Page 50 of Romance with Mr. Bossy Pants

Chloe had shown up with her curls tumbling down her back. The deep blue of her dress hugs her figure, accentuating her hourglass shape while a daring slit runs up her right leg to mid-thigh.

It’s not just Harrison; she’s drawing looks from all corners, and it irks me more than I want to admit.

Garamond’s chuckle breaks my focus. “You’re about to crush that cup in your hand.”

I glance down at my white-knuckled grip and force a laugh. “Just making sure it’s sturdy,” I say as I set the cup down with more care than necessary. “I’m going to see what they’re talking about.”

I make my way through the crowd, my mind racing. As I reach Chloe and Harrison, I interrupt with a polite, “Harrison, good to see you here. Trust you’ve been well.”

Harrison turns, and his face melts into a smile. The pest even has dimples. And his teeth gleam as if modeling for a Crest commercial.

“Yes. Always a pleasure, my friend.” He even has a naturally seductive voice.

I have to get Chloe as far away from him as possible.

“Would you mind if I steal Ms. Summers for a moment? I have some business to catch up with her on.”

Chloe hesitates. “Excuse us, Harrison. It was nice to meet you.”

Chloe follows me away from the crowd. Once we’re out of earshot, I can’t bite back my remark. “Are you enjoying the spotlight?”

“Excuse me?”

“Harrison and the one-hundred-and-something men who have their eyes on you at this party.”

Chloe smirks, a playful glint in her eyes. “Are you watching me? A little…jealous even?”

I’m at a loss for words. The truth is, I’m keeping a closer eye on her, but not for the reasons I should be. We kissed, and it changes everything between us, even if we’re both pretending it didn’t happen. She’s gone back to business as usual for the most part, and so have I. But the reality is, I can’t shake it off that easily, so how can she?

“We should talk about that ki—”

“Hi!” A voice calls from behind. I turn around to see Michelle prancing up to us. “Wow, Chloe. You look so pretty.”

“She does, doesn’t she?” I add. Michelle’s jaws drop. I realize it’s the first time I’ve said this around her, and my facial expression turns.

Chloe blushes. Thankfully, she understands my concern.

“Thank you, Michelle. As do you.” She takes Michelle’s hand, lifts it above her head, and twirls her around. Michelle’s face lights up brighter than the moon on a clear evening sky, her dress flowing effortlessly as she embraces the pirouette. “Why don’t we go check that dessert table? I heard the chocolate fondue is to die for,” Chloe suggests, and they both excuse themselves.

Once they’re out of earshot, Garamond approaches, his voice a notch lower. “She really is quite something, isn’t she? Beautiful, intelligent—I can see why you’d want her by your side tonight.”

Clearing my throat, “Chloe’s a valuable member of the team. Her insights tonight have been indispensable.”

“Bro, you gotta learn to admire beauty when it’s right in front of you, and Chloe is the epitome of it.”

“Wait a minute. With your track record, you’re not going anywhere with Chloe, got it? No flirting, and keep conversations minimal, got it?”

Garamond’s expression tightens, his eyes narrowing slightly, but I glare back at him. “Alright, you’re a tough nut to crack.”

“Some things never change.”

Garamond chuckles. “You might as well admit it, you’re taken with Chloe. And don’t think you’re the only one who’s noticed. Michelle sees it, too. Are you planning on playing the watchdog all night?”

“She’s her own person. She can handle herself.”

He’s about to retort when I cut him off, my voice dripping in sarcasm, “And speaking of dates, where’s Tiffany? I heard you two were a thing again.”

He raises his hands, signaling a truce. “A thing? I wouldn’t call it that just yet. We’ll see how it goes,” he says, backing off with a pointed look.

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