Clashing with the CEO - Page 131

“Do you—” Neil cleared his throat. “Go ahead.”

“Could I come with you on Friday? I’d like to help at the animal shelter too.”

“Yes, but are you sure? We spend so much time together as it is. Don’t you want to get away from me on your day off?”

“No, I don’t. Do you want to get away from me? Because I don’t have to?—”

“Not at all. I would like you to be there.”

“Then I’d be happy to join you.”

“Okay, but I must warn you it’s hard work.” He cracked a slight smile. “I was about to say, ‘It’s not a walk in the park,’ but you do get to walk dogs in the park.”

I chuckled. Neil’s smile intensified, matched by a fondness in his eyes as he watched me laugh.

“But seriously, you’ll have to pick up dog doo and clean dirty kennels,” he said.

I crossed my arms. “I know that! I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty.”

“Good. Then it’s settled. We’ll both go. I’m sure they’ll be happy to have an extra pair of hands. I’ll let them know.”

“And I’ll move that meeting and inform the team we’re on leave on Friday.”

“Yes. Please do.”

He had a chuffed look on his face as he retreated to his office.

I daydreamed about what our animal shelter trip could have in store for us while I worked. Just the thought of Neil caring for animals was cuteness overload. I couldn’t wait.

As the day progressed, my excitement for Friday tapered off, replaced by a strange sensation tugging at the back of my mind. A feeling like I had forgotten something. I tried to dismiss it, but it wouldn’t go away. My thoughts returned to the shower in Neil’s apartment. I had been in such a rush to leave this morning… Did I forget something?

Suddenly, it hit me.

I gasped.

Chapter Forty-Six

My underwear.

I had left a pair of undies in Neil’s bathroom. At least, that’s what I worried had happened, because I couldn’t recall seeing them again after I returned home this morning.

I chewed my nails as I pondered what to do.

I’ll check my laundry basket when I get home. If they’re there, then good. If not, then I’ll have time to sneak back to Neil’s apartment and grab them before he gets home.

I was working through some of the finer details of my plan when Neil emerged from his office, making me jump. “I’ve just been on the phone to the plumber,” he said. “He can come over in an hour. Will that be okay? You can leave early to meet him.”

I agreed without giving it any thought, realising too late that a plumber being around would interfere with my schemes. Hopefully, he would be in and out quickly.

I left work at four o’clock and made the short journey home. While I waited for the plumber to arrive, I checked my laundry basket for the undies I had been wearing that morning—a plain white pair of bikini-cut briefs with a tiny bow just below the centre of the waistband. I groped through the small pile of clothing that had built up since I moved in two days ago, but couldn’t find them. I tipped the contents onto the bed and went through each item individually. They weren’t there. I searched every corner of my bedroom, then the rest of my apartment. They were nowhere to be found. I had to face the truth. My initial hunch was right; I had left them in Neil’s bathroom. The plumber still hadn’t arrived. Did I have time to go to Neil’s apartment and grab the errant underwear now?

My doorbell rang.

No. Obviously not.

I greeted the plumber, who arrived wearing a pair of dirty jeans and black work boots, the faint scent of grease and metal accompanying him. I explained the problem with the water, even though I was sure Neil had already briefed him on the situation. His heavy boots thudded on the floor, and the contents of his toolbox clanged as I showed him to the relevant areas of the apartment. While he worked, I mentally hurried him along, praying he would finish quickly so I could leave and sort out the underwear conundrum.

All up, the plumber spent more than an hour tinkering with the water heater and testing the taps. He had to come and go from his vehicle multiple times, and also took several long phone calls during the job, making it take even longer. I was beginning to wonder if I should just nip out and leave him there alone for a few minutes, but each time that thought crossed my mind, I told myself he’d finish soon.