Sleeping With My Boss: A Standalone Novel (An Alpha Billionaire Romance Love Story) (A Dirty Office Romance) by Claire Adams Page A

already,” but I managed to bite my tongue.
    “Great,” I replied. “How does eight o'clock at
McGinty's Pub downtown sound?”
    “That sounds perfect. I'll see you there. Until then,
more work to get through. There are still four working hours left in the day
and we have to try to get as much done as possible in that time, right?”
    “Right. I'll see you later this evening.”

 
    ***

 
    “Remember, Eddie, don't tell him I've talked to you
about him before all right?”
    Eddie grinned. “Don't worry, sis, I've got this.”
    I saw Asher enter the bar as I looked over Eddie’s
shoulder. “Here he is now! Act normal!”
    “Uh, I am, Peanut. You on the other hand…”
    “Shh! Don’t call me that.”
    Asher approached our table with a smile. He was
wearing jeans and a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
It was the first time I'd seen him not wearing a business suit, and he almost
looked like a different person—although the sense of effortless style was
undeniably his.
    Eddie stood to greet him, offering him a hand, which
Asher shook firmly.
    “Edward Maxwell,” Eddie said. “But my friends call me
Eddie.”
    “Asher Sinclair,” said Asher. “My friends call me Ash.
Pleased to meet you! I hope I don't sound too dorky when I say this, but I'm a
huge fan of your music.”
    Eddie grinned.
    “Thanks, man! Never thought I'd have a CEO of a Fortune
100 company saying that to me!”
    Asher laughed. “I was a teenager once,” he said with a
smile, “and I still have a soft spot for punk—although I don't know if that's
what I'd call your latest offerings.”
    “Yeah, we've been playing around a lot with folk
chords and melodies in recent years. Going for a more mature sound, I guess you
could say.”
    “And, I think I speak for both myself and other fans
when I say, we really appreciate it,” commented Asher. “It shows a depth of
musical understanding and how you guys have evolved as a band over the years. I
mean, the latest album has such a great, organic feel-”
    I stood which interrupted them. As nice as it was to
see them hit it off so quickly, I didn't want to sit around all night listening
to them jabbering on and on about music.
    “Guys, I hate to interrupt, but how about we get a few
beers, huh?”
    Asher smiled. “Of course. We are here to celebrate the
successful presentation you gave earlier, so let's get on with it. First round
is on me. What are you two having?”
    “Guinness for me; thanks, man,” replied Eddie.
    “Make that two,” I said.
    “Ah, Guinness drinkers, huh? Is there Irish blood in
your family?” asked Asher.
    “A fair bit of it!” Eddie replied with a laugh.
    Asher went off to the bar to get the drinks, and I
leaned over to Eddie.
    “So? What do you think of him?”
    “He seems like a good dude,” he remarked, “as far as
first impressions go anyway. It's still hard to believe that a suit like him is
a big fan of my band.”
    “Come on, Eddie. He's not your average suit, you
know.”
    “I know, I know. You know what I mean, though—corporate
types aren't exactly what make up the majority of the punk rock fan base.
Still, seems like a nice guy so far.”
    Asher returned carrying three pints of Guinness, so
Eddie and I paused our conversation.
    “Thanks,” Eddie said as he took a beer from Asher.
“I'll get the next round.”
    Asher sat down and raised his pint.
    “Here's to Lilah,” he said, “and her amazing
presentation today, which I firmly believe is not only going to salvage my
firm's reputation with the Harry Winston Company, but will also make us a very
decent profit in the process.”
    “To Lilah,” Eddie repeated as he clinked his glass
against Asher's.
    “Aw, thanks, guys,” I replied as clinked my glass
against each man's. “I appreciate that. Now, let's drink to a year of success
ahead for all of us!”
    “I'll drink to that!” exclaimed Eddie, and we all
laughed and raised our glasses together.
    After two more