Page 77 of Three Bossy Boyfriends
“And now you found it with Evan?”
I feel a weird ache in my chest. It’s a combination of emotions. In part, I love the fact that Christopher has finally found the person he’s been looking for. I also love that he fully appreciates how awesome Evan is. Everyone deserves to be with someone who’s been waiting for them that way.
But I also feel a strange yearning. I want that too. I want someone who feels like they’ve been waiting for me. Who sees me walk in and says,‘Wow, she’s something special. I want her to be mine.’
“I do think I found it with Evan, yes,” he says. He’s quiet for a moment, then he says. “I take relationships seriously because I’m an only child. And I lost my parents about twenty years ago. Car accident. I’ve been on my own for a long time.”
I gasp softly and squeeze his hand. “Oh my God, Christopher, I’m so sorry.”
He nods. “Thanks. It’s been a long time. I thought I’d gotten used to being alone, and day to day I guess I have, but I’ve never stopped wanting to not be alone. If that makes sense. I’ve always had this hope that eventually I wouldn’t be. Navigating the world on my own has made me realize how much I want a family. I want a home. I want it filled with people I love. I want people to celebrate holidays with, who I can celebrate on their birthdays and anniversaries, who I can encourage and celebrate when amazing things happen for them at work and personally.”
Oh, damn. I like him so much. I’ve liked him from the start. He’s charming and funny and smart. And hot. But now, after last night and today, being given more looks inside at who he really is…I like him as much as I like Evan.
I sigh. “Just so you know, it’s going to be very hard to hide that I’m attracted to you at work from now on.”
He smirks down at me. “Darn.”
We arrive at the market and spend a few minutes wandering up and down the wide lanes lined with booths selling everything from jewelry to soap to jelly.
Eventually, we decide on scones, jam, and mini muffins that look and smell amazing. Christopher also chooses two different yogurts, an entire fruit basket, and three different kinds of ground coffee.
“There are three of us,” I laugh as the woman bags the freshly ground coffee. “You act like you have an entire party coming for brunch.”
He only grins. “I just want my guests to feel treated and eager to come back.”
I’m already eager to come back, and I know that’s not an option. I feel that familiar squeeze in my chest.
He takes my hand as we leave the coffee counter.
“Your family probably does big, huge brunches, right?” he asks.
I laugh. “My family does everything big and huge.”
“I can see that. So you understand where I’m coming from when I say I want to fill up my house and make it a home.”
Oh, well… “I understand wanting people around,” I say. “But it is possible to be in a huge house full of people and still feel lonely.”
He stops. Right in the middle of one of the lanes. Someone behind us grumbles as they step around us.
“Finley.”
I shouldn’t have said that. I look up at him. “I just mean, I understand what you say about wanting to fill it with certain people. Special people.”
He shakes his head, and I know he’s not going to let me get away with that comment without more explanation. “You’re lonely when you’re with your family?”
“Sometimes,” I admit. “I know they love me. But I’m the oddball. And it’s often very obvious.”
He just studies me for a moment, then looks around and pulls me to the side around the back corner of a stand selling candles and essential oils.
“Tell me about your family,” he says.
“You know them.” I shift uncomfortably.
I shouldn’t have said anything. Christopher is my boss. And the guy I had sex with last night. One time. It was a hot fantasy that is not going to be repeated. But he’s not my friend. And he’s not my boyfriend. And he’s not my therapist.
“I do know them,” he says. “I know your dad very well. He’s a good guy. And I’ve met your sisters and mom. They all seem wonderful. And I know they love you. Help me understand whatyou’refeeling.”
I look into his eyes and I see that he means this. He really wants to understand.
