Page 46 of For You, Sir

I tipped my head left and right in a so-so gesture. “I guess.” Instead of deliveringnoscript, I could just give the studio a disappointing one. Well, disappointing intheireyes. I’d still be writing about something I cared about, and maintain my artistic integrity, at least.

The idea had seemed unconscionable months ago—I needed to dazzle the studio execs for the sake of my ego. But now Jun provided a tempting reason to finish the damn script, no matter what. Though the resulting movie might still suck, it was better than quitting entirely. I could survive a few knocks to my artistic reputation as long as I proved myself tohim.

To get off the topic of writing, I asked, “What’s the latest with the Olsen family?”

Jun sat up, brightening. “My new lawyer said I’ve got a strong case. Apparently, it’s a felony to do what they did: threatening me with false allegations so I’d give them money. He said I could charge them with civil harassment, too. Because they kept calling me and leaving threatening voicemails.”

I felt a little hurt Jun had never told me about the voicemails. No wonder he’d been so scared. Those bastards were probably blowing up his phone the day he called in sick to work.

“As soon as my lawyer threatened to counter-sue the Olsens, they withdrew their suit. Maybe they were bluffing all along,” Jun said. “They don’t have evidence to support their abuse claims, but Idohave evidence to support extortion and harassment charges.”

“Are you going to press charges?” I hoped Jun wouldn’t be sucked into an ugly legal battle.

He shook his head. “I just want them to leave me alone. Now they will.”

“Great!” I smiled. Score one for the good guys.

“Thank you, Sir. For everything.” He shyly dipped his head. “I would have caved to their threats if it weren’t for you.”

“Don’t thank me,” I said, waving a dismissive hand. “You handled it all yourself.”

“You believed in me.” Jun’s dark eyes earnestly searched mine, and he leaned slightly closer. “That’s what I needed most.”

My heart thudded in my chest. “Of course. Any time.”

With our gazes locked, him sitting so close, I was sure he was going to kiss me. I waited for it, heart pounding. The potential hung in the air between us like a ripe fruit.

I wanted to close the distance, but with the boss/butler power imbalance, it seemed safer to let Jun make the first move. Wasn’t it more acceptable for a butler to hit on his boss than the other way around? The tension built between us like an electric charge until Jun glanced away, clearing his throat.

Damn.We had to ditch this boss/butler dynamic so I could snap him up properly. But if I wanted Jun to think of me as boyfriend material, I needed to prove that I could leave the house.

I steeled my nerve and said, “I was thinking of running an errand this afternoon. Want to come?”

Jun blinked. “You want…to go out?”

“Yeah.” I put on a serene smile, even as my stomach flipped. “I’m finally feeling ready.”

Jun’s eyes brightened. “Okay! Where would you like to go?”

Alarm bells rang through my primal lizard brain.No! What are you thinking?I pushed the fear back down. If leaving the house made Jun this happy, Ihadto do it.

“There’s a shop downtown called Sweetwater Tea,” I said. “Would you drive me there?” The place looked tiny from the outside—less intimidating than a grocery store, anyway. I could buy Jun a fancy teapot as a gift.

“I’d like that.” Jun slid his foot forward along the deck, and my heart fluttered as the side of his polished loafer brushed my running shoe.

“When would you like to go?” Jun asked.

Later. Tomorrow!“How about now?”

“Dressed like that?” he asked with a cheeky smile.

I glanced down at my dirty jeans, the sweat-soaked shirt sticking to my skin. “I was going to shower and change first, smart guy.” I gave him a playful shove, leaving a trace of dirt on his sleeve. It looked good there, a secret mark that he was mine.

“In that case, I’d love to.” He smiled, a dimple briefly appearing on his left cheek.

I headed off to take a shower, at war with myself while I shampooed my hair:

Abort! Abort! It’s too soon!A voice inside commanded me to cancel the trip.We could say it was a joke. We could—

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