Page 21 of Single Dad's Second Chance

“Do you really intend to ask a dancer here to come work at your new club?” I asked, wanting to keep the conversation about his goals here.

“I do. Fifty is opening in a new location, far from here. Miami is a big step in a new direction, but I feel good about branching out to a different area.”

“Miami.” I sighed, envisioning the Floridan heat. “That is far away. But you know what? That sounds like a good thing. A new start in a totally new place. I’ve wondered about doing that myself.”

“Opening a nightclub in Miami?”

I elbowed him gently, but he snagged me closer by draping his arm around my shoulders and keeping me close. “No. Starting over somewhere new.”

Without releasing me, he peered down at me and frowned. “You’d want to leave New York?”

I did and didn’t. I couldn’t, anyway. I had no prospects elsewhere. And I would never be able to leave Henry. Or Jason. Even Eddie. Not the family-like setting at the office, either. I’d miss them all too much. At the same time, I knew it was stupid to want to stay stuck in place because of a crush on my boss that wouldn’t ever go anywhere.

I lowered my gaze, but he turned toward me, forcing me to glance up.

“Why would you want to leave New York?” he asked, taking my hesitation to reply as an answer that I would want to go far from here.

I sighed, searching for words. I couldn’t tell him the truth. Not like this. Maybe not ever. I had no business wanting him, and even if I was stupid enough to admit that I yearned for a relationship with him, strict policies at the office stood in the way.

“Mia…” He furrowed his brow and shook his head. “I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life.”

Damn, does that hurt.His blunt words cut at me. I felt friend-zoned, horribly so, and a raw ache burned in my chest.

He couldn’t see a life without me because I was a good worker. Because I was dependable in the office. Because I helped with Jason.

Under his close gaze, I was stuck under the obligation to say something. I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry.

“Want another drink?” he asked, noticing my throat flexing. “Thirsty?”

I nodded, wondering how he could be so damn sweet and attentive to me but also stubborn to keep me at arm’s length. It wasn’t a hot-and-cold treatment. It was simply the sad signs of an unrequited love. One day, I’d just have to accept that he didn’t want me like I did him.

“Um, yeah. A drink would be nice. Just a water.”

He lifted his head, looking around. “I’ll head to the bar instead of waiting for someone to come to our table.”

“Okay. Sure. I’ll be right here.”

The smile he flashed at me felt too good, like he enjoyed my promise to stay put for him. I relished the idea that I could make him so happy. Pleasing him as a good employee was one matter, but wanting to make him content as a friend felt better.

I watched him walk off, nervous since it was a break in the program. Any minute now, someone could come up and talk to me, and that would be one more step closer to my “secret” being revealed.

But I was safe. For the several minutes while Henry went to the bar, I sat there in peace, free to be and wait with the rest of the crowd for the show to commence. No Danger employee approached me. The shadows shrouding our table must have done the trick of hiding me from my coworkers on the stage, buttoo soon, another man stalked up to me from the next area of seating.

“You’re too lovely to be sitting here looking so lonely,” he said with a smarmy, sleazy smile.

“Oh, I’m not lonely,” I replied, not turning toward him fully. The less I engaged with him, the quicker he might leave. Still, his wording hit me. I’d just talked about being lonely with Jason when he’d asked. Truly, I was lonely. So desperate to fit in with Henry.

“Looks like you’re all alone right here and now…” He reached for my hand, grasping two of my fingers in a swift clutch.

“Get your hand off her.”

Henry was back, two waters in hand. His eyes were slitted, and nothing about his tense expression suggested that he was in a patient mood. I’d heard his no-nonsense tone of authority many times, but never like this.

And not over me.

“Whoa. Hey, now.” The man stepped back, holding his hands up in a truce-like manner. “I was just?—”

“You were just leaving,” Henry finished for him coldly as he shouldered his way toward me. He didn’t take his stern gaze off me for a moment, locking his eyes on mine. In those dark blue eyes, I caught the hint of jealousy. The tightness in his jaw proved it.

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