Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
Asher
It was Friday, again. We’d both worked hard this week, finishing up the international bridge and making the last tweaks on the various departmental apps.
It was also technically Emma’s last day. When she told me this morning that she was going to be late today, I was okay with it. But when I asked why, she wouldn’t tell me.
I wasn’t happy with her keeping secrets, but I let it go for now. Things between us were going smoothly, and I was ready to take our relationship to the next level. I was nervous about it mainly because I wasn’t sure how Emma felt.
Yes, she seemed happy, and we were well matched in and out of bed. While I didn’t have the best track record when it came to relationships, I really felt it was different with Emma.
Picking up the phone, I got Miles and John on a call. John had offered Emma a job if she wanted it; I was going to make sure that offer was still on the table. I was just hanging up when the object of my thoughts breezed into the office.
“I’m free.” She twirled around with her arms in the air.
“What do you mean?” Was she happy our working together was coming to an end? My heart dropped to my toes.
“I quit Tri-O-Tech.”
My mouth dropped open. “That’s what you were doing?”
“Yes. After finding out Greg and Lee were trying to ruin my career, and with what I realized was the toxic environment at Tri-O-Tech, I decided I’d had enough.”
“But your promotion?”
“Not important. I decided a while back it wasn’t worth it, and I was going to decline.”
“You’re not upset you don’t have a job?” This played right into my hands in convincing her to stay.
“No. I feel as if a weight has lifted.”
“Good. Then I hope this will make you even happier?”
“What?”
“I want you to come to work with me here at Fantasies, Inc.” I held my breath.
Her eyes grew wide. “Here? Permanently?”
“Yep.” Standing, I encircled her waist and held her close. “John is on board. Remember the job offer? It’s still on the table.”
“I...” Tears filled her eyes.
“Hey…”
“I’m so overwhelmed. Asher, I can’t believe you did this for me. Won’t Ben and the others be upset?”
“Are you kidding? Ben, Tim, and Will adore you. Just as I love you.”
“You love me?” The astonishment in her voice made me chuckle.
“I do. I think I fell in love with you when you walked into the building that fateful morning.”
“Oh Asher.” She rested her head against my chest. “I…”
“Hey.” Cupping her chin, I lifted her head, dismayed to see tears in her eyes. “Baby, don’t cry.”
“I love you too.”
I stared at her, taking in every curve of her face, the curl of her eyelashes, and the wispy curls at her temples before I grinned. “When did you realize you loved me?”
“I think during the whole hacking/ransomware issue. You let me do what I needed to and didn’t try to interfere. You are such a special man.”
“What did I do to deserve your loyalty?”
“You see me.”
“I will always see you. Do you know how hard it’s been decoding you?”
“Decoding me? Are you telling me…”
I chuckled. “Yes, I’ve been working hard at trying to figure out how you tick, and while I don’t have it down pat, I do understand you better.”
She laughed. “Now that we have that out of the way. When do I start becoming a permanent employee?”
“When you say yes.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me.
“Good. Everything will be official Monday, but for today? I have plans for us.”
“What type of plans?”
“Me.” I pointed to myself. “You.” I pointed to her. “And a beach house where we can be alone for the entire weekend, and I don’t even care if I don’t see the beach.”
Emma laughed. “Sounds like a plan to me.”