I kick at his leg and he dodges it with a chuckle.

Another woman appears by my side. In front of her, she holds a tray of white cupcakes. They look incredible. She smiles from me to James and asks, "Would you like to try our newest flavor combination?"

My brain can't form words to answer this question. I look back up at James with a smile that is so goofy it borderlines special. His shoulders shake in silent laughter. "Yes, please."

We both take a cupcake, and without thinking, I remove the wrapper and shove the entire thing in my mouth. As soon as the sweetness. .h.i.ts my tongue, I have a mouthgasm. My eyes roll into the back of my head as I garble, "Holy s.h.i.t, that's amazing." James nods in agreement, biting into his cupcake like a normal person.

The older woman tells us, "This one's a light vanilla base with white choc macadamia ganache."

But I physically can't right now. I lean back into my boss and rest my head on his shoulder. "Jesus C. I can't even. That was just...I'm not even...so, so good. So d.a.m.n good." His shoulder bobs and I know he's laughing at me again, but I don't even care.

The woman smiles at me. "You like?"

Prying my now-sleepy eyes open, I respond through a sigh, "I love."

Her nose wrinkles with amus.e.m.e.nt. She turns to her co-worker. "Verna, add one of these to this young lady's sample boxes."

My eyes snap open. "No way."

Behind the counter, an amused Verna replies with a soft shoulder shrug, "Way."

I turn to James, bottom lip trembling with emotion. "Best day ever."

I'm not surprised when he wraps an arm around my shoulder and squeezes. But I am surprised when he lowers his lips to my ear and whispers, "You're adorable." I'm surprised, because James ticks all the boxes for me. He's attractive, tall, and sweet as sugar, but the spark...it's missing.

Stupid son of a spark b.i.t.c.h. Show yourself! I know he said he doesn't date employees, but he didn't mention anything about having s.e.x with them. I mean, I'm due, for crying out loud! It's been forever since I've had s.e.x, and right now, James is looking like a mighty fine contender. He's also been giving all the go-ahead signs. Or, at least, I think he has. Maybe I'm just hoping he's sending those signs, and because I'm h.o.r.n.y, the horniness is fogging my intentions radar.

What's worse is that my once-a-night happy time has come to a halt. Imagine my surprise when my first night in New York, I settle into bed and reach for Mr. Squeal-A-Lot, only to be reminded I removed the batteries before I packed it. If I had gone to Nat's at eleven pm and asked her for batteries, the s.k.a.n.k would've given me that look. The one that says 'I know what you need these for, you dirty Gertie'. Not to mention, she probably would've told Ash. Screw that.

Mental note: Buy a pack of batteries.

On second thought...

Revised mental note: Buy a bulk pack of batteries.

Maybe James can be my very own personal happy time friend. I must look into this, but not too far. I don't want to end up being that girl. Or better yet, that employee.

Mental shudder.

Testing the waters, I wrap my arm around his waist and squeeze back, smiling up at him. "Back at ya." I allow my arm to linger around his solid body, liking the feel of him very much. I expect a reaction of some sort, a change in demeanor even, maybe for him to stiffen in uncertainty or for him to give me s.e.xy eyes, but I'm shafted. I get nothing.

Friendly James is just that. Friendly. So friendly that as I reach into my pocket to get money to pay for my cupcakes, James reaches over and pays for all three boxes without ever releasing his hold on me. I'm speechless, and quite frankly, I feel slightly uncomfortable about it. That is until he pulls me closer to him and utters, "Don't be p.i.s.sy. It's just a welcoming gift." Nose bunched in annoyance, I glare at him. He just smirks. "Welcome to New York."

I take our bags full of cake and allow James to lead me out of the bakery. It's close to six pm now, and I reach into my pocket to check the subway schedule. We walk in silence until I realize I've just missed my way home. "c.r.a.p. I gotta call my sister to come get me."

"I can take you home." I look up at him with a tentative look on my face. He drawls, "That is, if it's not weird for you."

Dude, he already knows where you live from your paperwork. What gives?

I guess so. But something feels off. My silence is making this awkward. "Um, sure. Only if it's not out of your way."

He asks, "Where do you live?" I prattle off the address and he a.s.sures me, "That's actually on my way, so no biggie." We walk down the street to the center's parking lot. He walks over to red family sedan and unlocks it. I smile to myself. This is not the car I envisioned him having. When we're both seated, he catches my smile. "What?"

