“Yeah. It’s really great. I actually miss it.”
“He’s only been gone for two meals,” she laughs.
“I know. It’s silly. I just…I really enjoy having a purpose again. I’ve spent so long over the past few months alone. Getting to know him a little has reminded me that there are people out there worth spending time with.”
“Rude,” she teases.
“You know what I mean.”
“I do. And I’m glad he’s helping you see that there is still a world out here for you to discover. Have you heard anything from that guy Friday night?”
Heat creeps up my neck as Sutton comes racing back with an overflowing bowl of ice cream.
“Ohhh she has,” Casey sings.
“We’ve exchanged a few messages.”
“And it’s already making you blush like that.”
Damn my pale skin for showcasing every little bit of embarrassment I feel.
“It hasn’t been anything like that.”
“You want there to be, though?”
I shrug.
Messaging him this week has been…nice. But I don’t get the same kind of thrill when I see his name on my screen as I do when I see the other man in my life’s pop up.
It’s ridiculous. Levi is messaging me to get to know me. He’s asking genuine questions to build a connection, whereas Cole is letting me know that he’s going to be home late, or that he’s just leaving so I can have dinner ready. They’re very different types of messages, so why it is the latter that makes my tummy flutter?
It’s been a week, and I’m pretty sure I’m developing a crush on my boss.
That was not a part of the plan.
I keep telling myself that it’s a natural reaction to being in close quarters with a gorgeous professional hockey player. If I didn’t have a tiny crush on him, it would be weird, right?
Totally normal reaction.
And completely inappropriate. Especially considering he’s been nothing but professional since the very first day he asked me to work for him.
I am under no illusion that this crush is very much one-sided, and I can only hope that it fizzles out as fast as it arrived.
Casey tilts her head to the side as I let out a sigh.
“Maybe you should go out with him. See what it’s like in real life. You got on well Friday night.”
“He’s invited me out next week.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I’d confirm my schedule and let him know.”
“Handsy will let you go out,” Sutton adds, clearly listening to everything we’re saying.
Casey chuckles.
“I know he will, sweetie.”
