“I really appreciate you coming in on a Sunday to help,” I said.

“Just don’t tell my pastor and we’re good,” Ira said, winking.

Her wink sent butterflies soaring straight to my stomach.

“So, the first thing you need to know is that your parents just paid the last quarterly taxes for this year. Have you logged into their email?” she asked.

“They kept all the passwords saved, thank God. So, yes. I’ve made some notes on a few things,” I said.

“They use QuickBooks Self-Employed as well. That system is invaluable. It’s connected to their payroll as well. And their business account.”

“What if I tell you what I’m up to speed on, and you fill in the blanks?”

“A man who takes control. I like it,” she said, grinning.

She brushed past me to get into the office, and my temperature rose. She really needed to stop making comments like that. I followed her into the office and closed the door behind me, then got to work on informing her of what I’d learned myself. I knew about QuickBooks. I’d familiarized myself overnight with payroll. I already had control of the bank accounts since my parents had it set up in their will to hand everything over to me. I even figured out where their prior tax documentation was.

“So, do you know how to access employee records?” Ira asked.

“No. I haven’t gotten that far,” I said.

“Then, we’ll start there. Double-click on the blue file folder on the main screen and choose the one that says ‘Records.’”

I did as I was asked, and I watched the folder open with individual files.

“I. Campbell,” he said.

“That’s me. First initial and last name. All employee records are here. Biannual reports on how we’re doing with our work. Raises, if any. Yearly pay information. Our tax information. Home addresses. Phone numbers. Things like that are here,” she said.

“For all the employees.”

“Yes. Ready to navigate to accounting information?”

She walked me through everything. And I mean, everything. By the time she was done with her two-hour tutorial, we had covered all of the bases necessary for me to get caught up on work that had lagged behind over the past couple of weeks.

“You really must have helped them out,” I said.

“I care about this restaurant,” Ira said.

There was something in her voice that made me look over at her.

“They hired me at a time when I desperately needed it. In fact, all of us employees were hired in times when no one else would give us a shot. They had good hearts like that, your parents. I started by helping out your father in the kitchen on busy afternoons, and it sort of morphed from there. I learned all the systems to help your mother out when she needed breaks. Your parents were always good to me, Clay. I wanted to be good to them in return,” she said.

“Why did you need the job?” I asked.

She drew in a deep breath, and I turned completely to her. Our knees collided. Our bodies connected. I felt heat brush the nape of my neck as her beautiful green eyes fell against mine.

“I moved back into town because my father got sick. After we buried my mother a few years ago, he needed someone to help him out. I needed a job to pay bills and keep a roof over our heads. So, they hired me on here to work whatever hours they could give me,” Ira said.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“It’s fine. I mean, it’s not fine. But I’m glad I could help.”

My eyes danced between hers, and I watched a flush creep into her cheeks.

“Do you have any other questions?” she asked.

“I think I’ve got it,” I said.

“Well, then I should get ready for my shift,” she said.

I stood with her, feeling a pull toward her as she turned around. My gut tugged from my body with every step she took away from me. I wasn’t sure if it was being so close to her. Or smelling her lavender perfume. Or gazing into those emerald-green eyes. Or listening to how much she cared about my parents and their restaurant. But it charged my hand with energy.

“Wait,” I said.

I reached out and grabbed Ira’s wrist, stopping her in her tracks

“Yes?” she asked.

She turned around and it hit me just how small she was. Her head barely came up to meet my chest. She looked up at me with those doe eyes of hers. Those full lips that matched the fullness of the rest of her body. I let out the breath I was holding as my hand released her, jolting away from the sheer amount of electricity flashing up my arm.

Then, I saw it.

I watched her bare arm cascade with goose bumps.

“I have another question,” I said.

“What is it?” Ira asked.

I took a chance and slipped my hand against her neck and around the back of her head. I cupped it, steadying her gaze as she relaxed her head back into my palm.

“What time is it?” I asked.

Her eyes fell around my body before she sighed.

“Ten thirty,” she breathed.

I nodded. “That’s enough time.”

And then, I lowered my lips to hers for a kiss.