Page 15 of Faking it with My Boss' Son

‘‘He is a very sweet person, someone who has always been there for me. I’m lucky to have him as a friend.’’ I shrugged.

Ryan pursed his lips. ‘‘That’s good.” He said with annoyance.

I ignored his tone and said ‘‘I’ll have breakfast ready in no time.’’ I smiled, turning the stovetop off and letting Ryan get back to his newspaper.

We ate breakfast, and then I headed to work.

As I stepped into the bustling headquarters of our software company, the hum of activity was inspiring. The office was overflowing with innovation, a fitting backdrop for my role as a management consultant. It promised to be another exciting day in the tech world.

My day kicked off with a video conference call with a client halfway across the globe. As we discussed their challenges and aspirations for a new project, I scribbled notes and brainstormed ideas on my tablet, already envisioning a roadmap for success. After the call, I dove into data analysis. Rows of code and performance indicators danced across my screen.

As I sat at my desk, engrossed in spreadsheets and emails, a voice broke through the hum of the office. "Special delivery for Michelle."

I looked up, and there he was – Ryan, standing with a warm smile and a bouquet of vibrant flowers in his hand. My heart skipped a beat as a chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" echoed from my coworkers.

"Surprise!" Ryan's grin widened as he held out the bouquet, a beautiful blend of colors that brightened up my workday.

I accepted the flowers with a laugh, feeling my cheeks warm. "You certainly know how to make an entrance."

"Only the best for my favorite person," he replied with a wink, drawing a collective "aww" from those nearby.

Then, with a flourish, he produced a bag from a local cafe. "And for lunch, a little treat."

I peeked inside to find a delicious assortment of sandwiches and salads. "You thought of everything!"

Ryan shrugged with a playful grin. "Well, you did mention yesterday that the office vending machine just wasn't cutting it."

Laughter bubbled up in my throat as I shook my head. "You've got me there."

As we chatted and shared a few more laughs, I couldn't help but notice my colleagues sneaking glances and exchanging knowing smiles. It was as if the office had turned into our own little cheering section.

Ryan leaned in, his voice softening. "Also, I might have an ulterior motive."

"Oh I know Ryan," I whispered back.

He nodded toward the hallway, where a familiar figure stood, Mr. Pearson, watching us with an approving smile. "I wanted Dad to see that I'm treating you right."

My heart melted at his thoughtfulness but knew it was all for show. "Well thank you Ryan, that was sweet of you.”

Ryan grinned, his gaze softening. "I could actually get used to this.” He said as he turned to leave my office.

As the day continued, I couldn't help but feel a warm glow in my heart with a sense of deep ache. Not just from the surprise flowers and lunch, but from the way Ryan seemed to care about making me happy, even though we weren’t really dating.

As I caught glimpses of his dad nodding in approval from time to time, I realized that this sweet surprise wasn't just about showing his dad he was a good boyfriend – it was about how genuinely he cared about us.

As it neared 5 o'clock, I reviewed my calendar for the next day. Meetings, progress checks, presentations—all in a day's work. I felt a sense of satisfaction from a busy, productive day.

***

When I got home, Ryan and I headed to the grocery store. On the way, I thanked Ryan again for the flowers and lunch.

“It was my pleasure Michelle. I have seen how hard you have been working and I thought that it would be a nice change of pace for one day.” He said with true sincerity, which made my heart flutter.

‘‘Is Lucas seeing anyone?’’ Ryan asked out of nowhere. I raised my eyebrows, wondering why Ryan would ask this question.

The mention of Lucas reminded me that I had to call him later. I had not told him or anyone at home that Ryan and I were living in the same apartment. It was hard to explain to anyone that we were only good friends. Even though we were living in the same apartment, we shared different rooms.

Although I was thrilled that Leah was coming to visit me, I was also a bit anxious about her reaction when she saw Ryan with me in the same apartment. But I knew I could trust her just the way she trusted me.

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