“I’m dating people. Not a ton, but I am dating. You don’t seem like you can handle that.”
Shaking his head, he leans back against his desk. “No, I can’t. I think you need to decide exactly what you want. If you want to pursue this further with me, we should involve HR. That way, we’re both protected.”
Always the practical one. But he’s right. There’s no rule against dating coworkers, but there is one about disclosing and dating a subordinate. One of us would have to switch teams, and I don’t like that idea, either.
“I’ll think about it. Assuming you can stop acting so weird around me. There’s a lot at stake for both of us if we decide to give this a shot.”
“Agreed. I’ll stop acting weird, I promise. Let me know what you decide.”
The good thing about Tyler is that he values practicality over all else. Which is what makes him a good manager, but it’s also what likely didn’t work with free-spirited Rachel.
“Because of that reaction to the flowers, you’re going to have to do the same to everyone who gets them from now on. You realize that, right?”
Laughing, Tyler hangs his head. “I really did shoot myself in the foot. I knew I shouldn’t have asked in front of others.”
“Or you could tell people you broke things off with Rachel, and they’ll just think you’re a scorned man who hates seeing others happy right now.”
He groans. “I don’t know which is worse.”
“That’s up to you. But the second option is quicker. Valentine’s Day will be horrible for you. Just food for thought there.”
I walk out of his office, grateful he’s not letting his emotions run the show. We both know how messy this could get if we don’t take a step back and think.
Celibacy
Even though I liked what happened with Tyler, it feels wrong. And so much is at stake. As progressive as we’ve become as a society, I don’t want to risk being seen as the woman who slept her way to the top. Even if it’s not what I’m doing, someone will see it that way.
I like Tyler, but do I really want to risk my career and my reputation? And change up the whole working dynamic that finally fits?
I stand outside my apartment, staring at the door. Sure, the office-romance books I read are sexy and fun, but it’s a lot different when the stakes are real.
If things didn’t work out, would it sabotage my career? Would I feel pressured to stay with him for as long as we’re both at the company even if we’re not compatible long term?
I actually like my job. Most people can’t say that, but I do. This could ruin it for me.
Stepping inside, I nearly jump out of my skin when I find Decker in the living room. He drops the phone in his hand, andthe way he looks at me can only be described as smoldering. Which I always thought was something authors made up… but Decker proves it’s very, very real.
“You’re home,” I say, unable to help myself.
Obviously, he’s home. He’s standing in front of me.
My phone vibrates in my purse—Will. As much as I want to talk to my brother, I haven’t seen Decker in a long time, and I decline the call. This feels important.
“I am,” Decker says, his feet rooted to the spot.
“Did you have a good night with… whoever you stayed with?”
Smiling, he just shakes his head and shoves his hands in his front pockets. A stance he’s always taken when he’s being endearing, and it makes me swoon. Instead of falling victim to it, I feel his eyes tracking me as I walk into the kitchen for a drink of water to distract myself.
“I was alone last night.”
I frown. “Where’d you go?”
“My room.”
Running through my memory, I try to figure out how I missed him. I wouldn’t have, would I?
“I didn’t know you were here.”
