Page 55 of Forbidden Dreams
I blew out a breath. "We had to prioritize, and everyone agreed these restrooms were last."
"I'm glad we have you to figure out the scheduling. I get so focused on the job I'm working. I forget about the big picture."
I leaned back in my chair. " I schedule jobs and order materials. I'm a glorified secretary."
He gave me a look. "You know that's not true."
How easy would it be to replace me when he finds out about Aspen? I should be more careful.
He gestured around us. "You're the glue that holds this place together."
"You only say that because you hate paperwork," I said dryly, signing into my computer.
"That much is true. You coming out to the ballroom today?"
"Yeah, let me check emails first," I said, pulling up my account.
"You know we need to hire someone to deal with the extra work. We're so focused on Christmas Town; we're neglecting other avenues of income."
"You're probably right about that. Especially if we get the contract at Hart Inn."
"Not to put one more thing on you, but—" he said with a smirk.
"But get on that?" I asked jovially. More work meant that I was indispensable to these guys, and that's all I wanted to be. I didn't want to be a guy you could just discard even if it felt that way sometimes.
He leaned back in his chair. "Thanksgiving is next week. We're going to get trees on Wednesday. You in?"
"I don't need a tree." My mind wandered to how Aspen enjoyed the holidays. Did she prefer to celebrate it solely with her family, or did she enjoy decorating her place.
I'd toured her place when the work was inspected. We'd added on a four-season room to make the apartment more inviting. And I heard that Aspen had filled it with greenery. Would she want a tree in her space, or would she expect one at my house?
What was I thinking? We weren't dating. She didn't expect anything from me, and that's how I liked it.
Hudson stood. "If you change your mind you're welcome to join the Sterlings cutting down our trees."
It would be a bad idea to go to a family event where Aspen would be. Everyone would know that we'd been intimate. How could they not?
I hated keeping a secret from them. They were my surrogate family. The support system I never had. I couldn't stand it if Maria and Matt were disappointed in me. I'd never forgive myself.
That meant I needed to break things off soon. We were quickly entering the holiday season, and that was a time for couples.
I walked Hudson to the reception area.
"You better keep this guy in line. He's coming in late to work," he said to Shayla.
She smiled. "That's the first time he's come in later than me since I started working here."
I grinned. "See? It was a one-time thing."
He slapped my shoulder. "You'll have to tell me about this late night sometime."
Never going to happen. "There's nothing to know."
He threw us a wave. "See you later."
I sighed as he walked out.
"He's fun." Shayla’s gaze followed him.