I shake my head. "I thought you'd have a truck, or something manly."

He shrugs. "This was my mom's car." Then he grins sheepishly. "My truck's at home."

"I knew it!" I clap my hands together and whoop.

We drive out of the parking lot. "Yeah, yeah. You win at life. Congratulations."

I laugh out loud. "Oh my G.o.d, you're, like, so funny." As he drives, we talk about work. James explains tomorrow will be a busy day, as Wednesdays usually are. We talk, laugh, and joke, and it feels like only minutes before we're at my apartment building.

He pulls into one of the free s.p.a.ces and I free myself from the seatbelt. I smile over at him. "Thank you so much. I had so much fun this afternoon." I think a moment, and admit reluctantly, "I have a lot of fun with you, James."

"You're welcome. Anytime you need help with something or don't know where something is, let me know. I'm volunteering to show you around." He pauses a moment before adding, "I have a lot of fun with you too. I didn't know when I hired you I'd be making a friend."

My heart swells. Before I have a chance to think on it, I lean forward and throw my arms around him. I hug him hard. "Me too. And you don't know how much I needed a friend, so thank you."

I feel him hesitate, but his arms slowly come around me. I rest my chin on his shoulder as he mutters, "You're welcome."

And that's about the time a harsh knock sounds at my door. My heart jumps in time with my body. I squeak and turn around to see Ash staring into the car window. I wave and smile. He doesn't smile back.

Oh h.e.l.l. He's p.i.s.sed.

The car door opens, and my cupcakes and I are pulled outside. He growls, "Get inside. Now."

What the h.e.l.l? Where is this coming from?

James's eyes fixate on Ash. He glowers at him and utters in false calm, "I wouldn't do that again if I were you." I'm so confused right now.

Asher stands just outside of the open car door. "Mind your own f.u.c.king business, jerkoff. You make a f.u.c.king habit of driving home your employees and getting touchy with 'em in dark parking lots?"

Oh no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no! My eyes widen. I tug on Asher's arm. "It wasn't like that, Ash. G.o.d! You don't even know him!"

But he doesn't even hear me. He grins cruelly towards James. "I think you just lost your job, boss." He points upward towards the security camera pointed directly at the car.

f.u.c.k! He would dare!

...would he?

Panic turns me into a crazy woman. I pull Asher back by his arm enough to get him away from the car, and then I push at his chest with all my might. He finally looks down at me with a scowl. I push him again and snarl, "I am not my sister. You don't have the right to pull s.h.i.t like this! Get out of here, Ash! Just leave!"

Ash just blinks at me. "You serious? He's f.u.c.king playing you, Lena!"

My body shakes with anger. I hiss through gritted teeth, "Not everyone is like you used to be, Ghost."

The shot hits its target. His eyes widen a moment. He looks ready to attack me, but then a bored look replaces Asher's concern. "You know what?" He starts to walk away. "Forget about it."

I quickly look towards James. "I'm so sorry. He's not usually like that. He was way off. I promise you you're not going to lose your job."

James doesn't look at me. Jaw steeled, he looks down at the steering wheel and mutters, "He's right."

"What?" I'm shocked.

He looks over at me. "I said he's right. I shouldn't be treating you the way I am. I shouldn't have put my arm around you today, and I definitely shouldn't have put my arms around you just then. If anyone had seen us, I'd have been in deep s.h.i.t. I'm sorry, Helena, for being so inappropriate with you."

His change of demeanor is making my heart hurt. Have I just lost my friend? "But I liked it," I a.s.sure him wholeheartedly.

He smiles sadly at me. "That's the problem." He starts the car. "I did too."

He reaches over and closes the car door before driving away, leaving me standing in the middle of the parking lot, wondering if I just lost my job as well as my friend.

I don't know how much time pa.s.ses before I hear a car beep behind me. I turn to see Nat smiling and waving at me through her car windshield. As soon as she sees my expression, her face falls. She quickly occupies the parking spot James had used and jumps out of the car. "Okay. Whose a.s.s do I need to kick?"

I'm still in shock. I can't believe that just happened. Shaking my head, I tell her, "No one's. Just a s.h.i.tty day."

She wraps an arm around me and coos, "Naw, cheer up, glum chum. We're going to Tina's for dinner!" She shakes me back and forth in a silly dance, and cheers, "Yay! Free dinner! Poor people love free dinner! You should be ecstatic!"

Stupid sister, making me laugh when I really want to cry. "You're a dork."

