Page 33 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

“Maybe a little bit before I went to bed.”

Jensen reaches out and nudges my arm. “You fit in well here.”

As someone who is desperately relying on this job, that’s really nice to hear from him. It’s not just about money to me, even if that’s a major factor for me. I went to college for business, hoping to one day climb the ranks and do something important with my passion and knowledge. Moments like these show me that I’m heading in the right direction.

I find myself leaning toward him more, also entranced by his natural charm and devotion to his work. He embodies so many traits that I admire. Not just in a boss, but also in a man.

“By your side?”

Jensen’s eyes roam over my figure for a moment. “Right where I like you.”

Such a tease. Just like me.

I share a coy smile with him before standing from the table. “We’ve got a lot of work to do today. Try to catch up.”

I catch his smirk right before I turn around and head out of the conference room, my good mood soaring even higher. He has a tendency of doing that to me as well.

But as we leave, something in his expression shifts—like he’s trying to say something more, but the words are caught in his throat.

“You were amazing in there, Alyssa," he finally says, his tone warm but laced with something else. "I wish I could say the same for the choices I’m making outside the office."

His words hang in the air, confusing me. But before I can ask him what he means, he quickly changes the subject, leaving me wondering what’s really going on in his head.

Chapter sixteen

Jensen

Besides the light murmuring of the television that I’m not even watching, silence settles in my penthouse as I lounge on the couch. My eyes roam around the large living room, which looks so much bigger when I take into account how much space isn’t taken up.

Moments like these remind me of how empty this place is. Most of my life happens outside of my own home, and it has been that way since I went to college. I’ve always been out and about doing things. Creating things. Avoiding the past and what I don’t think I can fix about myself.

It’s hard to avoid anything when I’m here alone to face it, though.

My phone buzzing is a welcome distraction, and I reach forward and grab it off the coffee table without hesitance. I sit up straighter when I see Alyssa’s name on the screen. What is she doing texting me so late at night?

Hey, sorry to bother you so late. I’m dealing with an issue at my apartment, and emergency maintenance isn’t picking up the phone. I’ll have to deal with the issue tomorrow, so I mightbe late or might not even be able to show up, depending on when they decide to show up and fix it. I’ll give you an update as soon as I know something tomorrow.

I don’t even think twice. I call her, listening to the phone ring twice before the line picks up.

“Hey, did I wake you?” Alyssa asks, already sounding guilty.

“No, I’ve been awake. What’s the maintenance issue?” I ask her as I lean back into my couch cushions.

“My front door won’t shut properly,” Alyssa sighs. “It’s an old piece of crap, so I shouldn’t be surprised it broke, but I just don’t feel safe leaving my apartment for a long period of time with a broken door. It’s definitely not the Hamptons around here.”

A broken door. That seems easy to fix.

“I’m guessing you don’t have any tools.”

“I have scissors and a hammer.”

“Text me your address. I’ll come over and fix it for you,” I offer as I haul myself off my couch and venture to the kitchen, where I keep a stocked tool kit under the sink.

“You want me to show up for work that badly?” Alyssa teases me before her voice becomes more serious. “You don’t have to go through all this trouble, Jensen. I can have maintenance deal with it tomorrow.”

“I don’t like the thought of you sleeping in an apartment that’s not secure,” I reply, feeling uneasy at just the thought. “What if someone breaks in? Text me, okay?”

“I…all right,” Alyssa says, giving in. She knows that staying in her place tonight with a broken lock puts her at unnecessary risk. “Thank you.”

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