Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Josefina fidgeted in her chair. Her eyes darted down as she leaned back, causing the chair to retreat several inches.

Oliver's lips curled into a wry smile as he leisurely took a seat across the desk. There was only the expanse of the office table between them, yet Josefina felt as if he was right next to her, especially with the heat in Oliver's gaze.

"Oliver, did you need something from me?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Oliver crossed his legs, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes complemented by an indulgent smirk. "Do I need a reason to see you?"

Josefina's mind raced back to the design draft she was anxious to keep hidden. She inched forward, hoping to shield it from view. "I'm a bit tied up today. If there's nothing pressing, maybe you could come back later?"

Oliver's voice was smooth as silk. "Oh, but there is something."

Like a magician producing a rabbit from a hat, he placed a stack of business cards on Josefina's desk. "Take a look. Pick any designer you like, and I'll have them work on your company's fashion line." Josefina's heart warmed at the gesture. It was clear now; Oliver had come to lend a hand. Though he hadn't spelled it out, the underlying message in his words wasn't lost on Josefina.

She was stunned, pointing to the pile of business cards in disbelief. "I can pick any of these, and you can get them to come over?"

"Sure, all of

Josefina made her all the more endearing to him. He yearned to

lips quirked into a slight smile. "You might want to think even bigger." sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ

a guess, "You haven't already brought these people close to the company,

broadened. "You're quite the

really did

choice?" he

gracefully. "Thanks for the offer, Oliver, but I don't need the help. I've figured out a way to handle

playful smile he

tensed, wondering what

about the company's trouble? Have you been keeping tabs

the time came for the designs and you hadn't delivered, should I not be concerned? Did you plan to deal with this alone?" "The deadline isn't even here yet. Don't worry. Tomorrow's launch will go off

you don't need a single card

but thank you," Josefina