Page 19 (1/2)

Chapter One

Christopher

Thump Thump Thump

I al the lobby of reen orb, I look around until I locate the owner: a s on the couch in the waiting area with a serious problem on her hands: her toys have spilled out of her backpack, and she's desperately trying to shove them back in

Bennett Enterprises is large enough that we added an on-site daycare a while back, but this is the first ti up tothe ball

"You lost this"

The girl snaps her head up, her blue eyes wide and thankful as if I just saved the day

"Thank you" She grabs it fro it to her chest like it's herit in the backpack She's in a frenzy, hopping down fro her dark brown hair away from her face

"What's your name?" I ask her

"Chloe"

"I'm Christopher"

"Wow! Both our nain with C"

Sitting on my haunches until I' conspiratorially, "That's because we're cool"

An ear-to-ear grin lights up her set about her troubles Then she directs her focus on the reception desk Ah, she must be here with a visitor That explains why she's in the waiting area Visitors must check in at the reception desk first, so they're directed to the correct floor Currently, there's so on at the desk, so it looks like little Chloe still has so to do

"This is yours?" I ask, picking up a small Rubik’s Cube that slipped just under the couch Chloe nods, holding the backpack open so I can drop it inside Color me impressed I'm the Chief Operations Officer of Bennett Enterprises and a shareholder Throw any issue my way, and I can fix it A Rubik’s Cube? I'm stumped

"Chloe,” a female voice says behind me, “we can—"

Several mishaps occur at the same time At the sound of the woman's voice, I abruptly rise to ht-on collision Stepping back, I realize the wo a cup… and spilled all its contents on e was lukewarm, not hot But my shirt looks as if I crawled across a muddy street

"I'm so sorry It was hot chocolate It'll wash out," she says, de my attention

Damn

She's tall, with broaves falling over her shoulder, green eyes piercing , and I' a beautiful woman is hands-down the best way to start a day, even if it comes with hot chocolate on my shirt

"I'll pay for your dry cleaning" Her shoulders turn rigid as she assesses the dae to my shirt

"Don't worry about it," I reply, because by the looks of it, she has enough to worry about already When Chloe tugs at her hand, I put two and two together Chloe is here with her, which hter Instantly I check her hand for a ring because I'

"His name starts with C," Chloe tells her "Like mine"

"Oh! You're Christopher Bennett, aren't you?" If possible, her shoulders tense even more That’s not the usual reaction I cause in women