Page 16 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

We need to get 99% done before Christmas, and if I get hooked on her and how well she pulls off a skirt, that will slow me down. I can’t pump the brakes now, and I doubt she wants me to either. Spending time with her family during Christmas is more important to her than spending any sort of time with me.

I rise to my feet as Ken Ryker, or Kenfit, walks up to our table. “Jensen Riley. Thanks for meeting with us.”

Ken slaps my hand and pulls me in for a back pat instead of shaking my hand. “Yeah, of course. Can you guys chill here for a moment? I need a pick-me-up. Today’s set was killer.”

Alyssa merely smiles and nods before sitting down with me. “He’s very casual.”

“Unprofessional,” I mutter before taking a sip of my coffee and grimacing.

“Like dirt water, huh?”

I glance over at Alyssa, who has only touched her latte once. “It’s terrible.”

The corner of her mouth turns up a little in a faint smile. “Want me to get you something else?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll need your help getting this guy to focus.”

It’s been helpful having her along whenever I meet with social media stars who could market our app. She’s a little youngerthan me, and she’s far savvier when it comes to the apps and algorithms that these influencers have to deal with. I can sell my app and the money they’ll get, but Alyssa can tackle some of the little details about content and marketing that I’m not as knowledgeable about.

When Ken finally drops down into the chair across from us, he pulls off his sweatshirt, leaving himself in a white t-shirt that looks like it’s a size too small because all of his muscle is on the top half of his body. “So, I’m promoting your app. It’s for hookups, right?”

Alyssa’s eyes dart to mine as I sit up and shake my head. I’m going to have to do a lot of explaining, despite Ken being sent material about Soul Flames yesterday. I take it he was too busy lifting weights to read it.

“It’s a dating app that can be used for all sorts of things. Casual or serious. And it’s for couples too,” I tell him.

Ken nods slowly as he sips on his coffee. “Okay. Does it seem like I need a dating app or something?”

His laughter rings throughout the coffee shop, overtaking the smooth jazz floating down from hidden speakers. It grates on my damn ears.

“We think you could promote the app from a good angle. I’m sure you’re very busy as an influencer, right? You’re making content, editing content, and marketing all the time,” Alyssa speaks up when I don’t immediately respond.

“Well, yeah. It’s a grind.”

“Dating takes a lot of time. You’re having to go out and meet people. Become friends. Then, go out on dates, only to find out you aren’t compatible,” Alyssa continues. “Soul Flames can save you time so that you can continue grinding. Our formula matches you with highly compatible people, and a lot of that awkward, first-impression groundwork can be done in the app through our activities. Like video messages and games.”

Look at her. I don’t even have anything to add, prompting me to cross my arms and relax back in my seat as I wait for Ken to respond.

“I don’t know. It could look desperate if I were promoting a dating app. Like look at me, I’m too socially awkward to go out and talk to girls in person,” Ken says with a laugh as he shakes his head.

My teeth grind for a second as my annoyance kicks up more and more with every word that this guy spouts off. He doesn’t even realize the money and engagement that he can get from working with us. I get thinking about his reputation, but is it that fragile for it to shatter from a dating app promotion?

Alyssa joins her hands on the table and offers him a polite smile that I can tell is also masking annoyance. “Dating apps are very common nowadays for busy working people.”

“I’m not some nine-to-five drone, though. I get out. I get invited to parties and cool events,” Ken replies, giving her a weird look like she said something offensive. “I don’t need to hide behind an app to score dates.”

Yeah, forget this guy. He’s so blinded by his damn dating reputation that he can’t see a good opportunity in front of his own eyes.

Before I can say anything, my phone buzzes multiple times in my pocket. Typically, I don’t check my phone during meetings because I’m actually a professional, but I checked out of this meeting a while ago. I take a peek at my lock screen before freezing.

It’s Oliver’s school.

I hit the answer button and press the phone against my ear, ignoring the bewildered look on Ken’s face as I cut into his defensive complaining. “Hello?”

“Is this Jensen Riley?”

“This is him. What’s going on?” Why else would they be calling me if it weren’t for Oliver?

“There was an incident on the playground with Oliver. He was talking to some kids, and one of them shoved him to the ground. I’m not sure why yet. He’s not hurt, but he is very upset. Is there any way you can come by the office?”

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