Chapter Five

Ed liked sushi, but this crap from the grocery store was not what he’d call sushi. But it was going to have to do. He’d sent Darcy to a build to meet the foreman and help him get organized. If anything, Darcy McCary was the most organized woman he’d ever met, next to his Aunt Regan.

When he thought about it, there were a lot of similarities between the women. Not only did they have a similar look, but just the way they did things. They both made weak coffee, though he hadn’t told Darcy to alter it—not yet. They both were irritatingly tidy and crazy efficient.

In less than a week, Darcy had nearly organized Ed’s entire office, and every report he had stacked on his desk was now filed. All he had to do was say, “Darcy, where are we on…” and she knew.

His Aunt Regan had literally fallen into his Uncle Zach’s lap on a bus. Well, Darcy McCary had bumped into him at a Starbucks.

The thought sent heat rising to his forehead, and he broke out into a sweat. There was no need to keep thinking about her in terms of comparing her to his aunt. They worked together, and that was where it was going to stay—a working relationship.

They might have plans for Saturday night, but that was a business arrangement. He hated fundraisers, but the work his Aunt Simone did with her foundation was amazing. There was no way he’d miss it and not give her the support she deserved. But now he was dragging Darcy with him. Maybe he should tell her he’d be late and pawn her off on his brother.

Another wave of heat burst through him, and this time he reached for a tissue to wipe his face.

He’d be damned if he pushed Darcy in Christian’s direction. He’d seen his brother’s eyes when he’d brought her in that day. And why had he done that? Why was he being all neighborly and offering her rides in the morning so early?

Oh, that had him twisted inside. Darcy McCary was his assistant and off limits to his brother.

Ed shook his head. Dear Lord, he was losing his mind.

Why should he care if Darcy and Christian hooked up? He didn’t date women in the office. Christian was a good guy. But the thought gnawed at him until he finally threw the last three pieces of the crappy sushi in the trash and headed out of his office and to the break room to find a bottle of water—of which he wasn’t so sure wouldn’t be better used just being poured on his head.

Later that afternoon when Darcy returned, Ed found himself in a foul mood. The moment he heard her desk drawer, he was snapping at her to come into his office.

When she walked through the door, she had a quirky smile on her face. What could that be about?

“Did you get Davenport in line then?”

She nodded. “He’s a mess of a man, but he knew his stuff. I think he had coffee stains on every purchase order and a chocolate donut stain on every blue print, but he’s set to go now.”

Ed pursed his lips. “I guess you’ll be heading home now.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I have an hour left. Besides the bus I ride doesn’t pick up until five-thirty. Did you have a project you needed me to start?”

No, and he wasn’t sure why it had even been mentioned. He was too protective of this woman. Damn, he should have let her suffer with the ruined blouse and just hired a temp.

“No. I think I just ate some bad sushi for lunch, and now I’m irritable. Or maybe I’m hungry since I threw it away.”

Darcy nodded. “Would you like me to go down to the deli and get you something decent to eat?”

He shook his head. “No, but would you mind me giving you a ride home and maybe we could stop for dinner along the way?”

Darcy crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve worked for you almost a week, and you’ve fed me multiple times, found me a house, filled it with furniture, asked me to a fundraiser, and now want to take me to dinner again. Did I fall into the best job, or are you one of those lonely men who only keep company with people they employ?”

Well, that made him sound horrible. “I just thought…”

“I know. I’m a little testy when it comes to being taken care of. Sorry. I was raised to fend for yourself and make things happen. This has been a bit too easy, I suppose.”

“It’s your first week. I’ll be an ass on Monday.”

She laughed. “Maybe I should keep my mouth shut then.”

“So dinner?”

“I think that would be very nice. And thank you.” She turned to leave as her cell phone chimed with a text message. She looked at it and laughed.

“Tell me someone sent you a funny joke. I could use a laugh.”

She shifted her eyes to him under a hood of dark lashes and smiled. “It was your brother. He said I got a package, and he’d have it at his place. And this time he promises to have clothes on while I’m there.”

Darcy walked out of the office smiling. Ed, on the other hand, felt the heat, which had flustered him before, now creep around his collar.

He loosened his tie and unfastened the top buttons of his shirt.

It was a good thing he was taking her home. He had a few words for his little brother.

At five o’clock, Darcy opened his office door. “I didn’t know if you were ready to go or not.”

Ed shook his head. “I just got news of a delay. I’m on the phone with Valerie.”

“Her company has another delay?’

“No. She’s pulling us out of a pinch. One day you’re the guy with your head on the chopping block. The next you’re the savior.”

He sat back in his chair with the phone to his ear.

Darcy checked her watch. “Unless you need me, and I’m happy to stay, why don’t I get downstairs and catch that bus.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m sorry. I’ll be a bit, so that would be good. Valerie is headed over to help me out with this, so you’re good. Have a nice night.”

Darcy nodded and let herself out of the office.

Ed replaced the phone receiver and buried his face in his hands. He’d had the last hour to evaluate his earlier thoughts, and he’d decided the last thing he needed was to worry about Darcy. Starting now, he needed to put up a wall that divided his feelings. There was no place in business for feelings.

His cell phone chimed, and he looked at his text message. It was from Valerie.

I’ll meet you at Steve’s in 20. TY for the invite.

At least he hadn’t lied—not completely.