Page 16 of Boss's Red Glare

“I wasn’t staring,” I protest weakly, adjusting my sunglasses unnecessarily.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “You’d have to be blind not to see it, Connor. You really like her.”

I hesitate, then sigh heavily, giving in. “She’s…something else.”

“Something special,” Darren corrects gently, his voice unusually earnest. “She’s good for you. I’ve never seen you laugh so much, or so easily. She brings out a side of you that I wasn’t sure even existed.”

My chest tightens unexpectedly, emotion rising sharply. He’s right. Maisie does bring out a side of me I’d forgotten I had—a lighter, happier, more relaxed version of myself that feels foreign yet somehow deeply familiar. “Yeah,” I admit quietly. “She does.”

“So what’s stopping you?” Darren asks bluntly, raising an eyebrow.

“She’s my assistant,” I reply automatically, shaking my head. “It’s complicated.”

He rolls his eyes dramatically. “Only because you’re making it complicated. Maisie clearly likes you, Connor. Even I can see it. She’s completely smitten.”

I glance back toward Maisie, catching her eye once more. Her cheeks flush slightly, her smile turning shy but no less radiant. My heart stutters wildly. “You really think so?”

Darren claps me lightly on the back, grinning knowingly. “You’d be an absolute idiot not to ask her out—for real.”

I watch Maisie finish her game, accepting playful congratulations from the investors. My pulse quickens at the idea of making this more than pretend. Could we really cross that line?

“You’re right,” I murmur softly, half to myself. “I would be an idiot.”

He chuckles, patting my shoulder again before strolling away. “Glad you finally see reason, my friend.”

Left alone, my gaze drifts back to Maisie as she walks toward me, her expression bright with excitement.

“We won!” she announces cheerfully, laughing lightly. “The investors officially love me.”

“I can see why,” I say gently, smiling warmly. “You were incredible.”

She blushes sweetly, eyes brightening. “Thanks, Connor.”

“How about a walk?” I suggest impulsively, offering her my arm.

“Absolutely,” she replies warmly, slipping her arm comfortably through mine.

We stroll slowly along the edge of the park, away from the crowds. The setting sun casts long shadows, golden light catching softly in Maisie’s hair. She looks beautiful—radiant even—and my heart feels dangerously close to exploding from my chest.

“I’m really glad you invited me today,” she says softly, glancing sideways at me. “I’ve had such a good time.”

“Me too,” I say honestly, squeezing her arm lightly. “The best day in years.”

“Really?” She sounds genuinely surprised, stopping to face me fully. Her eyes are wide, hopeful. “You’re not just saying that?”

“Not at all,” I murmur gently, stepping slightly closer. “Today wouldn’t have been the same without you, Maisie.”

Her breath hitches slightly, cheeks flushing deeper. “Connor…”

“I mean it,” I say quietly, brushing a strand of hair gently behind her ear. “You’ve made this entire day special. It feels…real. Right.”

She looks up at me through her lashes, voice barely above a whisper. “I feel the same way.”

The moment between us hangs delicate and charged, my pulse pounding hard. I want to kiss her again, to feel her lips softly pressed to mine, but I don’t want to push too far or risk scaring her away.

As if sensing my hesitation, Maisie smiles softly, eyes sparkling. “We should probably head back, huh?”

I nod reluctantly, smiling gently. “Probably.”

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