𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫 | 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢

Gift Giver

Cheryl cleared her throat. "Toni, this is Jason, my assistant."

The man scoffed, "Come on, Cher. We're practically siblings. Just because that's my title at work doesn't mean you have to introduce me to a beautiful woman like that." He winked.

She clenched her jaw, "Jason, this is Toni, the twins' new nanny and a woman of impeccable virtue."

Jason eyed her weirdly, "That's a strange way to introduce someone."

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Oh, Cheryl knows all about my virtues."

"It must be hard to sleep with her down the hall, huh?" Jason grinned and nudged at Cheryl.

He went to say something else, but Cheryl shot him a glare.

"Ah. I'll take that as my cue to leave."

"Yes. I believe we have a family dinner to get to so.." Cheryl said, already starting down the hall toward the kitchen.

I panicked. If she went now, it'll ruin the surprise. I had to do something.

"Wait!" I yelled after her. "I, uh, have something I need to discuss with you! In.. private?"

She paused before slowly nodding. "Oh. Of course. My office okay?"

"I'll see myself out. Happy birthday, Cheryl. Toni, it was a pleasure." He gave me a brief handshake and then left.

Cheryl and I began down the hall toward her office.

She walked over to the cabinet and poured the two of us some bourbon. "So, what did you want to talk about? Nothing serious I hope."

"Actually I wanted to ask about my performance."

"Oh?"

I nodded, a smirk on my lips. "I realized earlier that I've been at this for a couple weeks now, and I wanted to make sure that you're getting everything you want from me."

Cheryl's hand froze midair. "Everything I want from you?" Her eyes shot up to meet mine. "Yes, you could say that."

She held my gaze for another beat then offered me a glass. "Sorry about Jason, by the way. We were practically raised together, but I know he can be a bit much. I hope he didn't make you feel too awkward."

I shook my head. "Oh, well I can handle him. I've become a master of the art of polite rejection."

"Cheers to that."

We chuckled and clinked our glasses together.

"So, how's the birthday stack up so far?" I asked.

"It's hard to judge since it isn't over yet. But it'll be pretty hard to beat the one a few years back when the twins tried to make me a birthday banner." Cheryl laughed. "It said 'Heepy Bertdai' under a big doodle of what I think was supposed to be me? Not the most flattering portrait, but they tried."

"Please tell me you still have it." I grinned.

She nodded. "Of course. It's in the hall closet."

It went quiet before Cheryl spoke again, "What about you, Toni? Tell me about your favorite birthday."

I didn't have to think twice. "That would be the one where my friends kidnapped me."

Her eyes widened and I giggled over her facial expression.

"Once, my friends decided to throw me a surprise birthday party. They devised a plan to 'kidnap' me for the ultimate surprise. I was blissfully unaware as I sat on my couch, binge-watching my favorite show. "