Page 27 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

“I know that you’ve slept together,” Austin states, his voice coming out way firmer than my shaky words. “I’m sure you know that’s strictly against company policy, but it’s not just your fault. Jensen shouldn’t have approached you in that manner at all. He’s your boss. He needs to set a professional precedent.”

This can’t be happening. No, no, no. This has to be some sort of mortifying nightmare that conjures up my worst fears.

“I…I’m so sorry,” I say as I lower my eyes, unable to even look at him directly as my face burns bright red with embarrassment. How the hell did he even find out?

It doesn’t even matter. I shouldn’t have been sleeping with mybossin the first place! What if I get fired or blacklisted? A reputation for inappropriate behavior will ruin my chances of getting a great job in this city.

“It won’t happen again. I know what I did was wrong.” I continue my groveling, hoping that he won’t punish me as severely as I probably deserve.

Austin eyes me for a few seconds, determining the sincerity of my pleading words. He finally sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose like he’s stressed out. I suppose he has something to lose as well if things go wrong. It’s his company too, after all.

“All right, all right. Just…don’t do it again. Focus on your work. The January update will be here before we know it.”

I nod, my body remaining stiff as he stares me down. “I will. I mean, I won’t do it again, but I will focus on my work.”

O-M-G. Shut up!

Austin opens his door all the way and nods toward the hallway. “Keep this between us, okay?”

“Okay.” I zip out of his office before he can change his mind, my eyes starting to burn as my embarrassment doubles. It feels like I’ve been chastised in the principal’s office, but this iswayworse.

I rapidly blink my eyes and keep them cast down toward the floor as I head down the hallway, not wanting anyone to see me in this state. My breaths quicken as my anxiety grips me, making tears fill the bottom of my eyes. I cannot lose it in the middle of the hallway!

I swallow hard and look up to see Jensen walking toward me, my breath stopping. I’m not ready for this. I can’t talk to him right now, especially after getting in trouble with his best friend because we were sleeping together!

Keeping my head down, I try to slip past him to hide in the women’s restroom or whatever empty room that I can find, but he steps to the side and blocks my path.

“Alyssa, what’s going on with you?”

His voice makes my face flush even hotter, all of my worries clouding my mind in an overwhelming storm of noise. “I need…I can’t…”

Jensen takes hold of my arm and drags me to the left, bringing me into an empty meeting room and shutting the door behind us. He turns to me as I slip out of his grip. “What’s wrong? We’re not leaving this room until you level with me.”

I part my lips to scoff at him, but a sob comes out instead. I slap my hand over my mouth, but the dam has already burst.Tears roll down my cheeks as I lower my head, my burning eyes squeezing shut.

Jensen freezes as I suddenly break down in front of him. “Woah, woah. Did I upset you yesterday?”

I sniffle and shake my head, dropping my hand to my chest to try and calm my rapid breaths. My head aches as I attempt to blink away my tears, half of my strength leaving my body. I’ve beenso tiredsince yesterday.

My talk with Austin was the icing on top of this mess.

“I don’t even know where to start. So much shit has happened,” I say as I hastily wipe away my tears.

“Why did you leave yesterday?”

I guess that’s a good place to start.

“My parents got in a car accident. I had to go make sure they were okay,” I explain, my words coming out at a quickening pace. “And their car needs so many expensive repairs because some guy ran a light and hit them. They’re getting older, so I’ve been helping them financially with my paychecks. But we obviously didn’t see this huge expense coming!”

“Hold on. Hold on. Breathe,” Jensen urges me as he takes my shaky hands in his, squeezing them firmly enough to ground me.

I suck in a deep breath until I don’t feel lightheaded anymore. I blink through my tears and shake my head, fighting down the sob that keeps trying to rise up my throat. “I just didn’t expect this. No one does, but…I’m just trying to get them out of medical debt. I can only handle so many things at a time, and Austin also talked to me this morning.”

Jensen’s brow furrows in confusion. “Austin? What did he say?”

I lift my eyes to his, an expression of shame filling my flushed face. “He knows about us. He told me that he already talked to you about it.”

Jensen’s shoulders drop as he sighs. “Yeah, he did. He won’t say anything to anyone.”

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