“In a nutshell.”
Veronica’s voice was gentle when she asked, “Does she not feel the same way?”
“Yes and no,” Torin answered.
The line remained silent, so he took that as a request to continue.
“She likes me as well but our working relationship makes it complicated.”
“Because you’re her boss?” Veronica asked, catching onto the issue right away.
“Yeah,” he answered. “I don’t want her to feel pressured. I don’t want to be that asshole.”
“I’m glad that you don’t want to pressure her. Have you told her anything about how you feel?”
“A little, but now I’m afraid to bring it up again.”
“I can see why. It sounds like an extremely complicated situation.”
“Any advice?”
“You could tell her how you feel and that the next move is hers. Then, back off,” she suggested.
“You mean the adult resolution?” he asked.
Veronica laughed a little. “Yes, the adult resolution.”
“I suppose that’s really my only option.”
“I think so,” she replied.
“Well, thanks for the advice, Veronica,” he said. “I’ll definitely consider it.”
She laughed again. “I hope it works out, Torin. I’ll suspend your account for now, but please give me a call if you decide you’re ready to try again.”
“Thanks, Veronica. I’ll call you if I crash and burn.”
“Good-bye, Torin.”
“Bye, Veronica.”
She disconnected. Torin put his phone down and stared unseeingly at the calendar on his wall. He was calmer now than he had been before, but still unsure what his next step should be.
He liked Nova. A lot.
But he’d been burned before.
Something told him that if she burned him this time, the scars would last a lifetime.
ChapterNine
The kiss Nova shared with Torin was seared into her brain. At random moments throughout the day, the memory of the heat of his lips, the brush of his tongue, would engulf her.
She’d never experienced a kiss like it before. Not just because it was a good kiss, but because it felt…right.
Perfect.
And because it felt perfect, she’d freaked right the hell out.
