Lydia And Her Alien Boss

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  Gryf almost looked like he wanted to lean a little closer and kiss her goodbye, but he looked around the shop, gave her a nod and left. After the door closed behind him, Carrie hurried over and bumped her shoulder.

  “He is totally into you.” Carrie beamed. “I bet there will be wedding bells in your future.”

  “Carrie, he just offered to look at my portfolio. I’m sure this is going to be a working dinner and nothing more. He was really sweet last night, but how would it look if I were to date my boss? Isn’t there a company policy against it? He can’t go around breaking his own rules.”

  “Then maybe he’ll change the company policy, because I really don’t see him

  backing down. He has you in his sights and I believe he means business.” Carrie nudged her again. “Admit it. You like him.”

  “What’s not to like?”

  “So, if he asks you out again tonight, will you say yes?”

  Lydia hesitated only a moment before nodding. Yes, if Gryf asked for another

  date, she would definitely say yes. He was kind and thoughtful, and she’d be an idiot to turn him away. Even if the dating agency hadn’t exactly paired them, it didn’t mean things couldn’t work out between them. And who was to say the dating agency would ever come through for her? It could be weeks or months before they found a match for her, if they found one at all. Just because she was open to a relationship with an alien, didn’t mean she was going to have one.

  The rest of the day passed quickly and Lydia was thankful when it was time to clock out. Her back was aching more than usual and her feet were hurting again. When she got home, she changed out of her uniform and put on yoga pants with a tank again.

  He’d already seen her at her worst, but maybe she’d get a chance sometime soon to show him her best. Her portfolio was stored on her laptop so she grabbed it before slipping on her flip-flops and heading out the door.

  They hadn’t agreed on a time for her meet him and she was anxious to hear what he thought of her work. She’d asked Scott for Gryf’s address, since the sexy alien had forgotten to give it to her, and it was easy to find his house. If you could call it a house.

  As far as Lydia was concerned, it looked more like a mansion. She parked her car in the circular drive out front and approached the front door. When she rang the bell, she could hear it echo inside.

  How long would it take someone to answer the door in place so big? Did he have someone to do something like that for him? Or did Gryf take care of himself? A place this big would need servants, she would think, in order to be maintained. It was obvious he had a gardener because the yard and garden were immaculate. Was the inside the same?

  Gryf answered a few minutes later, looking far too good with an open shirt and jeans. Either she’d caught him dressing or he just wandered his home looking like he was doing a magazine shoot. She wasn’t going to complain either way. The man had a set of abs that looked like they belonged in the WWE, or maybe on a Navy SEAL.

  Definitely lick-able. When her gaze finally snapped back up to his, she found him smirking at her.

  Busted!

  “I wasn’t sure when you wanted me to stop by. I brought my laptop,” she

  stammered.

  “Come in. We can go to my office and you can show me what you’ve got. We

  have a few hours until dinner. Since you’re early, we can drive to the diner together and just eat there.”

  “Shouldn’t I just follow you and go home from there?” she asked.

  “No, because I have a special surprise for you. You’ll want to return here, trust me.”

  Trust. She found that she trusted Gryf more than she did anyone else, which was strange since they had just met. It wasn’t like her to trust men so easily, and yet she knew somehow that he was worthy of that trust. At least, until he proved he wasn’t. He was a man after all, so he was bound to screw up at some point.

  She followed him through the house to an office at the back that overlooked a beautiful pool and lounge area. Was that an outdoor kitchen? She’d seen them online and in magazines, but she’d never thought she’d be up close to one. Just how rich did you have to be to have a kitchen in your backyard? The pool looked cool and inviting.

  Her apartment complex had one, but there was no way in hell she was wearing a bathing suit around the men who lived there. They looked like thugs, or at least most of them did. She was sure there were decent people living there, people like her who just didn’t make enough to live anywhere else.

  “We can sit at the table over here,” he said, motioning toward the windows and a table with four chairs. “There’s a plug nearby if you need to charge your laptop.”

  “I think it’s okay, but if the battery gets low I’ll plug it in.”

  Lydia sat down and opened her laptop. The machine was a few years old and a

  little slow, so it took a few minutes to get it turned on and get the files pulled up. She started with the Power Point presentation she’d created for her last class, then showed him some of the flyers and brochures she’d created. At the end, she showed him her estimate costs for both a paper campaign and an online media blitz.

  “Of course, if you have the money for it, there’s always television or radio. Some radio stations reserve spots for local businesses and artists to do a short on-the-air interview. The listeners find it entertaining and it’s free advertising for the company.

  You could also mention if you are hiring for any of your locations as a way to get the community involved.” She leaned back in her chair. “I saw your cute chalk board with the specials that goes up every day, but what else do you do right now?”

  “When I first opened, I placed some flyers at the library, the college, and posted some around town with non-human owned businesses. Since then, I haven’t really done anything. The company is in the black, but I’d like to turn more of a profit so I can pay my workers more without running the risk of bankrupting the company.”

