Page 60 of Dear Grumpy Boss

His ego was almost a tangible thing. He’d been a boss for too long. It was probably next to impossible for him to take orders.

Finally, he lowered himself into the seat, bracing his ankle on the opposite knee.

“I’m confused,” I said.

“It’s simple.” He paused, raking his fingers through his hair, making me think it wasn’t actually simple. “What happened this weekend can’t happen again. It will get in the way of my relationship with Elliot and my working relationship with you. We barely kissed and I’m already having bouts of jealousy that are entirely unwanted and, frankly, I have no time for. We’ll go back to how things were before and forget this ever happened.”

I huffed a soft laugh. “We barely kissed?”

It was interesting that Weston was trying to rewrite history. Both times we’d crossed the line, he’d been the one to initiate, and he’d definitely been the aggressor.

He blinked at me. “Is that what you’re stuck on?”

“I suppose so since I agree with the rest. Your jealousy is completely unwanted.”

“You agree?”

I did agree. It was just…this felt an awful lot like rejection, and it stung. It hadn’t been long enough for me to get over the way Patrick had eviscerated me, so I was being more sensitive than normal. Plus, this wasWeston. The first keeper of my heart.

The first smasher too.

“Mmmhmm. We should absolutely go back to how things were before.” I stacked my hands on my lap, smiling pleasantly. It was a show and a good one. “But wait, which ‘before’ are we talking about? The one with your plethora of women? When you pulled me aside to whisper in my ear that I was making a mistake moving to Chicago? How about the ‘before’ when my brother forced you to have lunch with me? Oh, wait, maybe when you sent me flowers every week and left cute little Post-its on my desk. Which one, Weston?”

“Elise—” He reached for me, but I drew my hands away, causing his frown to deepen. “There’s no need to argue if we both agree.”

“I’m not arguing. I’m asking how you would like me to behave toward you.”

“Professional,” he answered flatly.

My stomach lurched, but I made sure it didn’t show. If Weston wanted professional, that was what he’d get. Later, when I was alone, I would have time to process this dagger in my gut.

“I can do that. Can you?”

His gaze remained steady and unaffected. “Of course.”

“Good.” I bobbed my head once. “Please remember if we run into each other socially.”

His mouth twitched downward. “What do you mean?”

I flicked my hand around. Lackadaisical. Not a care in this brutal world. “You know, if I’m on a date and you happen to see me, don’t corner me in a dark hall and carry on about my attraction to bad, bad men. That wouldn’t be very professional.”

He lowered his chin, fire burning in his dark eyes. He kept his tone flat, bored even. “You’re right. It wouldn’t. It won’t happen again.”

“Fine.” Oh, I had to go before I got sad. Being sad over Weston was so five years ago. Now was definitely not the time. “Is there anything else?”

When he didn’t answer, I hopped to my feet and smoothed my hand over the back of my hair. “I really should go. I have a lot to do before the trip.”

I took three steps toward the door before my elbow was caught and I was yanked back against Weston’s solid chest.

“I know you too well,” he murmured beside my ear. “I’ve upset you.”

“Stop it,” I whispered.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” He nuzzled into my hair. “Don’t you know that?”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “No.”

“I don’t, Elise. These last few days have driven me crazy and caused me to act outside of my character. I’m sorry for that. You just ended a serious relationship. The last thing I want to do is hurt you further.”

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