Page 34 of Romance with Mr. Bossy Pants

I scoff. “He told me I had ridiculous taste in men and that I wasn’t allowed to take a lunch break.”

Tears pool into my eyes. It’s a miracle I didn’t burst into tears when he taunted me about it repeatedly. I already felt foolish for jumping into a date with a guy I didn’t even bother to get to know over the phone first, and then he just kept pushing, taking me to another level of embarrassment.

“This sounds like a soap opera. You literally have the worst track record of any new employee at any new job.”

She erupts in laughter, holding her stomach and falling on the rug.

I kick her. “You’re worthless. What am I still doing with you?”

“I guess I deserved that.”

She’s right, though.

I throw a pillow at her. “You’re the one who got me in this mess.”

“I know and I’m sorry.” She sits up after calming down. “Your date deserves coal in his Christmas stocking and your boss deserves to be left in a desert with no water for scolding you like a child.”

“I’ll do the shopping and the driving,” I joke.

“You’d think they were best friends or something.”

My phone rings. It’s Michelle. “That’s my ice cream date calling. I’m sure she won’t set me up for failure like you.”

Amber throws the pillow back at me. “Ice cream date?”

“Since my traumatic experience today, yes. It’s supposed to make me feel better.”

I’m about to answer the FaceTime when I pause. I’m still dressed in work clothes, and I haven’t gotten my ice cream. Leaving Amber and the popcorn behind, I open the refrigerator, sifting through the mess to find some. I get my hands on a box of butter pecan ice cream. Perfect.

I rush to the bedroom to change into a fun Barbie T-shirt.

When I return, I already have two missed calls and another ringing.

“Who’s video calling? Amber asks as she settles back by the window.

Ignoring her, I answer, “Hey.”

“Hey. I thought you might have forgotten about me.”

“No,” I shake my head. “Never.”

“I like your shirt.” Michelle’s eyes glow. “I got something like that on my last trip to Disneyland, only it had Frozen characters on it.”

“Nice.” I smile. “You can wear it on our next dessert date. I have a feeling we’ll have a lot more of these.”

“What flavor are you having?” Michelle asks.

I take a scoop. “Butter pecan.”

“I’m having coconut. Dad added some extra shavings and some pieces of pineapple.” She angles the camera so I can see.

The image fills me with all the fuzzies.

Daniel can’t be that bad, right? It’s surprising how he dotes on his daughter, showing a tender side that’s in stark contrast to how he treats his staff. Just as Michelle turns the camera, Amber playfully pokes her head into the FaceTime, adding some humor in classic Amber fashion.

“Heeeey. How come I’m not invited? I love ice cream!”

“Hi, I’m Michelle. Are you Chloe’s friend?”

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