“Nah.” I shake my head. “It’s a fun hobby. I enjoy software design, and I have my father’s company. When he retires, I won’t have time to work on business strategy for others.”
“Well, you’re good at it, and I’m glad I caught you when you had time.” He raises his arms above his head and stretches his back.
“Please.” I laugh at his overinflated sense of my skills. “I didn’t do anything that amazing. This is your organizational plan, not mine. All I did was listen to your ideas and spin them a little.”
“Just wait.” The conviction in his eyes gives me goosebumps.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Daisy
“So, what did you think?” I ask as he pulls out of the shelter parking lot and turns onto the street.
“It was great. You were right. The owner has some amazing things going on. It’s too bad more wealthy people don’t find passion projects. They could make a difference in so many people’s lives.”
“Yes, they could.” I sink into the heated leather seats and inhale the mixed scent of leather and his cologne. It’s a heady mix that I’ll never get enough of. “I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. As I was finishing my interview application, a new client came in, and I was tied up for a couple of hours.”
“It was fine. I met a man and helped him with his business strategy.” The streetlights illuminate his face. “I believe it’s the husband of the woman you were talking about the other night. His name is Elijah.”
“Ruth’s husband. He’s been in a couple of days. I think they’ve got what it takes to make their relationship work.”
For several miles, we talk about the couple and Elijah’s business opportunities. It’s nice to have someone else to talk to about work. I never thought I’d date someone interested in the shelter. Hell, my dad hated it, so why would another man find it a worthy pursuit?
“Do you mind if I stop by the office on our way to my place?” He taps his fingertips on the steering wheel. “It’s only a few minutes from here. I need to pick up a file.”
“That’s fine.” I cross my legs and swing my foot. It will be interesting to see what the building looks like. I’ve seen him as a sexy stranger, a filthy professor, and as a swoon-worthy boyfriend, but I’ve yet to see the businessman.
“It was a blast working with Elijah on his business plan.”
“Is that something you’ve done a lot?”
“In college, I took a business planning course and loved it. I’ve worked with several entrepreneurs on their business plans over the years. Mostly friends. But it’s been years since I worked on one. I haven’t had the time.”
“Life tends to get in the way of passion projects, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.” He nods, grabs my hand, and says, “Yes, it does. I remember being a kid and not being able to wait to grow up, and then each year I get older, the more I wish I could stop time, and go back to when things were fun and exciting.”
“Why does it have to get complicated?” He’s right. When was the last time I was excited about going to medical school? Um, never. I don’t hate school, but it doesn’t get me out of bed in the morning. And plastic surgery? If I was planning to go to a third world country and provide free cosmetic surgery to make a difference in a child’s life, I’d be all over it. But as of now, it feels like a responsibility that’s weighing me down.
Stop. That’s adulthood. That’s what we’re supposed to do. We’re supposed to do the responsible and dependable thing.
The brick buildings get taller with every street we travel until they turn into multi-story cement and glass fortresses.
He stops in front of a gray multi-story building with floor-to-ceiling tinted windows. It looks like every other corporate headquarters in the world. “Nice building.”
“Yes, it is. My grandfather built it fifteen years before he died, so it’s still relatively new by building standards. My father upgraded the interior two years ago, so it smells like tile grout and leather.” He shuts off the engine and kisses the back of my hand. “Come in with me. I want to show you around.”
“Are you sure?” I glance around the lot. It’s empty except for a car at the back of the lot. The vehicle is unoccupied and appears to have been sitting there for several weeks, as evidenced by the parking tickets under the windshield wipers.
“It feels like we’re doing something naughty.”
“Daisy,” he growls. “Don’t say the word naughty. It instantly makes me want to do filthy things to you.”
My body fills with heat, and I retract my hand from his. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful of your job. I know how important this is to you.”
“No.” He cups my face. “You’re what is important to me. I was teasing you. Although, the word naughty does turn me on.”
“I’ll try and remember that, but I honestly wasn’t trying to imply anything inappropriate.”