Page 23 of The Proximity Effect

But as I watched her take a deliberately casual sip of her own coffee, avoiding my eyes, I wasn’t sure I understood anything anymore. Especially why doing the right thing felt so wrong.

Chapter 9

Completely Professional… Maybe

Tessa

Appropriate boundaries.

For some reason, those two words cut deeper than when Declan had ended things. That’s saying something, considering I’d spent three days in my pajamas eating nothing but cookie dough. This reaction should have been my second glaring, neon-sign-worthy warning that I was diving into the deep end without my floaties.

The first sign had been the way Archer had kissed me like I was the last woman on earth. It had been unlike any kiss I’d experienced, and it took my mind to dangerous territory and made me wonder what it would be like if we took things further. Much, much further.

But if Archer wanted to keep things professional, I could do that. I was a grown woman, and I could absolutely handle maintaining appropriate boundaries with the stubborn, irritatingly handsome man who’d purposely turned his hat backward.

It was totally fine. Completely manageable. I’d have to embrace my inner ice queen and pretend his presence didn’t make my skin tingle like I’d touched a live wire. No big deal.

I needed this change in my life, even if it was temporary. “So, where do I sign?”

Archer seemed frozen, staring at me like I’d offered to juggle flaming chainsaws while reciting the alphabet backward. His coffee cup paused halfway to his mouth. “You still want the job?”

“Did you rescind the offer in the last twelve hours?” I raised an eyebrow, hoping I was showing professionalism rather than ‘woman who had her tongue down your throat last night.’

He set his cup down carefully, like he was buying time to choose his words. “No, the offer stands. What were you thinking in terms of pay?”

“Um… can I get back to you on that?” I needed to do research on the area and what the going rate was for a chef.

“We’ll also give you full benefits after a month, and since you live out of town, we can offer you lodging in one of the standard rooms with full board until you decide your long-term plans.”

I choked on my coffee. Living at Sterling Pines? Where I’d have to see him every day? Where I might run into him in the hallways late at night? Where the memory of that kitchen kiss would haunt my every waking moment?

And then there were Liam and Evan, who I didn’t even want to think about.

“That’s very generous, but I think I’d prefer to keep some separation between work and... everything else.” Like my sanity. And my increasingly inappropriate thoughts about what that backward hat might mean about his... professional boundaries.

His shoulders relaxed slightly. “That’s probably wise.”

“Besides, it’s safer for everyone if I maintain some distance from temptation.” I immediately wanted to crawl under the table.

Archer’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might backtrack on the appropriate boundaries he’d set. Instead, he cleared his throat. “Tomorrow morning, eight AM? We can handle the paperwork and discuss hiring kitchen staff to replace the ones who quit. Tonight we can do what we did last night.”

Did that include ice cream and making out? My mind unhelpfully flashed back to the way his fingers had gripped my hair in that kitchen. The memory sent a wave of warmth through me. This whole “maintaining professional boundaries” thing was going to be about as easy as teaching a cat to tap dance.

“Perfect. Totally perfect. Completely and utterly—” His phone buzzed, cutting off what was surely going to be another embarrassing ramble.

He glanced at the screen and frowned. “I need to take this. It’s the resort’s lawyer.” He paused. “Well, the other lawyer. The one that’s not me.”

“Of course.” I stood up, gathering my things and standing. “I’ll see you tomorrow at eight. For completely professional purposes. With appropriate boundaries and everything.”

Why couldn’t I stop talking?

He chuckled as he lifted the phone to his ear. “Goodbye, Tessa.”

The cold air cooled my heated cheeks as I made my escape. I headed toward the bakery with more pep in my step than there had been in a while. My mind was already spinning with plans for the restaurant.

And then, like some divine intervention, the morning sun hit a red sign just right, making it practically glow. Above the bakery was a large window with a sign that read, “Studio For Rent. Month to month available.” I stopped dead in my tracks, nearly causing the person behind me to plow into me.

It was perfect. Close enough to the resort but far enough away to maintain those all-important boundaries. Plus, living above a bakery? That had to be a good omen, right?

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