“I thought it was great.” He kicks water up, splashing my legs, and I giggle.

“Well, it’s not a career.”

“What if you had kids?” he asks and I immediately shut down inside. I do not want to have this conversation. I’m not ready.

“Don’t go there.”

“It’s a valid question.”

“Kids aren’t even on my radar, Nate.”

“What is on your radar, Julianne?” We aren’t looking at each other, we’re just walking, hand in hand, through the water, watching the waves and the birds.

“You. Work. Family.” I shrug. “That’s plenty for now.”

“As long as I make the list, baby.”

“You’re at the top these days, ace.” I smile sassily, and try to lighten the mood. “In fact, I like it when you’re on top.”

He laughs, a full-on belly laugh, and splashes my legs again. “Okay, funny girl.”

***

Pedicures tonight after work?

I send the text to Natalie and resume reading a report on my desk. I have so much to do! Three reports to write, Nate sent me a list of items he needs researched, and we have a meeting in just a few minutes.

My phone pings with a response from Natalie. Sure! I’ll bring Liv. She’ll sleep.

Perfect! Can’t wait to see you both. Will call when I’m on my way to pick you up.

I smile and gather my coffee and things I need for the meeting. I’m so excited to see Nat and the baby. It’s just what I need.

We all file into the conference room and sit in our usual places. We don’t have assigned seats, but we are people of habit, and always sit in the same chairs. There are six of us; Nate and I, Mrs. Glover to take notes, and the other partner, Mr. Luis and his team, Carly and Ben. Mr. Luis is in his mid-forties, graying and pot-bellied. He’s a shrewd business man, and is not at all friendly in the office. He’s all business.

Ben is much the same way. He’s about my age, not much taller than me, thin and wears glasses. He’s handsome, and very intelligent. He’s not rude, he’s just all about business, which I can respect and even admire.

I have no idea if either man is married or what their private lives consist of, and that’s just fine by me.

Carly sits across the table from me, dressed in a green shift dress, her red hair pulled back in a bun. She looks over to me offers me a fake, brittle smile.

I don’t reciprocate.

I glance casually over at Nate and he’s watching our exchange, running his forefinger over his lower lip in thought.

My fingers unconsciously touch the silver heart at my neck. My birthday diamonds are in my ears and I’m wearing my birthday tennis bracelet. I’m draped in my man, he’s sitting three feet from me, and I can’t touch him.

It’s a little weird.

When everyone is settled, Mr. Luis begins the meeting, bringing us all up to date on account statuses, what needs to be worked on and what’s not working at all, then he turns it over to Nate.

He passes around some of the reports I put together this morning to each of us. “Miss Montgomery put these reports together this morning. I’d like to go through them now, since I have you all here.”

As he methodically works his way through the reports, I find myself able to focus and concentrate on the work, and it makes my stomach settle. I was worried that we’d ruined this for me; that it would always be a struggle, and I’m relieved that I answer his questions appropriately and professionally, and no one would ever guess that we are anything but colleagues.

As we all begin to file out after the meeting, Nate says to me, “Miss Montgomery, I’d like to see you in my office in ten minutes, please.”

Huh. “I’ll see you then.” I nod and head back to my office, close the door, and exhale. Another meeting accomplished without any screw ups.

Win.

***

“You can go on in, Miss Montgomery.” Mrs. Glover smiles warmly at me as I walk past her desk toward Nate’s office.

“Thanks.” I knock once and walk into his office. “You wanted to see me?”

I close the door behind me and smile over at my hot executive boyfriend. He’s in another one of his dark suits with a white shirt and gray tie, his hair is pulled back.

He’s effing hot.

He steps out from behind his desk and crosses to me, and I’m suddenly crushed to his chest in a big hug. He smells fantastic; all fabric softener and coffee and Nate.

He reaches behind me and locks the door quietly and I pull back to look into his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just missed you this morning.”

“I’ve been right down the hall.” I chuckle and kiss his chin.

“I know, it’s not the same. Mondays suck, for more reasons than one.”

I know exactly what he means. We’ve just had the whole weekend together, all day, and now we’re back where we have to pretend.

“Hey, before I forget, I made plans with Natalie for after work.  We’re getting pedicures. So I won’t be at your place when you get home.”

“Okay. Are you coming over when you’re done?” he asks.

“I think I’ll just go home, Nate. I have a mountain of laundry to do, and I’ve barely been there over the past few weeks. One night apart won’t kill us, you know.”

He frowns and runs his fingertips down my face. “I’ll go to your place tonight.”