Page 68 of Friend Me

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Ben stiffenedat first when I hugged him in the lobby on Monday morning, but then he relaxed and patted my back.

Releasing him, I said, “I’m sorry. I’m usually better about respecting boundaries at work, but I’m soglad to see you.”

He tilted his head to the side. “Did you think I wouldn’t show?”

“Maybe.” I took the temporary badge from José at the security desk and handed it to Ben. “You wouldn’t have been the first.” He clipped the badge to his belt loop and smoothed down the caramel-colored sweater that matched his eyes.

I led him to the elevator. “After you’re done in HR, I’ll bring you up to speed and get you started. Cooper’s in meetings all morning, but he’s taking you to lunch, and you can get to know him then. Jackson’s coming back from a trip today, so I’ll need to spend some time with him. But other than that, I’m available until four o’clock.” I dreaded the conversation I needed to have later with Jackson about my new schedule.

After I dropped off Ben in Human Resources, I walked up to the sixth floor. I had about an hour to prepare for Ben’s training and catch up with Jackson. Even though I’d worked remotely the two days I’d been out, I was behind where I wanted to be for Jackson’s first day back.

I emerged from the stairwell and glanced at Cooper’s door, glad it was still shut. He shouldn’t need anything while he was in meetings. I cringed, remembering the last time I’d been in his office, when I’d thrown myself at him and we’d argued. Now I was glad he’d shown more restraint than I had. Seeing him today was going to be awkward enough.

My boss’s door was open with the light on. Poking my head inside, I smiled at him. “Hey, stranger.”

“Marlee, my savior!” His tan skin told me he’d spent time at the beach. He’d grown out his stubble until it was almost the full beard he’d had last year. Alicia must’ve finally told him she missed it.

He clicked his laptop into its docking station and walked out from behind his desk, arms wide. Guilt about what I needed to tell him twanged through me, but it could wait until after I’d greeted him properly. He folded me into his arms, and I hugged him back.

“Good trip?” I asked.

He smiled down at me. “The best. Fiji is amazing. We were in a bungalow right on the beach.” He released me and pointed at the club chairs by the window. He sat and crossed an ankle over his knee. “You wouldn’t believe how many stars we could see at night. We thought of you when we were trying to figure out the constellations. I know you know them all, but I may have tried to convince Alicia that one of them was SpongeBob SquarePants.”

I smiled at Jackson’s casual use ofwe thoughtas if he and Alicia even shared a brain now. Had my parents talked like that? Would I ever talk that way about someone?

“I’ve never seen the southern hemisphere’s constellations in person,” I said. “You should’ve brought a star map. Or used an app on your phone.”

He leaned back in the chair and folded his hands behind his head, elbows spread wide. “Didn’t need it. I wasplentyentertained.”

I held out my palm. “No. I don’t want to hear about the business part of your honeymoon.”

“What?” His eyes went innocently wide. “Alicia’s going to tell you all about it. I’ve heard you two cackling.”

“Aboutmylove life, not hers. You’re my boss. I have boundaries.” It was a lie. I knew all about—and envied—Alicia’s and Jackson’s fantastic sex life. But I didn’t want to hear the details from him.Thatwas over the line.

“Fine.” He raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure you maintainedboundarieswith Cooper while I was gone.”

The blood drained from my face. “Did he say something?”

Jackson stood and walked to the other window. “No. I haven’t seen him yet.Didsomething happen?”

“No.” I tried not to sigh as I said it.

“Ohh-kay.” Jackson had known me too long not to be suspicious. “Anything you want to talk about?”

My stomach clenched. “Actually, yes. But not about Cooper. About my dad.”

Jackson’s forehead crinkled. “Is he okay?”

I gave him a wry smile. “Not really.” I told him about our adventure at the BART station in as little detail as possible. “The doctor recommended I hire a caregiver during the day while I’m at work. And so I—” I faltered. “I need to cut back my hours so I can be home before she leaves. I understand if there’s a salary reduction.”

Jackson snorted. “You expect me to dock your salary just when your expenses are increasing?” He shook his head. “You’ve supported me too long and too well for that. You do what you need to do to take care of your dad. We’ll work it out.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Thanks. I won’t let you down. If you need me after hours, I’ll be happy to put in more time from home.”

He clasped my hand. “That’s great, Marlee. And let me—letus—know if there’s anything we can do to help.”

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