Page 21 of Unlocking my Boss's Heart

He lifted a finger to take an incoming call.

At the back of my mind, a thought lingered:Thank God I took my time getting ready this morning.At least I looked presentable, if maybe a bit too casual. My heart had been thumping uncontrollably since I recognized him, and now, it was sending butterflies to my stomach. Why did I feel so self-conscious and nervous around him? My whole being was acutely aware of him as a man right now.

Was this a welcome-to-New-York vibe?

My mind screamed:This is your boss!But it did little good. I watched him while he talked on the phone, looking as put-together as ever, from his chic casual slacks to his tieless top to his brown moccasin. Honestly, he looked like the poster boy forEffortless. I should be ashamed of myself for staring.

“It seems my car broke down. It simply wouldn’t start,” he said after he finished the call.

“Oh, have you called a mechanic?”

“Already did.”

“How long have you been waiting?” I suddenly felt sorry for him…which I shouldn’t.

“Maybe half an hour. They should be here soon.”

I didn’t know what else to say, shifting uncomfortably. Should I just leave him here and continue home? Or would that be rude? I tapped my fingers against the pizza box, my indecisive mind struggling to take action.

Two girls walked by us, openly gawking at Anton. No surprise there—he stood out in his expensive suit and magazine-cover-worthy face. He looked around before turning his full attention back to me, and suddenly, I didn't know what to do with myself.

“Uh, do you want some water? I live a block away from here,” I blurted out. As soon as the words left my mouth, I cringed inwardly. Why did I just invite my boss to my apartment? I had instantly reverted to my small-town, hospitable manners.

This is New York!Maddison’s voice rang in my head.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t want to come to my tiny apartment.

Instead of looking at me like I’d said something stupid, his expression turned intrigued, and I could feel myself turning the color of a tomato.

“You know what? I'll take you up on that offer. I’m quite thirsty.”

“Okay.”

The shock of him actually accepting the invitation kept my feet rooted on the sidewalk for a moment. Then, I set off, and he fell into step beside me.

“May I?” He reached for the pizza box.

I handed it over to him. He tucked it against his side.

“Wow, such a gentleman,” I commented.

“That I am,” he replied with a smile. “I still believe in opening doors for women and spreading my coat over puddles, too.”

“No bluffing?” He shook his head. “So gallant.”

I liked that, even if some women looked down on such chivalrous behavior as ‘patriarchal’, which, to me, was nonsense. It only made me like him more.

Oops! Don’t ‘like’ your boss!

When we arrived at the apartment, I led him in and took the pizza box from him to set it on the table. Anton looked around the living room with interest, while I fetched him a bottle of water.

“Eclectic,” he said after taking in the pops of orange and peach in the flowery prints and the abundance of decor.

I chuckled as I handed him the bottle. “It’s okay if you don’t like it. I won’t be offended.”

He was undoubtedly used to minimalistic white walls and hand-crafted accents. His place probably looked like the office, high-end and sophisticated.

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it.” He uncapped the bottle and took a sip, his eyes searching my face. I folded my arms, my disbelief evident. “I’m serious. It reminds me of my grandmother’s country home.”

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