Guilty Pleasures (15 page)

Eva almost grinned with relief. “Stupid me. I should have transferred the information to your system but totally forgot. I placed that order.”

“Oh, okay. Well, I have them up front. Good thing you mentioned it. They were going back today.”

“You are just too efficient for your own good,” Eva teased.

“I'll bring them back to your office.”

“Uh, no. That's okay. Leave them where they are. Sebastian and I will be working in my office for a couple of hours. I'll just be sure to include them on the inventory sheet.”

“I can do that for you.”

“No,” she snapped with more bite than she intended. Tara flinched. “I mean, don't worry about it. You have enough to do if I'm going to be tied up for the next few hours. Plus I need to check them out first. They just might have to go back.” She smiled. “I'll get them from you when Sebastian and I are done.”

Tara looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. “You're the boss. I'll tell Sebastian you're coming.”

“Thanks,” she muttered.

When Tara left the stockroom, Eva turned around in a slow circle, her fist pressed to her mouth, trying to think. Now Tara knew about the boxes. She would be looking for them to appear on the spreadsheet. She'd just deal with that later. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that the boxes were at Tara's desk and not in the stockroom. At least she wouldn't have to worry about Sebastian noticing them there or in her office.

She straightened her jacket and walked out. Now, if she could get through the next couple of hours with Sebastian, she'd figure out the rest. Rita would just have to wait for the pickup until she'd worked everything out on the inside and soothed any suspicions Tara might have.

Tara was young and eager, but she was also willing to please and loyal to Eva. If she'd thought anything was awry, she'd come to Eva before ever going to Sebastian. Of that much Eva was certain. Tara had dreams of running the office if and when Eva moved to the new location. It wouldn't serve her well to get on Eva's wrong side.

Holding on to that small comfort, Eva walked into her office, where Sebastian was waiting.

“I was ready to take a nap,” Sebastian teased. He stood to greet her with a kiss on the cheek.

“Bass, you weren't waiting that long.” She walked around him. “How are you
Looking good as ever.”

“I'm good. Better than good.”

“Oh
” Her brow arched in inquiry.

“The young lady I was telling you about—”

She smiled. “The one who is still nameless
”

“Her name is Allison. Allison Hampton.”

Eva eyes widened. “
The
Allison Hampton
Of Hampton Enterprises
”

Allison Hampton was the white equivalent of Oprah. She owned two magazines, a radio station, sat on the board of several Fortune 500 corporations, and recently launched her own charitable foundation. She had her hand in any and every humanitarian cause, near and far. That's because she had enough money to pay off the national debt—out of her petty cash. Her father was a senator for decades until he died five years earlier. The family made their first fortune during Prohibition and then legitimized themselves in oil, then turned to stocks. She was an only child and heiress to a megafortune, which, by all accounts, she spent wisely. There'd been rumors that her father had had very close ties with the Saudis, but the speculation was never proved.

Sebastian grinned. “Yes,
the
Allison Hampton.”

“Well, you certainly go for the gusto. Congratulations.” She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Are those really her boobs, or does she have a good surgeon
”

Sebastian tossed his head back and howled with laughter. “I'll let you know. How's that
”

Eva chuckled. “As long as you're happy. I just hope she treats you nice. Or else you know she will be subject to a beatdown. I don't care how much money she has.”

“I'm a big boy, Eva. I can take care of myself. But I appreciate your sentiments.”

She wagged a finger at him. “Listen, you know all you have to do is put your lips together and blow. I'll be there.”

He shook his head in merriment. “I'll keep that in mind.”

“So … I take it the date went well
”

“Yes, very. The first, and every one since then too. We've been seeing each other practically every night.”

“Wow. This does sound serious.”

Sebastian sat down. He looked up at Eva. “I think so. At least I hope it will be. I really care about her. She's a good person, funny intelligent, beautiful.”

“Sounds like she's the whole package.”

“And I want you to meet her, you and Jake. I'm going to have a little dinner party at my place, next week Saturday.”

She froze. “Next Saturday
”

“Yes, does that work for you
”