Page 51 of The Boss Problem

Sean seemed baffled, and then with a second glance at me, he gave in and simply nodded. “Fine, just for today, I’ll keep it calm,” he muttered.

“Thank you,” I said as neither of us moved.

I stayed in place for a moment longer, filled with sadness when I realized Sean also wanted me. An impossible situation—one I hadn’t given myself permission to dream of.

“He’s coming over,” Sean said, and we exchanged a look. “Listen,” he said urgently, “I’m sorry about that?—”

“We got carried away,” I added, feeling ridiculous as I said it.

It hadn’t felt wrong. It’d felt so right, but I couldn’t bring myself to admit it.

He gave me a long stare that I couldn’t quite comprehend. Finally, he ended his inspection with a short nod. “We need to set some boundaries. I’ll ensure this won’t happen again,” he said, sidestepping me.

Cool air engulfed me as I walked out behind Sean.

I turned around, my heart beating rapidly, feeling as though I’d just tripped and fallen into a giant sinkhole. I plastered asmile on my face—a fake smile, which took on an expression of genuine relief when I saw Lucas.

Sean hugged Lucas very briefly, stepping back far too quickly and seeming uncomfortable with his emotions. He cared deeply for Lucas, I realized, but didn’t have the ability to show it to him.

Lucas’s eyes were shining, and he seemed very happy about his sudden, impromptu disappearance, unaware of the chaos it had created for us.

“I’m glad we found you,” I said, giving Lucas a hug in relief. “Brianna,” I said, focusing on her, “your dad must be searching for you. Let me take you back to him.”

She nodded excitedly. “He’s going to be so thrilled that you’re here. We were both hoping to see you here.”

Over the heads of the two kids, I met Sean’s gaze. With heavy-lidded eyes and his jaw clenched, he looked at me for a split second, his face dark before he turned away at the last moment.

“Go ahead,” Sean said, leading us back to the elevator. “Lucas and I will wait for you by the piano in the lobby.” He barely met my eyes as he spoke, turning to focus on Lucas.

Boundaries. If this was the kind of boundary he was talking about, he sure was following through.

25

CHLOE

Ten minutes later, I met Sean in the lobby as I walked out after speaking with Will and Brianna. Will had been happy to see me, and like us, he had been concerned about Brianna’s temporary absence. It was easier to talk to him without Sean glowering by my side, and I left after an interesting conversation with him while Brianna kept craning her neck for a second look at Lucas.

Sean kept his gaze on me as I walked toward him and gave me his arm quietly as he led me down the steps. Lucas was in the waiting car, half asleep in the seat when he noticed us. He waved to us as we approached. I waved back as he made room for us on the seat.

Sean’s throat worked, and he gritted the next words out. “Did your meeting with Will go well?”

I flushed and nodded just as I remembered his reaction to it an hour ago. The curtgo ahead. He was kind enough to offer to drop me home, and I couldn’t ignore his question.

“It did,” I said breathlessly. Eager to switch topics, I added, “Thank you for a wonderful evening tonight.”

Sean simply glowered at me.

“And for being so supportive when we lost sight of Lucas,” I added softly.And for when I was panicking.

“Are you meeting him again?” Sean asked as though he hadn’t heard a word of what I said.

I hesitated. Will had asked, and while I’d wanted to avoid dating at all costs, something had told me I wouldn’t be able to get Sean out of my mind unless I dated someone else.

I nodded finally. “He did ask me if I could meet him next Thursday,” I added, recalling that Thursdays were my time with Sean and Lucas.

I hadn’t given Will an answer yet. I was, frustratingly, hoping against hope for a sign from Sean that I shouldn’t.

“Wow, he isn’t wasting any time, is he?” Sean said, pulling the door out slightly more so I could get in.

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