Page 47 of Unbossly Manners

In truth, I hadn’t known what to say or do. I let him lead, and he seemed happy chilling in front of the TV, not talking—so close, yet miles away. I’d been a rack of nerves. But I clamped my mouth shut, not wanting him to think I was needy or falling for him or whatever.

“It was as if what happened in the room didn’t exist outside of it,” I said.

“That’s weird.”

“It’s not. It makes working in the same office easier if we play down what we’re doing in his bedroom.”

“And how has it been at work?” Selena asked pulling one of Kat’s thick throw blankets over her legs. It was ninety degrees outside, but Kat’s apartment was ice cold and we couldn’t find the thermostat.

“Analise is still pissed about all those cancelations.” I had no more clues as to what happened. Analise was wary, but I’d convinced her that it wasn’t me who’d screwed up.

“That’s not what I meant.” Selena raised her eyebrows.

“What?” I feigned ignorance, but she knew me. She knew I was hiding something. And I was.

Feelings I wanted to ignore had been swirling inside me since the night Jackson and I were together. But falling for Jackson was not an option, so I shoved the warm and fuzzy feelings away, and practically ignored him. Not rudely, but I purposely avoided his office and stayed at my desk when I saw him walking around.

“It’s okay if you like him,” Selena said, gently.

“It’s not alright.” I threw my head back on the cushion dramatically. “Ugh. I do not want to be that girl.”

“What girl?”

“The girl who falls for a guy the second she has sex with him.”

“You didn’t have—” Selena stopped when she saw my unamused glare. “Why don’t you want to fall for him? He’s obviously attracted to you.”

“He’s doing this because he doesn’t want to be in a relationship, but he needs to do something to get over Kat. Falling for him will only lead to heartbreak.”

“How can you prevent it?”

I opened one of my dating apps, which I’d barely used since moving to the city. Or ever.

“I’ll go out with someone else,” I said.

Selena perked up, putting her mug on the table. “What about that detective. He was totally into you.”

“No way. He’s the owner of the company. And he’s not into me like that. He’s just nice.”

“He gave you way more attention than anyone else that night and he did not look happy when you disappeared with Jackson into his office after you punched him in the face.”

Selena snatched my phone and ran into the bathroom, locking the door. I yelped and ran after her. I jiggled the handle and banged on the door with my palms.

“Don’t, Lena. He’s my boss!”

I continued the banging until I was exhausted, then slid on the floor, resting against the door. Several minutes later she opened it and I fell backward.

“Ouch.”

Selena dropped the phone on my chest lightly. “You have a date next week.”

“What!” I snatched the phone and scrolled through the messages. There was a new text chain with Derrick.

Hey, thanks for that awesome self-defense class the other day. I was so impressed by your skills.

I’m glad you got something out of it. You were a natural.

I got a LOT out of it. I’d love more lessons.

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