Page 60 of Grump and Grumpier

I dip my spoon into the chili and take a bite as I consider the question. “Maybe?” I say eventually.

“If you’ve developed feelings, you might get hurt either way, so you may as well go for what you want,” Callie says.

When I don’t respond, Marissa says, “What advice would you give me if I were in your situation?”

I picture that for just a split second before I have an answer. “I’d absolutely tell you to go for it.”

My roommate nods her head once. “Then you have your answer.”

CHAPTER 47

ANA

The next day, I wear my favorite work outfit over bold, red lingerie. Not that I plan for the men to see my underwear, necessarily; I just want the confidence it gives me.

My nerves are fluttering around like a moth stuck in a jar, and I’m trying to figure out how, when, and where to tell Derek and Jansen that I’ve fallen for them.

Telling them the next time we have dinner together makes the most sense, but what if they don’t feel the same way?

It would be unbearably awkward saying goodbye and leaving in that situation. Or they might convince me to stay and carry on with what we’ve been doing, and while that wouldn’t be terrible, it would hurt a lot in the long run.

The office doesn’t seem like the best place to talkabout my feelings with them, but I know I could keep a brave face there if I’m rejected.

I mull all of this over on my ride in, and just after I park my car in the lot, my phone rings. It’s an HR director I met through a professional association, and I have flashbacks to the trap I set for Charles when the woman tells me she’s calling about a job opening.

“I remember you saying your contract was only for six months, and I figure you must be job hunting now,” she says.

Ishouldbe job hunting, but I’ve been dragging my feet, and I know the reason is that I’m going to miss seeing Derek and Jansen every day. On the other hand, when I get another job, I’ll be free to date them without violating any rules.Ifthey want to date me, that is.

Another reason I haven’t looked for my next job yet is that I really like working at Community Bean. I knew the position would be a challenge and would boost my resume, but I never expected it to be as enjoyable and fulfilling as it has been. Even the coffee is better than I thought!

But, my contract is almost over, and I can’t stay and carry on banging my bosses several times a week.

“We’re creating a deputy director position,” the woman says. “You don’t have quite as much experienceas the title might typically require, but the work you’ve been doing at Community Bean is very impressive, and I think you’d be a good fit.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you. I’m definitely interested, but I still have a month left here.”

“I can work with that, but I’m hoping you might be able to start sooner.”

“Are you offering me the job?”

“I am. This new position reports directly to me, and you’re the first person I thought of.” She proceeds to tell me more about the opportunity, and I can’t help but think that this is the universe looking out for me. This is exactly what I need to separate my personal and professional lives, and the timing is close to perfect.

“I’ll think it over, though I’m definitely very interested. I’ll also see what I can do about bumping up my availability.”

As I take the elevator up to the office, I’m thinking about this new discussion that I need to have with Derek and Jansen. I don’t expect them to have an issue with me leaving before my six months are up. I don’t have any big projects left. I’ll just need to find my replacement, but I’m caught up on staffing in other areas.

I decide there’s no time like the present, so before I even go to my own desk, I head over to the executive offices. I take it as another sign from theuniverse when neither of the men are on calls and amazingly, they don’t appear to be stressed this morning.

“Do you have a few minutes to talk?” I ask Jansen, and then Derek.

Jansen follows me over to his partner’s office and closes the door, which immediately gives me a tingly feeling in my belly, but I do my best to ignore it.

“Everything okay?” Derek’s eyes search my face.

“Yes … things are good actually. I just need to talk to you about my future plans.”

Two sets of brows lift. Derek, who’s come around to stand in front of his desk, leans back against it, while Jansen stays near me. “As you probably know, the end of my contracted time is coming up in a month?—”

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