Page 20 of Unlocking my Boss's Heart

After a leisurely brunch, painting my nails, and washing my hair, I slipped on denim shorts and a graphic tee, ready to take on the city that never sleeps.

At the door, I grabbed one of Maddison's puffer jackets—perfect for the spring weather, not too cool and not too warm—and pulled out my phone to find the nearest Sephora.

An hour later, I left the cosmetic store with mascara and a tube of sunscreen. It was only a little after noon, so I scrolled through my phone, deciding where to go next on my solo adventure. After sightseeing, I stopped at the local pizzeria and ordered a box to take back to the apartment. I would end the day settled in with a good book and some wine.

Pizza in hand, I walked home leisurely, weaving between New Yorkers and sticking to the edge of the sidewalk where there were fewer pedestrians.

As I passed the same bookshop where I’d first met Mr. Waltons, I thought about going in but decided against it, in fear of bumping into him again. I really needed to stop thinking about him.

That should be rule number three:Stop thinking about your boss.

A block away from my apartment, I spotted a sleek black car parked at the curb. Such a nice car in this not-so-luxurious neighborhood confirmed that New York truly was a melting potof social classes. My eyes were glued to the car as I passed by, curious if the driver was waiting for someone.

The passenger-side window slowly lowered. I did a double-take as I caught a glimpse of the person inside.

My heart skipped a beat, and I stopped short. I would recognize that dark hair and the familiar mouth, now curved into a slight grin, anywhere.

I blinked once, then twice, to be sure I wasn’t mistaken.

Nope, it was still him.

Am I hallucinating right now? Did I somehow conjure him with my thoughts?

“Hello,” his familiar voice rang out.

“Mr. Waltons,” I gasped, startled by his unexpected presence.

What was he doing here? Visiting family in the area, maybe?

One glance around my rundown neighborhood, with an overflowing trash can just a few feet away, made me scoff at the thought. Anton belonged to a completely different world. The idea that he might have family here was laughable. Yet, here he was, standing in the middle of my reality, a stark contrast to everything around him. It was as if he’d stepped out of a dream and into a place he didn’t belong, but for some reason, he had come anyway.

Chapter seven

Celia

Ichuckled quietly to myself.

“Something funny?” He raised a brow, coming out of the car to join me on the sidewalk.

I clutched the pizza box tighter. “No, not at all. I just didn't expect to see you here. You seem a little out of place.”

“I didn’t see you at work today,” he remarked, offering no explanation for his presence.

“It’s Saturday,” I replied, my shock fading into mild annoyance.

He shrugged. “Some people stop by on the weekends to get a jump on next week’s cases.”

“Are you implying that I should have done that?” I backed down a bit, suddenly worried I’d missed something important at the office.

He smirked. “No. You don’t have cases yet. But it’s something to consider in the future.”

I already knew that,I thought to myself.

An awkward silence settled between us.

How was I supposed to treat him outside of work? As Anton, the man I met at the bookstore? Or as my boss,TheAnton Waltons, as Maddison liked to say?

“What are you doing here?” I finally asked.

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