Page 52 of Falling For Her Boss

“Bret, stop. You can’t tell anyone about this,” I growl. “This could put me in a lot of trouble…”

“But this is huge! Like crazy huge.”

“I know…but there’s a lot you don’t understand. I don’t want anything to jeopardize this, alright?” I run a hand through my hair, wishing I had Isabella beside me to help me with this. She’s always good at talking people down in a situation. She would know exactly how to get Bret to keep his mouth shut. I shake my head to myself, trying to concentrate on the question in my mind. What would Isabella do? How would she handle this?

It suddenly clicks what she would do. She would be entirely honest about the situation. She would appeal to Bret’s emotional side and make him see exactly why this has to remain a secret. I turn back to him and see that his pupils are dilated. He’s loving this gossip. He’s desperate to go and share it with the world, but I’m going to give him every reason to keep quiet. I’m going to fix this.

“Bret…what you don’t understand is that this isn’t some casual fling. I’ve been seeing Isabella for a few weeks now. Her brother is my best friend, and we’ve known each other for a very long time. Isabella was a part of my life before I even knew it, really. And now…well it’s like fate has brought us together.”

“Are you serious, man?”

I nod. “Completely. She means so much to me. And that’s why she is leaving the company. So that we can be together without judgment. If people find out what’s going on between us…well you can understand how it might be troublesome, right? After all…bosses aren’t supposed to hook up with their assistants. And I don’t want people thinking that this isn’t as serious as it is.”

Bret blinks several times. “How serious is it?”

It’s a question I wish he hadn’t asked. Because now, I have to tell him how I feel about Isabella before I’ve even had a chance to tell her myself. I was planning to speak to her tonight after dinner. Buy this situation is forcing me to play things a little differently, and if my honesty means that Bret keeps his mouth shut, then I have to do it. I sigh.

“I’m in love with her, Bret. I can see us getting married, having kids, the whole lot. I know that she’s the girl I’ve been waiting for all this time. And I really can’t bear the thought of anything tearing us apart, or presenting issues for our relationship. She’s so amazing…she could have anyone. I’m just lucky that she wants me. So please, Bret. If you have any consideration…you’ll keep this to yourself.”

Bret is staring at me, and it’s hard to tell if anything has sunken into his brain. He’s not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was still confused by what I’ve said. But after a while, he smiles at me, putting his hand on my shoulder.

“I had no idea you felt so much for her…I think that’s great, man. I totally get why you want to hold on to this…she’s a great girl. I won’t say anything. I swear.”

I try not to show how relieved I am. I don’t want Bret catching on to how worried I was about this. I put my hand on his arm in return. I feel like if I appeal to him on a friendship level, then he won’t be tempted to stray from his word.

“I really appreciate this, Bret. I know Isabella will too. You’re doing both of us a solid by keeping this between us.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Bret says with his biggest, goofiest grin. “And hey, man, I’m sorry for talking about Isabella like I did before…it’s just she’s hot, you know?”

I smile. “Oh, I know. Just keep those kinds of thoughts to yourself from now on, yeah? I can’t blame you for having them…you’re only human, after all…but you can understand why I don’t want to hear it, right?”

“Absolutely. Don’t worry, boss…your secret is safe with me. I won’t even tell my wife.”

I can’t help sighing in relief. I trust Bret’s word, somehow. He might be an idiot, but it seems like I’ve really drummed home my point. If he spills now, at least Isabella has some time to distance herself from the drama. But the way Bret is smiling at me, I feel like we’re safe. I put an arm around his shoulder and lead him back to the office.

“Champagne?” I ask. There’s nothing like buttering someone up to make sure they keep your secrets. Bret seems none the wiser, smiling as though we are best friends now.

“Hell yeah, man…let’s do this.”

As we enter the party once more, Isabella cranes her neck to look at us, looking nervous. She probably saw us leaving and had an inkling of what was happening. But Bret just winks in her direction and heads over to the table to pour himself a drink. I subtly give Isabella a thumbs up and she smiles to herself, returning to the conversation she was a part of. I stand to the side of the party once again, planning what I’m going to say to Isabella later tonight. I did tell a slight white lie to Bret. I’ve told her I love her a hundred times before. Tonight is much more important though. Tonight is going to be yet another turning point, because it’s hopefully going to prove to her just how much I care. We might not have been together for very long, but I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I just hope Isabella feels the same way. I want to make her mine forever. I pat my jacket pocket, feeling for the small box I’ve been keeping in there all day.

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