Page 90 of Think Outside the Boss

“Unless it’s serious,” I finish, putting the cup down. “God, I understand, Tristan. Completely. Let me just pack my stuff.”

He follows me down the hallway, clearly displeased with the situation. But I mean what I said. I understand. He’s a father. He has someone else to think about. While it’s not at all the same, I have my career and reputation, too. Neither one of us is entirely free to do as we please.

He leans against the doorway and watches me get dressed. “Joshua’s already met you,” he says.

“Yeah, I suppose so. Twice.”

“Right. Look, this is what we’ll do. I’ll call the electrician right away. Have him come over as soon as he can to look at your heater. It should be no more than a few hours.”

“That’s perfect, thank you.”

“Meanwhile, you join us in Central Park.”

My hands pause on the zipper of my jeans. “You’re sure?”

“He knows you and I are friends, and he’s met friends of mine before. I’ll introduce you as that.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

I smile at him. “Absolutely. But only if you’re okay with it.”

“I am. But just because I want to make sure, and I’m always honest with him…” Tristan pulls out his phone and shoots me a chagrined smile as he raises it to his ear. “Joshua has a phone for emergencies. Not that it’s always charged, but it’s worth a—oh. Hi, kiddo.”

A pause.

“Yeah, I’m coming down with your ski pants and boots in a few minutes. Do you have your hat?”

I pull on my shirt and hunt through his bedroom for my socks.

“Good. I have a question for you. Do you remember my friend? The elephant lady?”

My smile comes unbidden at that, and I look over at where he’s standing. Tristan is smiling right back at me. “Yes, that’s her. What do you think about her meeting us in Central Park?”

I sit down on his bed and pull on my socks, still looking at him.

He chuckles. “Only if she’s okay with having a snowball fight. Okay, I think that’s fair.”

I pretend to lob a ball at Tristan’s head, and he ducks to the side, grinning wide. “Okay, kid. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

He clicks off the phone and leans back against the wall. “He thought it was a great idea.”

“That’s terrific,” I say. “But elephant lady?”

“Is it better than strait-laced?”

“No. You really need to work on your nicknames.”

Tristan catches me around the waist as I pass, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Sweetheart,” he says. “I like that one.”

Something flutters in my stomach. “So do I, handsome.”

Grinning, he pulls me along down the corridor. “Let’s go. We have snowballs to throw.”

21

Freddie

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