The Cherished Wife

Noelle instinctively shook her head before realizing that they were on a call and Charles could not actually see her. She paused, thinking about it. She might not have seen this side of Charles before, but she knew the kind of man he was. The rumors in Brookville were enough to paint a picture. With that thought, everything clicked into place.

Charles was the head honcho of a big–time company and had skills others could only dream of. It all added up. “Nope.”

Charles’s laughter came through again, light and easy. Good to hear I didn’t spook you!”

“So, what’s up? Why’d you call?” Noelle had not forgotten that Charles was the one who called her up.

Charles squinted thoughtfully for a moment. “Oh, nothing much. Just wondering when you’re clocking out. I’m thinking about dinner. Do you wanna eat in or go out?”

Noelle was speechless for a second… He called just to chat about dinner plans? “Mr. Hoffman, just a heads–up, you’re supposed to be working right now.”

Charles’s laugh was knowing. “I’m the boss, remember?”

“Well, I’m not!” Noelle bit back, a little exasperated. “I’ve still got work to do!”

lady,” Charles teased, his voice a smooth, lazy drawl that

he was

lip, her mind reeling. Had she not just heard Charles’s icy tone with her

if you’re

in thought, and Charles’s brow creased when he

silent treatment?”

to say?” Noelle’s voice carried a touch of defeat: “Let’s just

to eating a certain way, but that’s gonna change now that we’re hanging out!” He then suggested, “How about I swing

waved her hands, dismissing the idea. “Your office is on one end of

up. “Is it such a big deal for

found her lip again. “You know the distance between our offices is no joke. Plus, traffic is a nightmare after work. It’d be a huge time suck for you!” She pondered a

it another thought. “What about you? Got any cravings? I’d