by Scott, Lisa
“Really?”
She nodded and opened her eyes. “I’m stupid to let my own insecurities keep us apart. You’re incredible. I can’t believe you trusted me with this party. You value my thoughts and ideas. You think I’m important. Something I’ve never thought about myself.”
He hugged her. “I don’t have enough words to describe you, Lizzy. Where would I be without you? You saved me from making some big mistakes. My father is very happy with how things are going at Dunner.”
She set her hand on his chest. “But that’s work. What about you? I’ve disappointed you twice. Can you give me one more—”
He lips were on hers before she could say, “chance.”
“That’s a yes?”
“It’s always been yes.” He stepped back and turned around, surveying the place. “I never imagined this was possible.”
“Me neither.”
A shrill voice behind them asked, “Do tell—who was your event planner for this?”
Lizzy recognized the voice and whirled around. “Jillian?”
“Lizzy darling! How are you?” She faked kissed Lizzy’s cheeks and stepped back to look at her.
“I’m great. And you?” Lizzy asked.
“The new job is fabulous.” Then Jillian pouted. “But my fish died after all these years.”
Lizzy faked a cough. “I’m so sorry.”
“I suppose they can’t live forever, can they?” Jillian spotted Ryan. “And who is this?” she purred.
“The guy who took your job,” Lizzy answered.
Jillian dropped Lizzy’s hands and moved over to face Ryan. “Hello.” She looked him up and down. “How’s it been filling my shoes? Can’t be easy. I was a legend.”
“Very true,” he said. “But Lizzy’s been helping me out.”
“Lizzy?”
“This party is her work.”
“Really?”
Ryan beamed at Lizzy.
“How lovely.” Jillian wrapped her hand around his arm. “Why don’t you and I get to know each other? We can share notes on that wacky place.” She lowered her voice. “Did I leave behind any lingerie? Did you know the couch in my old office pulls out?”
Ryan cringed and pulled his arm away. “I’m in the process of having that replaced.”
Lizzy reached for his hand. “And he’s with me.”
Jillian stepped back. “Oh? Oh, my. How did you manage that?”
Ryan shrugged. “I have no idea why she’s settling for someone like me.”
Lizzy’s heart swelled.
Jillian gave them a great big, fake smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to check out the champagne waterfall. I should have one of those installed in my new office.”
They watched her walk away. “That’s Jillian,” Lizzy said. “You sure you want to risk your work reputation by dating one of the employees?”
“I don’t want to risk permanent wreckage to my heart by not.”
She blinked at him. “Swoon.”
He kissed her cheek. “There’ll be lots more swooning later. But first, let’s introduce people to the woman behind this vision.” He tugged her toward the crowd.
Shelby waved them over, Jared by her side. He introduced himself to Ryan. “Glad to see corporate took my recommendations to keep Dunner’s unusual methods in place.”
“We’ve tweaked them a bit, but it’s been going well,” Ryan said.
Lizzy beamed at him. She was so proud of his accomplishments. “Six new clients since he started.”
“And no poisonings, so that’s a big improvement,” Shelby offered.
Ryan looked confused.
“There were some questionable brownies once, and Jared seemed to think champagne in the water cooler was too much,” Shelby explained.
Jenny and Nolan came over with a couple Lizzy didn’t recognize. “Guys, this is Tom and Joy. Joy was our receptionist before you took the job, Lizzy,” Jenny said.
“Right, you went to New York. How is it?” Lizzy asked.
“Amazing,” Joy sighed.
“She’s amazing,” Tom said. “She’s going to be on a billboard for a lip gloss ad next month.”
“I always knew all that makeup would pay off for you,” Jenny teased.
Joy made a kissy face at her, laughing.
“I’m impressed the two of you are together still,” Shelby admitted. “Angry, because I lost a bet, but impressed.”
Tom put his arm around Joy. “I never had any doubt.”
“You look so gorgeous in that Godiva commercial,” Jenny said. “I think of you every time I eat one of their fine chocolates.”
Nolan smiled at Jenny. “Which is often.”
