Page 38 of Dear Grumpy Boss

When I sat back down with my friends, they played it cool, but I could tell they were bursting with giddiness for me. Rebecca made a few fire engine jokes, and Simon told us about the one redhead he’d dated. Saoirse grabbed my hand and gave it a hard squeeze. More than anyone, she knew what a big deal it was for me to open myself up to possibly moving on.

We were all a little bit tipsy when we left the bar. Rebecca had big plans of going home and seducing Sam. Simon’s night was just getting started. He was meeting his real-life friends. Work wasn’t real life, and I wasn’t even a little insulted. Saoirse and I waited by the curb for our Uber.

Behind us, bar noises grew louder as someone exited. Boisterous voices carried loudly through the night. Saoirse and I huddled closer.

“Elise.” A bark so commanding, both Saoirse and I immediately twisted around to see the source. Weston had parted from his group and was striding toward us. “I’ll drive you home.”

Saoirse’s hand tightened on my waist. I shook my head just as a car pulled up in front of us.

“No thank you. Our Uber is here.” My gaze lingered on his. He seemed angry. His week had probably felt much, much longer than mine. “Have a good weekend, Weston.”

His head dipped, and he stayed planted there on the sidewalk as we climbed into the back of our ride. I waved as we drove away.

Saoirse let out a whoosh. “That man is so frigging intense.”

I giggled. “I know, right? He’s always been that way.”

“Hot, though.”

“Yeah.” He’d always been that way too, even as a lanky teen.

“Let’s talk about Thomas.” She took my hand, wrapping both of hers around it. “How did it feel to be hit on by a cute guy?”

“It felt…like maybe Patrick’s opinion of me isn’t the end all be all.”

Her face went soft. She pressed my hand to her cheek. “It isn’t. Remember how sexy you felt in Aruba? That’s what matters. Patrick couldn’t handle you feeling yourself that way. He was a small man with a small mind and a small prick.”

I snorted a laugh. “Unfortunately, his prick isn’t small.”

She snapped her fingers. “Drats. Well, I hope he and his big dick are enjoying all the time they’re spending with his right hand. He’s never going to find awoman sexier, funnier, or more wonderful than you. And I am one-hundred-percent certain he knows that and it’s killing him.”

“I don’t know if that’s true, but honestly? I don’t really want to think about him anymore.”

“You’re right.”

My phone lit up in my lap. I had a new text. Saoirse and I both read the screen.

“Thomas,” she whispered.

Hi, Elise. Sorry I’m not playing it cool, but I really enjoyed meeting you and would love to take you to dinner tomorrow night. Are you available?

I gasped. Saoirse squealed.

I was going on a date. With a man.

Holy frigging crap.

Chapter Ten

Weston

Lucakeptgivingmethe stink eye for tagging along with him, but he could go fuck himself. As if he didn’t invite himself everywhere Elliot and I went.

“What if this was a date?” he grumbled as we were seated on a patio with mountain views.

I opened my menu, peering at him over it. “You’re not dating Elise.”

“Well, obviously not when you’re getting between us.”

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