Page 108 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

“Wait, is this a double date?” I stare at her in horror. “Penny, don’t tell me it’s a—”

“What?” She bursts into laughter. “No! Why would I try setting you up with someone when I know you’re still head over heels with someone else.”

“Ugh.”

“You’re still in love with Silas, aren’t you?” Her eyes narrow.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Awww.”

“Awww?” I mumble. “Stop mocking me.”

“I’m not!” She covers her mouth in mock shame. “Come on, get up and let’s go.”

I sigh, trying to find any excuse to get me out of this. “I’m pregnant, you know. I shouldn’t be out all night for . . . safety reasons.”

“Nice try.” She crosses her arms, undeterred. “Being one month pregnant is not a reason to stay home. And anyway, we’re just going out for a couple of hours. If anything, it’s good for you to get some fresh air and take your mind off things.”

“Fine,” I grumble, pulling myself off the couch. “But you owe me one.”

“Oh, please, like you won’t enjoy every second of getting out of this funk,” she says, flashing me that playful grin that could probably convince me to jump out of a plane if she tried hard enough.

I roll my eyes as I grab my purse.

I have no idea how she’s so chipper and excited about life while I feel like a sad, soggy sponge. Penny’s practically bouncing with energy, her blonde curls bouncing along with her, looking effortlessly put-together in her fitted blue dress and heels. And me? I glance down at my jeans and loose sweater, then at Penny’s raised brow, and grab a coat to cover it all up.

Not exactly a “going-out” outfit, but I’m going for “invisible” tonight.

“Who are you texting?” I ask as she turns her phone away.

“My date.”

“You still haven’t told me his name.”

“Um, Lucas.”

“You had to think about it?” I narrow my eyes.

“Back off, he’s a stranger.”

“Uh-huh.”

As we step outside, I’m glad I’m wearing a coat. Penny flags a cab, and in a matter of minutes, we’re on the road. When we alight, I realize just how close we are to the set of what seems to beDarkest Hour—Silas’s latest movie.

Just my luck.

“You know, Silas’s studio is just around the corner,” I say as we walk down the sidewalk—the sun’s setting, and the air’s thick with the city buzz.

“Yeah? I didn’t know that.”

I instinctively duck a little when we turn the corner, glancing around to ensure I don’t see his tall, broad frame anywhere. Penny notices and nudges me with a knowing smile.

“Oh, don’t worry,” she says. “Harvey’s in London right now, so there’s no way he’s around here.”

“How do you know that?”

She shrugs, looking suspiciously innocent. “I might’ve read it somewhere online.”

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