Page 15 of A Foolish Work Flirtation

She avoids my gaze, and I notice she’s trembling slightly as she pulls the jumper over her head. Picking up her jacket, she says. “I should go. Good night.”

“Imogen, there is something I need to say.”

Her cheeks become pink. “Let’s forget it happened. I’m sorry I put you in an uncomfortable place. I wasn’t thinking.”

I step closer and pull her into my arms, tucking her head below my chin in a tight hug. “I should apologize. I’m not who you think I am.”

Pushing me away, she asks, “What do you mean?”

I stare into her wide blue gaze. “When I introduced myself this afternoon, I only gave you my first and middle name.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t understand.”

“My full name is Lorimer Alexander Stern. Most people call me Alex.”

Her head jerks back. “Why would you make me think you were someone else?”

“I didn’t think it would matter. It was an impulse. I wanted to cut dead any conversation about the wedding for a few hours.”

Imogen touches both of her cheeks. “I said negative things about you. You should have stopped me.”

I raise my hands with my palms up. “You spoke your mind. It felt refreshing to hear your real, unfettered opinion.”

Crossing her arms, she says, “You asked me all sorts of things. And I answered you. I would have never shared my real thoughts with the owner of Bespoke Adventures.”

“Why can’t you share your real thoughts?”

Imogen puts her jacket on. “No. That’s not the point. You lied to me.”

I grab my jacket. “It was more of an omission than a lie. But I apologize. I shouldn’t have done it.”

“A lie is a lie.”

I follow her. “It’s gotten late. I’ll walk you back.”

Opening the door, she says over her shoulder, “No. I’ll be fine on my own. Isn’t that what you want? Employees who stand on their own?”

“You’re not an actual employee. You’re filling in for Kate.”

Standing in the hallway, she says, “So that makes it okay to lie to me?”

I run a hand through my hair. She’s right to be angry. I’m an asshole for not being honest with her.

I keep my voice low. “No, it doesn’t make it okay.”

I follow her outside into the cold night. Her movements are short and choppy. Walking alongside each other, neither of us says anything.

When we get to her hotel, she turns and says, “Thank you for accompanying me. I don’t know how we are going to work this out. I’m embarrassed and feel tricked. I can’t imagine putting together a wedding for your family.”

I meet her gaze. “I promise not to make it awkward. I’ll keep it professional. But you should know that tonight was a sort of gift. I could be myself for a few hours and not what others want me to be.”

She raises her chin. “I don’t want anything from you. What do I even call you?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Lorimer. My family uses it. Or, if it feels more comfortable, use Alex. It doesn’t matter.”

She bites her lower lip. “Goodnight, then. Alex.”

She is distancing herself by calling me Alex. Wanting me to stay firmly in the role of boss. I get it. I didn’t intend for her to feel embarrassed. I wanted us to interact as normal people.

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