Page 151 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

I probably did if I thought about it. “I’m not always the Boy Scout you think I am. Despite the tie I put on each morning, I’m a man with flaws. I’ve gotten in more than my fair share of trouble, but there came a time when I had to choose between instant gratification and long-term satisfaction.”

Her expression is kind when she says, “I hate that you felt you had to be one or the other. You’re so much more than a prestigious title.” She starts backing away, but adds, “I can’t wait to watch you unravel.”

What would be considered an insult coming from any other person is a compliment from her. “Hey, where are you going?”

“We have work in the morning. I don’t want to give my boss a bad impression.”

Angling my head to watch her walk away, I rub my thumb over my lip, but then say, “You couldn’t if you tried, babe.”

A giggle escapes her, and she says, “I’ll see you in the morning.Babe.”

There’s so much more I want to tell her. That’s a sign to walk away before things turn from platonic to erotic. “Want me to walk you home?”

With her back to me, she waves over her head. “Good night, Drew.”

Drew.It’s hard to repress my smile.Why do I like hearing her say my name so much?

I turn to Gil, who’s holding the door open, and sigh. Two guys standing alone, one just witnessing the other getting shot down. “We’re just friends.”

He tips his head. “Keep telling yourself that, Mr. Christiansen.”

I will.

15

Andrew

Lyingto ourselves is sometimes the best medicine.

I thought it would feel like any other regular workday when I walked into the office this morning. But disappointment set in the moment I saw the empty reception desk.

We’re just friends . . .

Don’t think about Ice Cream Drew or her tongue licking the pink ice cream. Fuck, that’s going to be a hard memory to erase. It’s just too good to forget.

So what if I enjoy seeing Juni Jacobs on a regular basis? That’s normal. Men and women can be friends. Look at Dalen and me.

Just because I’ve had thoughts of having sex with Juni in my office doesn’t mean a thing. I shake my head and hurry to said office to hide out before she shows up.

I’m so fucked.

I need to clear my head. I’m at work, for fuck’s sake, and these kinds of thoughts could lead to me being fired.Can I be fired?Basically, Juni’s turned me into an asshole.

Although she’s not entirely to blame. I can squarely place a lot of responsibility on that damn black skirt of hers. I wish I’d never seen it. I wouldn’t be losing my fucking mind if I hadn’t.

I’m greeted by a few other early birds on my way down the hall. When I approach my door, I notice it’s already open. That’s odd. I distinctly remember locking it last night. Mary and the night janitor are the only two people with keys.

I slowly push it open and look inside to find Juni standing in front of my desk wearing another skirt that highlights her curves and high fucking heels again.

Nick is right. Juni is tempting me into an ethics code violation.

Although it’s confusing to riddle through her different sides. I’m starting to get a fuller picture. She’s become two sides of the same person. There’s work Juni and then the one I hung out with last night.

Not sure I can say much since she pegged me as Ice Cream Drew and CEO Andrew. I knock and then walk in. “May I help you?”

She jumps, a gasp forced out as she holds her hand on her chest. “Oh my God, Andrew. Why are you sneaking around? You scared the crap out of me.”

“I wasn’t sneaking around,” I say, peering outside my office just in case anyone heard her. Our office is full of lookie-loos and listening-lindas. What office doesn’t love a little gossip?

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