Page 33 of Bossy Grump's Secret

She shrugs casually to say, "It's not mutually exclusive. They're literally the same sighting. If I could be caught sleeping in a guest room, imagine being caught with a penis shoved inside me in the supplies room."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, and my chest resonates with a low growl. "What have I done?"

"That's right. Regret it. Regret every moment you've spent with me." She nods her head and looks everywhere but at me.

"We both agreed it was a mistake," I hiss. "Why are you acting like it matters!?"

"I'd like to get back to work."

"Ava, you're not being..."

"I'm sorry..." Her voice is higher than mine, with enough intensity to silence me, "... for sleeping on duty. I promise I'll try not to fall into that kind of stupidity again," she says. The passive aggression grates me to the bone. "If you'll excuse me, I'll fold the sheets."

She turns away without expecting an answer from me. I open my mouth more than twice to give a response but decide against it. It's the right choice because I bump straight into Jane as soon as I turn to go myself.

"Sorry, Dylan. Any problem?" she asks, displaying her usual good nature.

"Oh, not at all. I'm sure we understand each other now," I reply and begin moving off.

We'll settle this in the evening. I decided I'd end things with her. The whole boss-worker thing just isn't working between us. From that very moment, I practice my lines.

We haven't been together long, so it shouldn't hurt her much.

I try to comfort myself, but that does no good. What about you? Can you manage the hurt? I'm sure I can. But she's like a drug; even the most addictive variation has its withdrawal point. I'll get over it. But will I because allowing myself to get lost in her eyes reaffirms that she's not just a onetime fling? What I have shared with her these past few days is something genuine enough for me to want to see it grow.

"You're not gonna let me in?" I ask warily, standing at her door.

"You can come in even if we don't want you to, so what's the point?" Ava rolls her eyes and steps out of the way.

"I can't." I feel the need to clarify, "It's your space."

She hums. Something about when Ava goes incommunicado stresses me. She should throw the accusing questions, with me deflecting her attacks with flighty answers.

"How was work?" I try. Not knowing what to say sucks... especially when I have planned it all out. Seeing her face-to-face makes everything fly off, especially when she's not as confrontational as she normally is.

"Fine. I finished before the shift officially closed," she offers and shrugs.

"Huh."

"Took your advice and didn't sleep more," she mocks and chuckles.

Even Lily can feel the tension in the room. She looks intensely at both of us, not moving.

She's not holding her breath...is she? There needs to be more familiarity between Ava and me to continue this relationship. Still, I don't know how to phrase it. Do I even want to end it? I move closer to her and hold her waist. "Well, you can sleep now... with me," I drawl.

No. I'm not ending the relationship. The way she accepts me tells me enough. She's too beautiful…and too complicated for me to give up like that.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted earlier. I was in the wrong, but...I don't know. This relationship complicates things," she voices, her breath mixing with mine.

A little too late for that now, don't you think, Ava?

I should open a conversation about ending the relationship now, but I don't want to. I want her. Her warm, soft skin will give me more comfort than I'm worth, and her smile when she's with me is enough to send me sky-high.

There has to be another way. Maybe I'll be more vigorous about avoiding her during work times. Not just to avoid sexual tension, but to prevent any form of argument. I'm ready to take that compromise - for her.

"Now, I'm tired." I try to stifle a yawn. She kisses my cheek and blushes when I give her one back with a smile. There's no better way to end the day than seeing her smiling face opposite mine, drifting to sleep.

I'm awake earlier the following day to get to my room before I'm spotted by anyone, but I don't mind. I’m up earlier than anyone every day, anyway. In the bathroom, the entire plan seems easy to execute. Before, it was just to avoid her when she was alone. Now, it's to avoid her altogether. This has advantages and disadvantages.

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