  “Well, the college angle is a good one because college students drink a ton of coffee. The campus has their own television and radio stations, so we could either put together a mini commercial to go on TV there, or we could try to gain you a spot on the campus radio station. If you’re hiring, that might be a good way to get your foot in the door, since college kids are always strapped for cash.”

  He nodded thoughtfully.

  “As for something broader, are you wanting to focus on the town, the county, or the state as a whole? I don’t know where your other locations are.”

  “They’re all within this county, but different towns. What do you suggest?”

  Lydia tapped her fingers on the table. “Well, we could start with the local news station. Maybe we could come up with a gimmick like a special new drink for the summer or maybe donate a percentage of your profits on a particular day to a local charity, like the battered women’s shelter.”

  “Let’s do both. We can advertise the drink at the college and the donation on the local news. I can also mention that we’re hiring two baristas when I speak at the local college.”

  “Two?” Lydia frowned. “I thought we only had one opening.”

  Gryf gave her one of those heart-stopping smiles again. “Well, that was before I knew there was a marketing genius in my midst. As of this moment, you’re promoted to my marketing manager. I’ll need you to visit the other locations with me and help me get things moving there too, but we’ll focus on the store here first. I was thinking I could pay you thirty thousand a year, fund the last of your college courses, and once your degree is complete, we can discuss a raise.”

  Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “But, I…”

  “You don’t want the job?”

  “No! I mean, yes! Yes, I want the job, but are you sure? You could easily hire someone with more experience, someone with connections in town or in a broader area.

  I don’t want you to hire me just as a way to give me more money.”

  “The first th
ing you’re going to do is give notice at your apartment complex. And then you’re going to move in here.”

  “Here?” she squeaked.

  “Well, not precisely here. There’s a small guest cottage out back. You can’t see it from here because it’s around the side of the house behind some trees. You would have privacy and you would be nearby so we could discuss things easily. We can both work out of this office. I’ll get you anything you need.”

  So, it was a work thing. Still, she’d be close to him and she’d have access to that gorgeous pool. There were worse fates.

  “And rent?”

  “I’m not going to charge you rent, but I’ll let you handle your own cable. The utilities are something I already pay for and there’s really no way for me to tell how much of the bill comes from the cottage, so you won’t be able to pay me for that.”

  “If you’re paying my utilities, then I’m paying you something for rent.”

  “Count it as part of your salary.”

  Lydia narrowed her eyes. “If you’re counting it as part of my salary, then thirty thousand is too much.”

  He gave a bark of laughter. “Are you actually trying to make less than what I offered? Why would you do that? Lydia, you have a baby to think about. You’re going to need a crib and other baby furniture, not to mention diapers, clothes, bottles and stuff. Babies are expensive. Take the raise and the cottage and stop giving me grief over it.”

  “Fine.” She huffed out a breath. “I’ll take the deal, but I still think I’m getting the better end of things.”

  “There’s a small washer and dryer in the cottage so you should have everything you need, but you’re welcome to anything my house or yard can offer. Swim as often as you like, and if you want to invite friends over that’s fine. Just let me know if you’ll be entertaining in the backyard so I can prepare.”

  Lydia had to wonder if he would be this generous with all of his employees, or was it just her? And if it was just her, was it because she was pregnant or because there was an attraction between them? She supposed she could just ask him, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear his answer. If he wasn’t as attracted to her as she was to him, she didn’t think she wanted to know just yet. This was the closest she’d come to a potential boyfriend in over a year and she didn’t want to blow it.

  Gryf pulled out some folders from a cabinet across the room and handed them to her. Lydia opened the first one and flipped through his previous marketing strategies, or lack thereof, and also his financial reports. He was right; Espress Yourself was doing very well. Not well enough to give everyone a raise like he’d hoped, but maybe with a little publicity they could increase his numbers and everyone would be a winner.

  They discussed plans for another hour with Lydia making notes of calls she’d

  need to make the next day. While she worked, Gryf called a local printing company and ordered business cards for her, insisting that she would need them as his marketing manager. She smiled a little, feeling more grown up than she ever had before. She had a job most people would envy, with benefits that were out of this world, and she had Gryf’s trust—trust that she would help catapult his business to the next level. It was a challenge she gladly accepted.

  When she was finished for the night, she stood and stretched. Her back hurt so much she wasn’t sure she could stay standing for long, but Gryf had promised her food and her stomach was beginning to growl. He must have heard it because he chuckled and shut off his computer.

  “Ready to eat?” he asked.

  “Dinner sounds good. Then I need to go home and rest, I think. It’s been a long day.”

  “I emailed Scott to let him know you no longer worked as a barista at Espress Yourself and that you had been promoted to marketing. Instead of going in to work tomorrow, I’m going to meet you at your home around nine, if that’s not too early, and we’re going to start boxing up your things. A woman in your condition shouldn’t handle all of that alone.”

  “I appreciate all of your help, Gryf, but I can do some things on my own. I’m not helpless, despite where I was living and my current condition.”

  He smiled. “I never thought you were helpless.”

