Page 69 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“Were you busy all day?” he questioned with a hint of anger in his voice. I wasn’t sure where he was going with it but it put me on edge. His demeanor was calm, but I got the sense there was a volcano brewing inside of him.

“Yes, it’s been rather busy,” my voice was slightly shaky indicating my nervousness. “Both Samuel Sr. and Jr. had many questions so I kept getting interrupted.”

“Yeah, there is a lot of groundwork that has to be laid for the company to be successful and profitable in the future.” I was puzzled at the change of subject. And his mood swings. I felt like I should press him a bit on what set him off with Samuel to understand what he was thinking. I felt he was rapidly putting his walls up between us. Or maybe it was me? I wasn’t sure anymore.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll succeed,” I commented. “I have a feeling you never fail at anything.”

He gave me a tight smile but said nothing. I waited, watching him for any signs, but his body language remained calm, his face cold and distant.

My phone rang and I jumped out of my skin. I forgot I had it on me.

“Go ahead and take it, Gemma. Might be your kids,” he nudged although his voice remained cold.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled as I was checking who it was. It was Betty, and I furrowed my eyebrows looking at the time.

“Just answer it, Gemma,” he said, looking at me intently.

I pressed the answer button, giving an apologetic look to Kristoff. After all, he was still my boss.

“Hey, Betty. All ok?” I answered the phone call.

“Yes, yes. Everything is fine. I just wanted to make sure you are still onboard for our night out.”

I looked at my phone. Damn thing was on speakerphone. I tried to switch it off the speakerphone and I heard Kristoff chuckle.

At least he is smiling, I thought to myself.

Darn technology.“Yes, Betty. I’ll be there,” I replied in resignation. “We still have a few days till then. Although, I think it is silly.”

“It is not!” she screamed. “It is our last time, our last hurrah. Unless you want to do it when you turn forty. Although we’d have to wait a few years.”

“No, I absolutely do not want to do that when I turn forty. I have a different idea of fun,” I told her, wishing the conversation would be over since Kristoff could hear every word of it. “Ok, I have to go.”

“Hold on, hold on,” she hurried to stop me.

“Yes?” My voice sounded exasperated. You just never knew what kind of crazy comment Betty might have.

“Are you bringing anyone? I could hook you up,” she suggested and I rolled my eyes. This was such bad timing.

“Betty,” I started quietly through clenched teeth. “We talked about it already.” I took a deep breath feeling Kristoff’s intense gaze on me. “I’ll talk to you later. Bye!”

I pressed end before Betty could say anything else. I wished I never answered the damn phone.

Silence stretched between us again, and I carefully looked at Kristoff. He was still sitting back seemingly relaxed in his chair, but again I had a feeling there was a storm underneath all that calmness. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“Sorry about that,” I mumbled.

“No worries,” he answered, rocking back and forth in his executive chair, his eyes on me.

With what little bravery I had left, I came around and leaned my back against his desk while facing him.

“Betty has this crazy notion that since she is forty now, she has to do one last hurrah and party it up all night like we did in college.” I wasn’t sure why I was even explaining myself to him. I really owed him no explanation. “Seems kind of silly since we’ll be the oldest people there. So we’ll probably feel even older than we are,” I contended.

“You don’t like nightclubs?” he asked nonchalantly.

I laughed. “They weren’t my thing in my twenties. They are even less my thing now. I like my sleep too much.”

He didn’t answer so I added, “How about you? Like nightclubs?”

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