Page 35 of Falling for the Boss's Son

“Did you need something?”

Stephanie shifted her weight, a sign she was nervous about whatever it was she was about to say.

He stopped what he was doing and gave her his full attention. “You aren’t quitting, are you?”

Her eyes went wide. “What? No. I just…”

Jesse raised an eyebrow in question.

“I stopped by the break room, and I overheard something.” She glanced at the picture of him graduating college he had hanging on the wall, his dad’s arm around him and a big smile on both of their faces. “They said you were seen leaving the building with Cassie Ross, your dad’s assistant.” She paused. “And they were speculating on how you spent your lunch break.”

“Close the door.”

It took a moment for his words to register, but when they did, Stephanie did as he asked and shut the door.

“Have a seat.” Jesse motioned to the seat across from his desk.

Stephanie lowered herself into the chair and folded her hands in front of her as if she were waiting for him to reprimand her.

“Cassie Ross and I are dating. We’ve been dating for a couple of weeks now and my two o’clock meeting today is with HR to let them know about our relationship.” His timeline was a little exaggerated, but it sounded better than saying they’d met a little over a week ago. “As for lunch today, we met with my father to tell him about our relationship.”

“If you’re telling HR today, then why the secrecy?” Stephanie asked.

“I don’t want to fuel the rumor mill. Nor do I want people hovering outside my office trying to listen in to find out any tidbit of information they can. However, as you’ll be the buffer between me and those who are so eager for information, I figured you should know the situation.”

She nodded.

“I appreciate your discretion on this.” It was a request, but it was also a reminder he didn’t want her blabbing about his personal life in the break room.

“Of course, Mr. Masters. I won’t say anything.”

“Thank you.”

Forty-five minutes later, Jesse stood outside HR, waiting. They had an appointment with the HR manager in two minutes and Cassie wasn’t there yet. He checked his phone again, but there were no messages.

With less than thirty seconds to spare, she came rushing down the hall.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded. “Yes. Sorry I’m late. Corrine needed my help with her computer.”

Her hair had come loose from its clip and he wanted desperately to brush it behind her ear. “Are you ready for this, or do you need a few minutes?”

“I’m ready,” Cassie said. “Let’s get this over with.”

The meeting with the HR manager had him feeling as if he’d been sent to the principal’s office. Courtney Layne would have made a good headmistress at a private girls’ school. She wore a tailored suit, her makeup was on the heavy side, and her hair was pulled up tight into a bun.

They’d each been given a copy of the employee manual and read the section regarding fraternization. Then she’d gone farther, saying she expected us to remain professional while on company property. She clearly didn’t have an issue with him being Blake Masters’s son.

Cassie let out a loud breath when they left the HR department.

“Feels like we just left the principal’s office.”

He’d been hoping to lighten the mood, and it worked.

Cassie laughed. “Yes, it does. I was kind of expecting it, though.”

“Why’s that?” he asked, moving them toward the elevator.

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