Page 54 of Dating the Boss
“Oh yeah?” Reed walked backward toward the door, taking slow steps. “Why is that?”
“Be ready by six thirty,” I said.
“Pfft. That’s not an answer.” Reed mirrored me by crossing his arms, although he made the stance look sassy by cocking his hip. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.”
“I hate surprises, Daniel. I need to know everything all the time.”
I grabbed my suit jacket from the back of my chair and put it on. “I have a meeting to get to.”
A thin brow arched high. “That you do.” He opened the door and waited for me outside of it. “I’ll order your lunch from the usual place so it’ll be here when you’re done with the meeting.”
“Thank you.”
I didn’t give him a second glance as I turned down the hall to head to the conference room, but I sensed him watching me. Even though I was outwardly composed, I was celebrating on the inside.
Ever since my dad died, I had stepped up and did what was expected of me, shoving away all of my wants and desires. My whole life, I’d worked hard, very rarely partied even in college, and focused on my career. My mom had always talked about me getting married one day, and so when I’d met Olivia, I had considered that to be another expected thing. Marriage and children were part of the model of success that had been planted in my head for as long as I could remember.
But with one decision that Wednesday morning, I had finally chosen something for myself.
Consequences be damned.
Chapter Thirteen
Reed
“I need you. Now.”
“Hello to you too,” Quinn said over the phone. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m going on a date tonight,” I said, holding the phone between my cheek and shoulder as I searched my closet for something to wear. “I want to wear something that’s hot but that doesn’t say I’m a two-bit ho. Any suggestions?”
“Nothing you own makes you look like a ho, Reed. Who are you going on a date with? I thought you were still hung up on your boss.”
“Um.” I bit my lip. “Well, you see… he’s the one I’m kinda going out with.” When Quinn was quiet, I got nervous and started blabbing. “Iknowwhat you’re thinking. Okay? And I know it’s bad. Dating the boss is morally wrong or whatever, but Daniel is…” I stopped looking through shirts and slumped against the closet door. “He’s special, Beck. When I’m around him, my stomach gets all fluttery and it’s a little hard to breathe.”
“Sounds like a medical problem you should get checked out.”
“Stop,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I’m serious here.”
“What do you want me to say?” Quinn asked. “This guy has authority over you. The power dynamic is way off.”
“So?”
“So, I’m worried about you.” Quinn sighed, and it sounded like he was washing dishes because there was running water in the background. “What happens when he turns out like all the other losers you’ve banged and fallen for? Hmm? He won’t just break your heart. He will fire you too. You’re risking your job, your future, on someone who—”
“Oh, and fucking a guy who used to shove you into lockers and bully you so bad you cried is okay?” I snapped. “But you didn’t seemesaying shit to you when you told me about you and Monty. I was there for you, Beck. I supported you. Even if part of me worried you were making a mistake, I was there for you no matter what. If you fell, I’d catch you. Because that’s what friends do.”
As an angry tear fell down my cheek, I wiped it away. God, I was so fucking pissed off at him.
“Reed, I—”
“And you’re right,” I continued. “I’m a fucking whore who bangs men to feel wanted, and I date a lot of losers who screw me over. I have Daddy issues and tend to fall for the first guy who comes along and smiles at me, who makes me feel special. But that doesn’t mean Daniel is the same way. In fact, Iknowhe’s not. I thought my best friend would be here for me like I was there for him, but I guess not.”
“Reed! Goddammit, listen to me,” Quinn said in a rush. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t judging you for sleeping around. I only meant that, when it comes to men, you sometimes don’t see things clearly. I don’t want you getting hurt again.”
I let the anger roll off me as I took deep breaths. “I know you weren’t judging me. I’m sorry too.” I grinned. “Wanna kiss and make up?”
