Page 77 of Dating the Boss
Ugh.I hated being so unsure. I was a grown-ass man, but I was obsessing like a damn teenager. Wondering if the person you were into liked you back.
Reed’s phone lit up on the coffee table, then lit up again seconds later.
“Should you get that?” I asked. He’d said we were exclusive, and I trusted him. But that didn’t stop other men from still reaching out to him, even if he showed no interest.
He sat forward and checked the row of notifications. “It’s sale updates from Bath & Body Works. See?” He showed me the screen where it had messages talking about 50 percent off all body lotions and sprays. Plus another notification saying he had a ten-dollar-off coupon. “You thought a bunch of guys were hitting me up, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
Reed blinked. “I didn’t expect you to admit it. As you always say… impressive.”
I pulled him back against me and nuzzled his cheek. “I trust you. It’s just them I don’t trust. Because you’re way too beautiful.”
Reed giggled and turned his face toward me, his lips seeking a kiss. I didn’t deny them. We kissed as the credits rolled on the movie. It had ended happily of course.
Would Reed’s and my story end the same?
After a lifetime of failed relationships and heartache, it seemed like I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for something to take this happiness away.
“When are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?” I asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” When he tried to move, I held him in place. He sighed. “Daniel.”
“Reed.”
He crinkled his nose and held eye contact with me for a few seconds in silence. Then, he caved. “Fine! But you have to promise not to get mad.”
“Why would I get mad?”
“Because it puts us both in a tough position,” Reed said, softer this time. “I don’t want to ruin what we have by bringing up shit that’s hard to talk about.”
“Tell me.”
Releasing another sigh, Reed unwound himself from my arms and stood from the couch. “I just… I’m happy with you, Daniel. Like really fucking happy.”
“Then why do you look miserable?” I asked. Seeing the tears in his eyes felt like a knife digging in my gut.
“Because I don’t know if we can ever actually be together,” Reed said, his voice cracking. “Not in the way we want to be. It’s easy for us to be together right now, like this, but the fantasy can’t last forever. We can’t keep our relationship a secret. And I don’t want to. I hate having to sneak around.”
“Okay. So, let’s come out.”
“Are you crazy? You’re about to get a huge promotion. What if you lose the promotion because of this? Hell, what if they fire you? Do you really want to put your career on the line for me?”
I stood up and closed the distance between us. He was trembling as I gripped the side of his neck.
“I’d risk anything to be with you,” I told him.
“That’s stupid,” Reed said, his expression hardening. “You’ve worked your ass off to get where you are. I’m not letting you throw it away.”
“What are you saying? Are you breaking up with me?”
“What? No.” Reed closed his eyes and released a shuddering breath, pressing his cheek against my palm. “I don’t know what I’m saying. I don’t wanna lose you, but I don’t want you to get fired for being with me either.”
“Seems like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
“Exactly.” Reed stepped away from me and walked toward the kitchen. “Want a glass of wine?”
He always drank wine to calm his nerves. Which told me he was really struggling.
