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"And you think you can get this done with the budget you’ve set out here?"

"Yes, sir," I answered, toes frozen in their quest forposes

He smiled at me, then stood up

• • •

"and then he said, ‘Okay, you’ve got the job,’ and walked out! Just like that!" I squealed "I got the job!"

I was recounting the story to Simon, who had called est news of my professional career, and I had to share it with hireat! Oh, babe, that’s fantastic! Damn, I wish I was there to take you out to celebrate"

"I knoish you were here too But you can kiss on et back--we’ll celebrate then"

"I’ll for sure kiss on you, plus other things"

"Right now I’d settle for the kissing Let hed into the phone I could hear hiot out of hand

"Anyway, before things get out of hand--"

"You s in hand?" he replied in a husky tone

"Simon, control yourself Pretty sure you’re still in the airport, aren’t you?" I asked, h custo off on a technicality So talk ot the job, what’s next?" he asked, his voice taking on a businesslike tone I could tell he was struggling to maintain, so I went easy on him

"What’s next is I won’t coht back into the thick of it Seriously, I can’t even begin to tell you how busy I’ this is your busy season, because I will be swa final candidates for the new intern to the final touches on several projects that I’d norood, though, right?" he asked, and I grinned broadly

"Insane good, yes I’lad you understand what it’s like to be wrapped up in your work You’re kind of the best, Wallbanger"

"I aim to please"

"You do please; often," I whispered, h customs now, Caroline"

"Do you have any idea how ht of you almost roan

"Business or pleasure, Mr Parker?" I could hear an official-sounding voice say

"Pleasure, please," I answered naughtily, and Si up on you now" And he did just that

I fell back into the pillows, flushed and giggly The things that Wallbanger made me do

• • •

Text from Simon to Caroline fifteen et hoiveaside, congratulations I’m proud of you

I’?

Go chu it now?

Sigh You remember the first time you texted me? From Ireland?

I do

And you remember when I went across the hall and kicked your door?

There was a short pause Then:

You just did, didn’t you?

Maybe

Love you

Love you ot ain Jillian’s doorway I’d been trying to pin her down all week toon board, but she was booked solid with clients and last- in twentyfrazzled

"Well, I’ve interviewed all the interns and narrowed it down to three that I think you’ll want to meet with, and one is actually--"

"You pick, Caroline This is going to beoff her co her jacket off the coatrack

"U now? I thought I had twenty minutes!"

"I have to be there in twenty minutes, which estured for me to follow her

"Jillian, I need to talk to you about sos that need to be taken care of before you--"

"Caroline You’ve got this I trust you Hire the intern you think is best and I’ll sign off on it, okay?" she called out, walking past etting married, be happy, be happy, I chanted in my head

"Okay, but we need to have a serious po about sos before you leave I don’t know if--"

"Make a list of everything we need to go through, then e-ht and we’ll talk first thing to down the stairs and out the front door, calling back over her shoulder, "And congratulations on your first intern!"

I s car Hair perfectly done, killer heels, off to try on the wedding gown she was going to htly less expensive but still soht the eye of our receptionist "Hey, Ashley, can you call that last one, Monica, from Berkeley? Let her know she’s our new intern," I said One task down, I headed back to my office to tackle the next thousand

chapter five

The nextin Jillian’s office when she arrived As asked, I’d sent her my list of questions and tasks that needed her approval or input before the wedding We had lots to discuss, but fore back

"Wow, you’re here early," she exclai her scarf

I arched an eyebrow at her "Hey,ured I better nab her while I could"