“And good for you, because it keeps me sweet.” Jenny kissed his cheek.
Lizzy and Ryan spent the next few hours chatting with clients, setting up meetings, and basking in the praise. As the crowds cleared out, Lizzy spread the word that Dunner employees should stick around for a special surprise.
“What’s this big surprise we’re supposed to wait for?” Shelby asked. “Why don’t I know about this big surprise?”
“There’s a big surprise?” Ryan asked. “Bigger than the awesomeness of this party?”
Lizzy bit her lip, barely able to contain herself. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Jenny and Nolan were busy inhaling helium from the balloons. “What’s the surprise?” they asked in their munchkin voices.
The sound of rustling and snapping twigs came from the trees behind them. Everyone turned to look. It was Jillian pulling some poor guy by the tie toward the parking lot.
“Is that Gerard?” Lizzy whispered.
“It is,” Ryan said. “I think he’s going to be much more laid back at work now that he’s finally getting—”
“All right,” Shelby shouted. “Who had Gerard and Jillian hooking up by the end of the year in the office pool?” A few people headed toward her. “You’re looking at a big payday.”
The chatter and giggling stopped when Tristan and Charlotte came into the clearing, holding hands, her beautiful dark hair spilling over her bare shoulders. Fog swirled around the bottom of her puffy white gown like she was walking out of a dream.
Lizzy sighed. “This is so romantic.”
“She changed,” Jenny said. “Into a wedding dress!”
People cheered and whistled as a minister appeared. “Dearly Beloved,” he announced, “would you please join me by the hot air balloons to witness the marriage of Tristan and Charlotte?”
Everyone headed for the hot air balloons still tethered in the clearing.
“It was Tristan’s idea,” Lizzy told Ryan. “They met at work, why not get married at work?”
He grinned at her. “If that’s how you’re supposed to do things, does that mean we have to get married at our high school?”
“Isn’t it a little soon to be talking about marriage?” she asked.
“Not when a guy was thinking about it eight years ago.” He gave her a quick kiss and made a few interesting promises in her ear.
She wrapped her arms around him and made a promise of her own. “I’m never leaving you again.”
“That works out well, because I’m never letting go.”
Lizzy looked up at the stars sprinkled across the dusky sky and thanked karma, heaven, and Zeus for giving her a second chance with this man.
***
You’ve just read Office Flirts! 5 Romantic Short Stories. Check out the other Flirts! Collections: Flirts!, Beach Flirts!, Holiday Flirts!, Fairy Tale Flirts!, Wedding Flirts!, More Flirts!, Reunion Flirts!, and Fairy Tale Flirts 2! Most titles are also available in audio. Look for Magic Flirts! in early 2014, and more new volumes are on the way.
You might also enjoy Lisa’s romantic novella, Spouse Hunting. And try her Willowdale Romance series, with the short stories “A Fine How-De-Do,” “A Little Hanky-Panky,” and “A Perfect Setup.” Then read the novels No Foolin’ and Man of the Month.
Lis
a also writes children’s fiction as Lisa Ann Scott. Her debut novel, School of Charm, will be published by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins 03-01-2014.
From Lisa Scott, the Author
I hope you enjoyed reading Office Flirts! I’m a former TV news anchor who now enjoys making up stories instead of sticking to the facts. I’ve dreamed of writing professionally ever since penning my first creative writing assignment in second grade.
When not begging my husband and two kids for a few minutes of peace to write my stories, I work as a voice actor and putter around in my koi pond and garden in upstate NY.
If you liked this story, please tell a friend—I’m trying to spread the word that short stories are fun! And if you enjoyed it, please leave a review. I always love hearing from readers at [email protected]. If you like “Read Lisa Scott” on Facebook, you’ll get the latest news on upcoming releases. (Magic Flirts! is next, along with another Willowdale Romance novel.) Occasionally, I blog on my website, ReadLisaScott.com. Stop by and say hi! You can also sign up for my newsletter so you can be notified when a new book is out. (The link is at the bottom of my website homepage.) That is the only time I’ll contact you. Happy reading!
