Page 43 of SEALED By the Boss

I also heard him about to walk away and instantly felt ashamed of myself.

“I’m sorry, Erwin,” I said, taking his arm. “I didn’t mean to snap at you and be a bitch and all. I just had a horrible night. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you, though.”

“No, it’s fine.” He waved a hand dismissively, but I could still sense there was some hurt lingering. “I shouldn’t have been nosy—”

“No, don’t say that.” On impulse, I hugged him. It was the first time I’d ever done that, and I could sense Erwin was surprised by the move since we’d never hugged before.

It was difficult to explain Erwin and my relationship, but ever since I started working for him, we’d been close. He was something of a big brother to me. He was like that with all his employees, but he especially looked out for me, and I appreciated him for it.

I felt his hand hesitantly come up to pat me on the back, and I leaned back to look him in the face and smiled.

“I’m really sorry for being a bitch,” I apologized again. “Thank you for always putting up with it and for asking and continuing to ask. I don’t think you know how much I appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it, kid,” he responded. “I just don’t want to see you go down the wrong path.”

“Most other people would have given up on me by now.”

He smirked at me. “Most people know how to mind their own damn business.”

“Most people don’t have a heart like you,” I countered, and he blushed.

“Thanks.” He dropped his hands. “Now, let’s stop all the mushy stuff before someone gets the wrong idea.”

The restaurant was pretty empty, and everyone else was involved in something else, but I understood what he meant. And it wasn’t good for his reputation either to be stuck with me.

So I let him go and went back to work.

Once my shift was over, I glanced out at the darkening sky, dreading having to go home. That was when I received the text.

Hey.

Bethany. I sighed. We hadn’t spoken in a long time simply because I’d been too busy with other things. Also because…well, I didn’t know what to say to her. I felt a little strange about what I’d seen at the bar the last time.

Still, she was my closest friend, and I hated not speaking to her.

I called her as I walked to my car. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself. I was beginning to think maybe I didn’t have a best friend anymore.”

“Sorry, babe.” I got in the car. “Just been very busy.”

“Too busy to talk to your best friend?”

The annoyance in her voice only magnified my guilt. “I’m sorry. I’m free right now. I can come over to your place.”

“No. I’m at Jensen’s Bar. Come here.”

I resisted the urge to sigh again. That was the last place I wanted to be right now, but I didn’t want to risk Brenda’s wrath by canceling again.

“Sure,” I said, hoping that this time, since it was a weekday, maybe it would be different.

But it wasn’t any different.

It was still as loud and boisterous as ever. Brenda was there alone at the bar this time, and I pulled up a stool next to her.

“Hey,” I said, giving her a half hug.

“Hey.” She looked morose.

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