That Secret Crush (Getting Lucky #3)(91)

MISS EVE ROBERTS.

“Happy graduation. Do you like it?”

I don’t answer right away; I can’t. Instead, I walk around the desk and drag my fingers over the cool surface. It’s . . . it’s perfect. A bouquet of fresh peonies rests on the shelves, pictures of me, Eric, and Reid are framed and perfectly placed, a large wooden sign with the words BOSS BABE inscribed on it is hung on the wall to the left.

It’s more than I could have ever dreamed of.

Tears fill my eyes as I finally look up at Reid. “It’s so perfect, more than I deserve.”

“You deserve more, but this is what I could put together at the moment. We can add to it once you get familiar with the hustle of the restaurant, but I figured this is a good start for now. And that empty frame over there is for your diploma.”

“This is a perfect start. This is so thoughtful and wonderful.”

He points to the computer. “Everything you’re going to need is downloaded and set up. The Wi-Fi password is ReidIsHot. Unfortunately, that can’t change.”

I smile, tears still brimming in my eyes. “All of this is really for me?”

He nods. “Yup. I talked to my dad and told him that since you’re the brain of the business, you should have a comfortable space, especially if we’re going to lean on you for everything. He agreed. I worked on the loft this week. I wanted to make sure it was ready before opening.”

“You did all of this yourself?”

“Well, Rogan helped. Even though I like to think I know how to build things, the shelving turned out to be trickier than I expected. I went up to Pottsmouth yesterday to pick up the desk and saw that sign at an art gallery up there and had to have it. You’re our boss babe. A strict but fair boss and one hell of a babe.” He winks, and a smile pulls at my lips.

“I can’t believe you did this.” I look him in the eyes. “Thank you, Reid. This means a lot to me. It’s truly a dream come true.”

“Well, happy graduation and congratulations on the new job.” He falls silent for a second. “I really wish I handled everything differently between us, but I realize I can’t go back and change that—all I can do is move forward and try to make things right.” He gestures around the office. “I wish I’d known this was what you wanted when we first started dating. I wish I’d known more about your dreams, about where you wanted to go with your life. But now that I do, I want to be there to support you. I know you’re going to do amazing things up here, Eve.”

With my throat dry and tight, my emotions heightened, I try to be grateful, but all I can muster without bursting into tears is a small smile and a nod.

“Well, I have to go. Meeting Eric to go over the kitchen installations. I’ll catch you later.”

As he starts down the stairs, I tell myself to call out to him, to pull him back up to the space so I can give him a hug, a proper thank-you, but I’m frozen in place, frozen in awe, in pure appreciation of what he’s done.

This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, hands down, and it was all Reid.

He said he was going to make things right. Well, this was a giant leap in that direction.



Knock. Knock.

I glance at my door and then the time. Ten o’clock. Did Eric lose his key? He was going out on a date with some girl he met on a dating app. I love my brother, but I also know him well enough to assume he probably won’t be coming back to the apartment tonight, not when his nerves are taking over. We are just over a week away from opening, and he’s getting jittery. When he’s like that, he needs to get his energy out somehow—and that means going home with his date.

So who else could be at my door?

As my suspicion builds, I set my notebook down and open the door to find Reid standing on the other side. He’s leaning against the doorjamb, holding a bag, and sporting a heart-melting grin.

“Hey.”

I give him a once-over: casual Adidas Joggers, a tight-fitting, long-sleeve T-shirt, a backward hat—casual but yummy.

“What are you doing here?”

He holds up the bag. “Late-night delivery. I heard you were working hard on final preparations and thought you might need some fuel.”

I cock my head to the side. “Are you trying to butter me up, Reid Knightly?”

“Yup,” he answers unapologetically before stepping over the threshold and making himself at home. He kicks off his shoes and heads straight for my kitchen, where he pulls down two plates.

Two.

Not just one but two. Which means he plans on staying, at least for a little bit.

I walk up behind him and try to peer around his shoulder to see what he brought, but he boxes me out. “Watch it—it’s a surprise, so why don’t you go sit down and chill while I get everything ready?”

“Get everything ready? It’s not just something you pull out and eat?”

“Not necessarily. Now go sit, maybe turn on some music or something so we don’t have to awkwardly listen to each other moan when we have this tasty little dish.”

“I don’t moan when I eat.”

He glances down at my crotch. “You sure as hell moan when I eat.”

My face flames, and heat rushes through my body as images of Reid between my thighs strike me all at once in a flood of naughty memories. Damn him.