Page 47 of The Guy Who Became My Grumpy Boss

On the other hand, when I hadn’t been reliving mini golf from the night before, I’d been thinking about how to handle Marissa.

She’d texted me a dozen times throughout the day, and I’d had to have a conversation with her about the retreat. The exchange had been short, but I’d promised that we’d talk more tonight.

After I’d composed an email to the supervisors, had Tyrell look at it, and then sent it off, I headed to the hospital.

Instead of the train, I took a rideshare. One that didn’t require me to engage in a conversation, and by the time I got to the hospital, I had a solid plan.

Keep things concentrated on Marissa’s condition and the retreat.

No talking about old times between us.

No touching.

No talking about Jessica, and if she came up, redirect to the retreat.

Allow Marissa to spew ideas for the meal after mini golf, as well as the gift baskets Ameila had decided she wanted to send home with everyone.

Do not stay for more than thirty minutes.

I’d reviewed the conversation in my mind a dozen times, andas the rideshare dropped me at the hospital, I felt I was as ready as I could be.

I was really looking forward to having the rest of next week off so I could arrange flowers and be by myself.

Unless Jessica would agree to spending the evening with me again.

That thought tried to stick in my brain, but I gently pushed it aside. I couldn’t be thinking about Jessica while I was with Marissa. She would notice my inattention and try to figure out what was going through my mind.

I didn’t want that to happen.

I waited outside the hospital for three minutes until the food I’d ordered arrived. Marissa loved sushi, and since this would be her last meal until after her surgery, I’d decided to treat her.

Her parents had informed me they would not be here this evening, which is one reason I was on guard. Marissa’s parents were a good buffer between us, and their absence was likely calculated.

With the take-out bag in hand, I made my way to Marissa’s room. She smiled when I stepped inside, and I noticed that she’d taken the time to do her hair and makeup.

I resolidified my mental checklist as I approached.

“Sushi!” Marissa squealed. “My favorite. You remembered.” Her eyes glowed with gratitude.

“Indeed.” I unloaded on a small table near the door, then took a plate to her.

“Sit with me.” Marissa patted the bed.

I shook my head and settled into a nearby chair.

Her smile remained, even as she dug into her dinner. “This is delicious,” she said after the first bite.

While pleasantries were acceptable, I wanted to keep ahead of what might happen, so I said, “Do you have any ideas for the gift baskets?”

Marissa waved a hand. “I have a whole list on my phone.”

“Why didn’t you send it to me?” I asked.

“Because I knew you’d be by tonight.”

That made sense, but now this felt like even more of a trap.

“Will you tell me?” I asked. Marissa loved to tell me things.

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