She bunches up her nose. "Yeah, well, you smell bad. And that's not even a joke. Get upstairs and wash your stinky b.u.t.t." We make our way upstairs together while I half-listen to Nat tell me about her day. When we reach our apartments, she pushes me to my door. "You got a half-hour to get ready. And by half-hour, I really mean twenty minutes."

As soon as I unlock my apartment door, I fish my wallet and work ID out of my pocket and throw them onto the counter. Holding my cell in my hand, I quickly type out a text.

Me: I'm so sorry, James. I understand you'll probably want to stay away from me, but I need to know. Are we still friends?

A minute pa.s.ses before my cell pings.

James 'The Boss' Whittaker: Of course.

My gut clenches. Great. From hugging and joking, to a two-word response. Talk about being demoted. I walk from the kitchen into the bathroom. I throw on the light and step inside. "Motherf.u.c.ker!" I shriek as I'm attacked from behind. Needle sharp teeth bite into my ankle and teeny claws firmly wrap around my foot. As I lift my foot high in the air and shake it, kitten securely attached, I wonder if today can possibly get any worse.

Surely not.

At least, I hope not.

Chapter Sixteen.

Helena "I mean, I just don't see the need for them, is all. They look so poofy and stupid. Who the h.e.l.l uses them these days anyways?" questions Nat. I've only been half-listening to her as we drive from the apartments to Nik and Tina's house. "h.e.l.lo? Earth to Helen!"

That catches my attention. "Don't call me Helen, b.i.t.c.h."

She turns in her seat to look at me in the back seat while Ash drives. "We're discussing something serious here. I need you to tell me I'm right."

Looking out the car window, I rest my chin on my balled fit and sigh. "Sorry. What are we discussing?"

"The banning of the cravat worldwide."

I bunch my nose. "We're Croatian. Croatians invented the cravat. In fact, cravat is a French term meaning 'in the style of the Croat'. I don't want to ban the cravat. Ties exist because of the cravat. I like the cravat. I like ties too."

This has peaked her interest. Her brows rise. "No s.h.i.t?"

I nod. "No s.h.i.t."

She turns in her seat. Then she announces, "I say we get the cravat back into fashion. I'll discuss with Tina." Smirking, I look into the rearview mirror to find Asher looking at me. My smile falls and I quickly look away. Stupid man. Stupid, nosey man. Ruining my life and such.

Finally, we arrive at Tina's house. As soon as we're parked, Nat jumps out and heads towards the front door. I move to follow, but a hand at my elbow stops me. "Wait."

My shoulders stiffen at Asher's urgent tone. "What?"

"We need to talk."

s.n.a.t.c.hing my elbow from his grip, I walk away from him. "No. We most certainly do not."

When I walk inside, I find Tina there rubbing her swollen belly. She smiles at me. "Hey, sweetie!"

I hug her tightly. "Hey, s.e.xy mama."

She squeezes me. "I feel so bad for not having you over earlier, but with the kids, and work, and everything in between," she frowns, "I really don't have a good excuse other than I've been busy."

We pull away from each other and I reach for her hand. "You're busy incubating my nieces or nephews. You're forgiven. A thousand times over."

It's almost as if she can't help herself. She grips my cheeks and kisses them both. "I love you."

"Love you more, Teeny."

Mimi spots me and winks. "Shake that a.s.s, baby."

I grin at her and add a little sway to my step. When I reach her, I turn. She places both hands on my b.u.t.t cheeks and squeezes. A silence encompa.s.ses the room. I look around to find all the men in the room looking down at Mimi's hands. Trick, Nik, and Max have an identical dreamy look on their faces, while Asher's lips twitch. Trick suddenly announces, "I have to use the bathroom," at the same time Max states, "I'm needed in the kitchen."

They both scatter, and Mimi cackles. "f.u.c.king amateurs," she taunts, then she kisses my cheek. "How you doing, babe?"

Thoughts of this afternoon swarm my head. I force a smile. "Fine. Just fine."

A look of confusion crosses her face. She sniffs the air and utters, "I smell bulls.h.i.t."

I roll my eyes. "It's nothing."

Before she can dig, I move over to Lola and wrap my arms around her from behind. "Lola, why are men d.i.c.ks?"

She pats my arm, leans back into me, and laughs through her nose. "I realize I should have the answer to this question, being that Trick is Trick, but I don't." She pouts. "Sorry."