“Please, after you.”

Chloe lets out a small sigh. “I just wanted to thank you for the medicine the other day. It was...unexpected.”

“Yeah, well, I wasn’t sure which one you’d need, so I just kinda bought everything. I was hoping you’d feel better in time for Michelle’s dinner.”

Chloe nods. “Much better, thanks. You really didn’t have to go through all that trouble.”

“I wanted to. I’m just glad you’re back on your feet.” I pause. “So, you and Alex, huh?”

“Me and Alex? Alex who?” Chloe’s confusion only lasts a minute before realization dawns on her. “Alex?”

“Yeah, Alex.”

“OMG, no,” Chloe laughs.

“You’re not dating Alex?”

“Of course not. He still wouldn’t be on the table even if he wasn’t dating my best friend.”

“I see.”

“Do you have any other plans for tonight?” I ask.

“Not really. I just want to get home.”

I shrug. “Well, do you want to have a drink before you head out?”

“I should just probably—”

“Just one.”

Chloe pauses, then gives in. “Sure, why not?”

After we finish tidying up the kitchen, I grab two Sam Adams bottles from the fridge, and we sit on the living room couch. I open both and take a sip from one, handing the other bottle to Chloe.

Taking a sip, I notice a drop of beer on the edge of Chloe’s lips. My first thought is to wipe it away, but I resist the urge and keep my hands to myself. Instead, I watch as she licks the wet spot off her lips with her tongue, sending shivers down my spine.

Desire starts to simmer inside me. How can something so innocent feel like flirtation?

So much for trying to get her out of my system. Truth is, I’ve been craving another moment alone with her since our first kiss. And now, here we are.

“Just to be sure, we’re off the clock now, right?” Chloe asks.

“Hmmm...not sure how weekends work, but I’m always your boss, aren’t I?”

Chloe raises an eyebrow, and I chuckle. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”

“Right.”

“Which means asking you to tell me more won't be inappropriate.”

“More about?”

“You.”

Chloe raises an eyebrow again. “I don’t feel comfortable talking to you about personal stuff. Didn’t you say it was bad to mix business and personal life?”

“I could fire you.”