Page 49 of I Won't Be In On Monday

“Sorry, what has been months?”

“It’s been months since I have gotten laid. Or as you would say, since my dick has been wet.”

She gasps in shock and chortles.

“Don’t act all shy and innocent with me, Juniper. We both know what you were insinuating.”

“So, do you want me to come over and babysit?” She hisses. "Is that why you're calling? Other than to ruin my hot date on Friday?"

“No. I don't want you to come over and babysit.” I don't want to tell her that I just wanted to hear her voice. I just wanted to share with her how I was feeling about the whole situation with Canyon and Karen. I'm not even sure why the thought crossed my mind to confide in her like that. I realize that's not a conversation I should be having with her. She's my assistant, not my friend, not my girlfriend, not anything like that. And I need to stop crossing those lines. I need to keep up the boundary between us because the lines are becoming too blurred.

“Okay, well, I'll be there working for you on Friday, and you can tell Liam he can count on me. I will be discreet in whatever we're doing. I guess you also want me to work on the weekend?”

“I mean, I was hoping that?—”

“I have stuff going on this weekend, so I really can’t. You’re going to have to try and figure something out. I’ll work on Friday night, but Saturday and Sunday, I just can’t. I have tosee my dad. And well, Skye and Lila and I, we’ve got something important planned.”

“Oh?” I sit up. “What do you have planned?”

“That’s kind of private, and I don't really want to share it with you.”

“You going out to look for more guys or something?”

“Well, they're both in relationships, so no, I don't think they're going to look for guys.”

"Are they helping you look for guys?"

"None of your business."

“I mean, if you are that desperate for a man, I do have some friends that I can introduce you to.” My voice sounds surly, but for some reason, I'm feeling pissed off.

“No, thank you, Mr. Parker.”

“Stop with the Mr. Parker. I’m Remington. You know that.”

“Yes, Remington. Was there anything else?”

“In fact, there was,” I say quickly. “I was speaking with Canyon tonight, and we were talking about books and stories, and she expressed an interest in creative writing.”

“She did?” She sounds surprised. “I didn't know she wanted to be a writer.”

“Well, she didn't say exactly she wanted to be a writer, but we were talking about books, and I told her that you're a writer, and she was really excited about that, and I figured maybe the two of you could discuss fiction and all that good stuff.” I know that I'm twisting the truth, but I don't care. I want to see her outside of the office without it being awkward. Even though I know I shouldn't use my daughter in this way, it's the only way I know how to approach it.I know Canyon would forgive the lie because Canyon loves Juniper. And I truly do think that she would love writing, as well. She loves reading, so maybe they could write a book together and just bond.

“Sure, I'd like that.” Juniper's voice is soft again. “We can work out a time, and I’d be happy to talk to her about books and writing and all that good stuff.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it. I know that's not part of your traditional job description.”

“I know it's not part of my job description, Remington." She sighs. "I don't want you to think that I'm not going to do anything that's not part of the traditional job description.”

“So, you're willing to do other things?” I ask teasingly, glad she doesn't sound mad at me anymore.

“Um, depends on what the ‘things’ are.”

“Sounds good to me,” I say. "I like the sound of that."

“What do you think I’m talking about, Remington?”

“I don’t know. What are you talking about, Juniper?”

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