Page 57 of His Curvy Distraction

“Have a good night, Natalie.”

I hung up and sent Daisy a text, letting her know I was okay and waiting out the storm.

I was just about to call you. Glad you’re okay.

All good. Cold and wet but not hurt.

Good. I’ll feel better when that place is done and you’re not out there alone.

Me, too.

“You didn’t want them to know I’m here.”

I looked at him. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to.”

“Did you want to?”

“I’m not sure about that either.”

He nodded, not laughing but not making his case either.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked.

“I want you to do what makes you feel comfortable.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Natalie, I’m your boss’s boss, something you made clear bothers you. I’m not going to tell you to do something. I want you to make choices. It doesn’t matter what I think or what I want.”

“It matters to me,” I whispered.

He sucked in a breath. “Does it? I’m not asking that to be cruel. Just curious. Because before an hour ago, we barely spoke.”

“My dating history is spotty, at best. Most of the men I’ve dated were casual and short-lived. All it takes is one panic attack or one problem because of my anxiety, or one look at my figure, and they’re ready to run.”

“I’m still here,” he said.

I nodded slowly. “You are. But what if I have a panic attack before some appearance you have to make? Or if my anxiety makes us late for something? What if you get exhausted having to take care of me like you did today?”

“None of what you said scares me off. As for taking care of you, I don’t think I agree that’s what’s really happening here.”

“You showed up and got me out of the rain. I would have been trapped out there without you.”

“I’m pretty sure you were trapped out there anyway. So was I. I didn’t do anything to help you.”

“You didn’t let go.”

“What?”

“When we were running to get here, you didn’t let go of my hand.”

He picked up my hand and wound our fingers together. He brought our joined hands to his lips. “I’m not letting go now either, Natalie. But this is up to you. All of this is up to you.”

“You don’t get a say?”

He chuckled. “You’re cute.”

“What?”

---