  “Very well. Nine o’clock tomorrow, but don’t expect me to be chipper. I’m not a morning person.”

  “I’m not either, until I’ve had at least two cups of coffee.”

  “I miss coffee. I stopped drinking caffeine because I read that it was bad for the baby. I’m partial to some of the decaf Frappuccinos at Espress Yourself. Even though I don’t get that jolt, I can pretend I’m drinking something that will wake me up.”

  “Well, let’s get that little girl fed and I’ll take you home. You can leave your car here tonight and I’ll bring you by after we pack tomorrow so you can pick it up.

  Although, I’m hoping we can get your entire apartment packed and moved tomorrow.

  What do you want to do with your furniture?” he asked as they walked out to his car.

  “It stays with the apartment,” Lydia said. “I rented it furnished.”

  “Well, that will make things easier. The cottage is already furnished. Hopefully, you will like it, but if there’s anything you want to change, you’re more than welcome to. I had a decorator fix the place up, same with this house, but our tastes may differ.”

  Lydia got into the car and buckled her seatbelt. “Gryf, I’m sure the cottage is nicer than anyplace I’ve lived in before. My parents weren’t rich, even though they made a decent living and we lived comfortably. And you’ve seen my place. Do you really think I’m going to find issue with the cottage?”

  “I just have heard that human women like their homes to be a certain way. I

  wanted you to know that you can change anything you want.”

  Lydia shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure the cottage is fine the way it is.”

  The diner was on the other end of town, not far from Espress Yourself. It looked quaint and Lydia couldn’t wait to try the food. They were seated immediately when they went inside, and the waitress took their drink order and left them with menus.

  Everything looked delicious and Lydia had a hard time deciding what she wanted. She finally settled on a pot roast sandwich with mashed potatoes. It had been ages since she’d had one, not since her grandmother was alive.

  While they waited for their food, Gryf talked about her new job a little more.

  What his expectations were, how soon he’d like to have the new campaign launched.

  He essentially wanted her to hit the ground running, and she was fine with that. Lydia was excited about her new job and couldn’t wait to get started, but if they were going to pack all day tomorrow, she wouldn’t get a chance to make those phone calls like she wanted. She mentioned as much to Gryf, but he said Monday would be soon enough.

  Lydia had hoped to have an interview scheduled for next week, but it didn’t look like that was going to happen.

  Lydia moaned in delight as she took a bite of her dinner and smiled

  appreciatively at the waitress when she brought a refill for her. She wasn’t sure how she could have lived in this town her entire life and had never heard of this diner before now. It was a treasure and she would definitely eat here again. Soon, if she had it her way.

  “I know I’ve essentially asked you to live with me,” Gryf said, “but I don’t want you to think I expect anything from you other than work. I know we’ve been on two dates now, and I’m hoping there will be more, but your job isn’t contingent on us hitting it off.”

  “I never thought it was.”

  “What brought you to Espress Yourself? You said you were having trouble

  making the drinks, so why get a job as a barista?” Gryf asked.

  “I was desperate for a job and Scott was kind enough to hire me. My parents

  threw me out when I told them about the baby and my living arrangements weren’t all that great. Wylen gave me a place to stay at his motel until
I could get my apartment and Scott let me start work the day after I was hired.”

  His expression darkened. “They threw you out? Knowing that you carried their

  grandchild?”

  “They didn’t care. Their reputation was more important to them.”

  “Then it sounds like you’re better off without them. I’m glad you made your way to my coffee shop and that Scott hired you. But I have to ask, if you have so much going on in your life right now, why sign up with the dating agency? Are you just looking for a father for your baby?”

  “No! It’s not…I mean, yes, a father for my baby would be nice, but I wanted

  someone to share my life with, someone who would be there to support me and stand by me no matter how difficult things got.” She chewed on her lower lip. “It was actually Carrie’s idea to go to the agency. She showed me a catalog of sorts that she’d picked up and I…”

  “You just flushed as red as a tomato. What were you thinking?”

  “I saw your picture. You’re actually the one I wanted to be paired with when I went there that day. I had wanted to take the catalog with me and point you out to whoever I talked to, but that seemed tacky.”

  Gryf smiled. “You wanted to go on a date with me?”

  “There was something about you, even on a flat surface, that made me want to

  get to know you better.” Her gaze skirted down his shirt. “And it wasn’t just your body.”

  He snorted. “Yeah, but that part didn’t hurt, right?”

  Her cheeks burned again.

  “You’re cute when you do that.” His grin broadened. “It makes me wonder just

  how far that blush goes.”

  If he didn’t stop, she’d be as red as a fire truck. It had been a while since a man had spoken to her with sexual innuendo. Actually, she’d always dated boys so she supposed a man had never talked to her that way. She couldn’t imagine what he saw in her. He couldn’t be sexually attracted to a woman with a baby bump, could he? If the smoldering look he cast her way was any indication, then yes, he was. It made Lydia tingle in all that right places as she thought about getting to run her lips and hands over every inch of his body.