Page 48 of Dear Grumpy Boss

He let out a low chuckle. “Goddamn Miles.”

“Go to work, Mr. Aldrich.”

“Don’t call me that, Elise.”

He pulled back, but only far enough for me to see his fiery hazel eyes.

My lips tipped.

His gaze fell to my mouth.

My stomach tied itself in a knot.

Oh jeez.

“Good day, grumpy boss,” I whispered.

His eyes flicked back to mine. “It’s been a great day, sweet Elise.”

This man couldn’t play fair if he tried.

Chapter Twelve

Elise

SincemovingbacktoColorado, I’d become addicted to my weekend hikes. I was on my own since Saoirse was currently skydiving with a new friend she met in a coffee shop last week, but I didn’t mind.

I’d spent the last few hours hiking through meadows and then a canyon. The sun was brighter here, so when I came to a thick copse of trees after four miles, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Okay, I panted.

In my defense, the air was thinner and the trail was on an incline.

Who was I defending myself to? I was out here panting and sweating and having the time of my life. Each time I pushed myself, I took ownership of my body.

I remembered why I’d loved my thick thighs and soft stomach before Patrick made me believe there was something wrong with me.

These thighs carried me over rocks and hills.

My stomach was round, but my core was solid.

Iwas solid.

My body might not have been everyone’s ideal, but it belonged to me. If I didn’t love it, who would?

There was more to love than hate.

No one got to tell me how to feel about myself.

Those were the things I told myself on a continuous loop, and I was doing so much better than I had been when I’d first arrived. But I sometimes faltered. Memories of the GIF and Patrick’s nickname liked to swing back and flatten the progress I made on good days.

The point was I was getting there. It would take time, but I had time.

I walked off the trail, following the sound of the nearby creek. When I found it, I sat down on a flattened boulder and stared in awe at the scenery. I couldn’t believe I’d left all this behind.

I’d liked living in Chicago, but this…

There was nothing like it.

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