Page 10 of How to Marry the Boss

I continue anyway. “As for guests, I tend to keep mine to a dull roar. I expect you to do the same.”

“Don’t be a slob, leave you alone, and no crazy guests. Got it,” he lists off with his hand. “Anything else I can do for you?”

“When can I expect you to move in?” The only thing I can do at this rate is prepare for his “invasion.”

He looks at his watch and shrugs. “This afternoon sounds good.”

Is he for real? “Today? Why not tomorrow? What’s the rush?”

“Why wait, baby girl?” he smirks.

I try to mentally hold myself back from arguing with him. Jake has been, and always will be, the type of man to stick to something once he’s set his mind to it.

“Fine. Later today. What time?”

“Yeah, one would be best.” He doesn’t even hesitate to answer.

Unlocking my driver’s side door, I throw my small purse into the passenger seat.

“Fine. I’ll see you then.” I don’t look at him as I get in the car and drive into the night.

Chapter Three

Jake

Despite the overcast sky, today shows promise as I pull into Mia’s apartment complex. My truck is filled to the brim with boxes. Good thing I have my furniture coming a few hours later.

I was serious when I told her I’d be moving in just hours after the New Year arrived. I’ve spent so long apart from her; I’m done standing by the sidelines. Being forced to watch her walk away from me is not only torturous, it also pisses me off.

I admit, I’m nervous putting myself in front of her like this. The last time I did that for a woman, the relationship didn’t end well. Realizing then there wasn’t going to be a forever was like a slap in the face.

For years, Mia has been on my mind. I’ve seen how much of a beautiful woman she’s become. And now that she’s in my line of sight again, now that the age gap between us doesn’t seem so terrible, I want to take this chance with her. Not just to see if my desire to have her is unrealistic, but also to know if I’m meant tofind love again. If I’m worthy of that white-picket-fence dream. I have to know if I’m meant for all of it. I can’t keep wondering about this question anymore; I have to know.

Kissing her on New Year’s felt good. It felt right. Her soft lips on mine made me crave her more than I ever did before. Did she enjoy the kiss as much as I did? I lied when I said the kiss was a drunk moment. I had to. Especially with the murderous look on Jonathan’s face. If I had a do-over, it would have been away from prying eyes and even more passionate.

I want to tell my best friend how I feel about his sister, but when the time is right.

With my car keys in one hand, and a hot bag of burgers and fries in the other, I walk up to the red apartment door. Through the adjacent window, I see Mia with a pink mug in both hands as she stares daggers at me.

If any other woman showed me such a look of disdain, I’d proceed with caution. But I enjoy getting a rile out of Mia too much to back down. Besides, she looks cute when she’s mad.

I give her a cheeky smile back and mouth, “Hi.”

She opens the door and stands at the threshold. Her hair is in a long, messy braid. She wears a maroon, long-sleeved shirt and black sweatpants with white socks on her petite feet.

“You’re here,” she says with a flat expression. Her gaze turns to the bag in my hand. “With food?”

“I figured we’d have lunch before I got started.”

“We?”

Yes, we.

“You still like your cheeseburger plain, right?” I hope she accepts my peace offering.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. First you move in with me without you or Jonathan asking first. Then you show up expecting to have lunch with me as you move in. And now you want me to be somehow okay with all of this?”

I don’t blame her, but I continue with my white lie. It’s true Jonathan wants to make sure she’s okay, but he’d never go to these lengths. “He just wants to keep you safe.”

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