Page 186 of In Love After Office Hours

"Baby, I'm sorry."

"Pippi, please."

"I love you."

"Please, baby."

He begged her on his knees, begged her for hours, begged until his voice became hoarse and ragged - he begged and begged until he realized...she was right.

He had never taken any risksforher.

And it was time to change that.

Twenty-Eight

"YOU MISS HIM," ASTRIDsaid knowingly over breakfast two weeks later. "It's written all over your face, so don't bother denying it."

Eyes that were both blue and bloodshot at the same time glared at Astrid. "I admit to not being over him, but I also believe it's just a matter of time before I learn to move on and forget about him."

No one bothered correcting Pippi, but the looks her family exchanged among each other spoke volume. They didn't believe her at all, the traitors!

On her way to work, Pippi did her best to clear her mind of all things that had to do withhim,but it proved impossible. Her family might think she didn't have it in her to forgethim,but she couldn't let herself lose hope like that. She had to find a way to get over him - or die trying.

Gareth Evans was already at the office when she arrived, and she couldn't help shooting him a suspicious look, saying, "It's not like you to be early, sir."

"It's not like you to come to work looking like you've been run over by a truck either," her boss pointed out dryly, "but that's life for you."

Sheesh.Pippi rolled her eyes. "Touchy much?" But she was grinning as she said the words. The one good thing that came out from her breakup was that it had somehow granted her immunity to the opposite sex, and she was now able to handle Gareth Evans' occasional flirtations without getting flustered—-

"If you're the one doing the touching...by all means."

Like now.

"Ha ha ha, Mr. Evans. Very funny."

Gareth released a sigh of mock regret. "You're no fun these days, Ms. Jones. You used to blush so easily."

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