Page 20 of Boss Me Around

She’s also never said no to a hookup, even after we officially called it quits.

I should ask her if she wants to hang out with me at the bar during the banquet. I could slip her a few free drinks, chat with her during lulls to make the shift go by faster, then take her home with me at the end of the night.

Once I’m inside another woman, I’ll forget how much I want to be inside Starling.

Honestly, that’s probably a big contributor to my obsession with my boss. I haven’t fucked another woman since I started working with Starling. I’ve been so focused on learning everything I can about marketing strategies and applying for the job in Minneapolis, I haven’t had time to find a friend-with-benefits to keep me company during my last few months in Bad Dog.

I’m on my way over to Ari, an invitation forming on my lips, when I catch a flash of blueish green out of the corner of my eye. I turn toward the line already forming outside the giant King’s Feast tent to see Starling batting her eyes at none other than my cousin Theo.

Theo, who saved Wally’s life back when we were kids.

Theo, who was then, and is now, a genuinely nice guy with a great job, a decent sense of humor, and not a mean bone in his body.

Theo, who would actually be a great fit for Starling and who is actively looking to settle down and get started on forever with the right girl.

Theo, who is looking at Starling like she might be that girl, inspiring a wave of irrational possessiveness that has me making tracks their direction before I know what’s hit me.

Chapter Nine

STARLING

Theo McGuire has incredible eyebrows.

He also has gorgeous, deep blue eyes, a fabulous smile, and a lean, fit, runner’s build. He has a great job as a marketer for a new real estate developer in town, volunteers at the senior center—that’s how Nora knows him and why she introduced us—and loves goofy comedy and 70’s soft rock as much as I do.

On paper, Theo looks like a fantastic potential mentor.

He’s been in several long-term relationships, has an easy confidence that makes me think he likely knows what he’s doing in the bedroom, and is clearly interested. He’s barely taken his eyes off me since he joined Nora and me in line, even when Nora got really excited about the glasses of mead the waiters were handing out to sip while we wait, and nearly bounced her boobs out of her dress again.

But Theo’s gaze didn’t stray. If anything, his attention grew even more fixed on my mouth as I sipped my mead and licked the honeyed liquid off my bottom lip.

I would bet my next paycheck that Theo wants to kiss me.

There’s only one problem—Theo McGuire isn’t Christian McGuire and for some stupid reason my body still wants Christian. Even though Christian made it clear that he thinks I’m a ridiculous virgin whose attempts at seduction sound more like a fart joke than quality dirty talk.

He was so repulsed by the thought of sleeping with me that he ran away from me and seems to have vanished from the fair. He’s probably off banging a woman who doesn’t have an ancient hymen and questionable flirting skills without a care in the world.

So really, I’m practically obligated to bang Theo.

Or at least kiss him. Just to see if there might be something there. Sparks don’t always sizzle right away. Sometimes you have to give the flame a little kindling to get the fire started.

In the name of kindling things along with Theo I rest my hand on his arm as I say, “No way, Daddy’s Home 2 is the best Will Ferrell movie. Hands down.”

“What? Are you feeling okay?” Theo reaches up, resting the back of his hand on my forehead. There are zero tingles, but the feel of his cool hand against my forehead isn’t repulsive, either, which I decide to take as a good sign. “You seem to be feverish. It’s clearly a tie for best movie between Elf and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”

“No way,” I say, laughing as I playfully guide his hand away. “Daddy’s Home 2 is awesome. It’s funny and cringy and heartwarming.”

“And horrible,” he counters. “Elf is heartwarming without the horrible. If you’re going for heartwarming, that’s the obvious choice.”

“Guess we’ll have to agree to disagree,” I say, holding his gaze as he steps closer.

“Or we could do a rewatch at my place.” He glances past me to Nora, who has been pretending to be very absorbed in something on her phone as she sips her mead, giving Theo and I space to chat. “You could come too, Nora. I have a giant couch in my movie room in the basement. Plenty of room for everyone.”

Nora looks up. “Oh, thank you, but I should head home after the banquet. My brother doesn’t know Gram’s pre-bedtime routine as well as I do. I want to make sure he doesn’t forget any of her medications.” She glances my way, giving me a quick wink before she adds, “But you two should go. A movie night sounds like the perfect way to unwind after a day at the fair.”

Theo beams a hopeful grin my way. “What do you think? We could start with Daddy’s Home 2, let you point out the brilliant parts I’ve apparently missed in my viewings thus far?”

“Theo, what’s up, man?” a deep voice booms seconds before Christian stumbles into the small space between us, forcing Theo and I to take a step back to avoid having our toes stomped.

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