Page 42 of I Won't Be In On Monday

“Really?” she says. “Are you sure about that? I mean, you did give up like two days already to help him out.”

“I didn’t give uptwodays to help him out.”

“Didn’t you tell me that you canceled plans with your dad just so that you could go over and help him tidy up his apartment?”

“Yeah, but it was a mess, and I’m glad that I did. I didn't do it for him. I did it for Canyon. Plus, I see my dad almost every weekend. It wasn’t that big of a deal.” I feign nonchalance.

“Uh-huh,” she says, winking at me. "You did it for Canyon."

“Why do you say it like that?”

“I don't know. Maybe because you think Remington is cute. And I'm going to get you to admit it one way or another.”

"I'm not going to lie and say I don't think he's cute, because I think we can all tell he's very, very cute. But I'm not into him. He's my boss,” I say defensively. I want to tell her that I do have a thing for him, but saying it would make it true, and I'm not sure that I want to put that out into the universe just yet. Not until I'm ready to open up my heart to heartbreak.

“So what?” she says. “You know I’m dating my boss. And Lila is dating Max, who was and still is her boss. And?—”

“And I’m not dating my boss, and I never will be.” I stick my tongue out at her like a petulant little kid. I am not her or Lila.

“We’ll see about that.” She grins like she doesn't believe me.

“No, I’m telling you, I will never date Remington Parker. He’s not interested in me like that.”

“How do you know he isn’t?”

“Because he is into models and actresses and opera singers.”

“Opera singers? What?" She looks taken aback. "What Opera singer is he into?”

“I don’t know, some glamorous Italian lady that he had me send flowers to. I looked her up online. And apparently, she is the belle of the ball in Milan or something.” I tap my fingers against the table. "Members of different royal families in Europe will do anything for tickets. One prince even paid $100,000 for a box last year."

“Wow. So, you’re a stalker.”

“I’m not a stalker,” I say, giggling. “I just wonder sometimes who these women are that I'm sending flowers to.”

“True. I mean, if I worked for him, I would look up all his hoes, as well."

"They aren't hoes."

"Fine, the women he dates. You have to admit that he does get around. But I suppose that’s better than him being engaged to some absolute stunner. At least you know he is basically single.”

“And he wants to stay single for the rest of his life." I give her a pointed look. "So, no, I'm not going to become his next target. Plus, I don’t know he’s for me even if he did want me.”

“What do you mean you don’t know if he is for you?”

“I feel like…” I pause and look around the restaurant to make sure no one is listening to me. “I feel like he may be a dominant.”

“You what?” she says loudly and then she bursts out laughing. Her hand quickly goes to her mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so loud.”

“I know, but keep it down. What if someone hears us?" I peek at the man at the next table. "I said I think he may be a dominant.”

"Juniper, you have to tell me, one, why you think he may be a dominant? Two, why that doesn't turn you on. And three, how do you know this?” Her eyes are glittering, and I can tell she'smore excited than she's been during the entire conversation. She's practically buzzing, and I feel slightly guilty.

I regret bringing up the topic, but I wanted to talk to someone about it. And seeing as my best friend was overseas and we hadn't spoken in a couple of weeks, I hadn't been able to get Poppy's advice and feedback. I lean forward and whisper, “So, the other day, Remington and I were having a discussion. I can’t even remember what the conversation was about right now. But we kinda drifted from topic to topic, and out of nowhere, he asked me a question."

"What question?" She frowns. "Did she ask you if you wanted to be his sub?"

"No, goofy.

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