Page 15 of Never Bed the Boss
Apart from all the meetings, we’re going horseback riding to see more of the mountain. I almost laughed in Asher’s face when he asked me to schedule that. I wonder if he packed a custom suit for the occasion. It’s hard to imagine him wearing denim, but I think I’ll snag a cowboy hat for him from the gift shop. I can’t wait.
And after that, we might even see the northern lights thanks to the increase in solar activity over the next few days. At least, that’s what the locals have said. Asher rented out an old fire lookout for us so we could watch while we sample some of the local restaurants.
It’s not a date, Diary. He wants to make sure that Cherry Ridge can feed the cast and crew well if BlackeThorne moves forward with production here.
And by the end of the week, I’ll have checked multiple things off my bucket list. It’s crazy how fast I’m checking them off since I’ve been with Asher. He has no idea that I’m lovingeverythingwe’re doing.
Day15
I’m in trouble. Deep trouble.
No, my job isn’t in jeopardy. At least, as far as I can tell Asher is pleased with my work. All those years wrangling my siblings has paid off, so it’s been a smooth transition to wrangling Asher and his chaotic schedule. You wouldn’t know from his smooth appearance or his cold, calculating mannerisms that behind the scenes, his life is a bit of a mess.
But that seems to be a result of not letting go of the reins. He wants to control everything, but there are only so many plates a single person can balance and he reached capacity a long time ago.
He should have more than one assistant, honestly because—Okay! Sorry, Diary, but I’m getting side-tracked. All I mean to say is that I like my job, and I’d like to keep it. And that’s the trouble part.
I’m hopelessly falling for Asher. I knew it was a foregone conclusion before we left for Cherry Ridge, but after? It’s a done deal. It’s crazy. The trip didn’t feel like work. It felt more like a honeymoon but without all of the sex. There was no touching at all, even though we shared a bed for the entirety of the trip.
Each day felt like a dream. Horseback riding. Stargazing in the mountains with a cameo from the northern lights one evening. An impromptu concert at the hotel by one of my favorite artists. I checked off more bucket list items last week than I have in my entire life.
And I’m about to check off another: Fall for someone hard.
It’s happening, Diary. I feel it swirling in my body each time I look at Asher. A fluttering. Yes, atingling.I can’t help it though. I thought if I took out our physical connection from the equation, Asher would realize I’m not special and move on. I’d be able to keep my job without the complication of feelings because my hunch would’ve been right. I was just the flavor of the week.
But now I’m dreading that I made a huge mistake. I’m not sure if that’s what I want after these thirty days are over. IwantAsher to touch me again. I think I might quit if he moves on because I don’t think I’d be able to handle it if he doesn’t feel the same.
Diary, I have no idea what to do.
Day16
There’s nothing forbidden about two employees having a relationship. I read the company’s employee manual thoroughly. We have to fill out some forms, and that’s about it.
It’s good to know in case something like that might arise. That’s all. I had plenty of time to do some research while Asher was in meetings all day.
Tonight, I’m accompanying him to some event. He tells me it might be a little boring but it’s part of the job and he’ll be paying me a bonus. The truth is, I’d have done it for free.
Day17
Okay. That was not boring. It was aneventalright. The. Academy. Awards. WHAT? Talk about a never-going-to-happen bucket list item being knocked out.
I knew something was up when Asher brought me to his penthouse at the end of the day. And when I saw a stunning woman sitting on his couch, I nearly lost it.
Until I found out she was the stylist Asher hired for me. The dresses waiting for me weregorgeous.One-of-a-kind from designers I’ve never heard of before. It felt surreal. Even more surreal when the hair stylist/makeup artist waltzed in and worked her magic on me in preparation for our… Outing.
It wasn’t a date. It wasn’t.
It was a standard outing between a boss and his trusty assistant. We were there to rub elbows with industry magnates and nothing more. There was no fun to be had. And okay, we did lift the no-touching rule. But how else could Asher properly help me out of the limo and escort me down the red carpet?
My dress was not easy to maneuver by myself. We might’ve shared a dance or two at an after-party but that was it. It was a one-time thing, Diary. I swear.
But this all feels too good to be true. Less than a month ago I was getting by on cups of ramen noodles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when my lovely neighbor Josie wasn’t feeding me out of pity. I’ve been wearing the same clothes for most of my adult life because I can’t afford anything else.
But Asher’s been treating me like royalty. When I stumbled into the Ridgeway Hotel weeks ago, I was looking for a taste of this kind of life. A crumb. A scrap. But now I have more than my fair share, and I’m not sure it’s what I want.
Believe me, I don’t want to go backward. It just feels… too easy. What have I done to deserve it all? How can my life change so drastically in such a short time? I want to work for what I have, not have it given to me.
It’s complicated, and I’m trying to be grateful. Iamgrateful. But something just feels off and I can’t pin it down. At this rate, the next time we’ll talk it will be after my trip to the moon.
