“I’m so mad at him right now that the only thing I’ll be acting on is strangling him.”
“Anger can lead to some pretty amazing sex.”
I pop my eyes open and stare at myself in the rearview mirror. “You’re not helping. Nothing can happen between me and Henley for a multitude of reasons. One, he’s my boss. Two, I’m caring for his daughter, so that’s supposed to be my focus, not the blatant display of arm and ab porn that taunts me while I’m living with him. And three, I’m leaving and he’s clearly dedicated to his business and life here in Blossom Peak, so there’s no chance a relationship would work between us.”
“The fact that you’re even using the word relationship is shocking, especially considering the last man you opened up to.”
Staring out the front window, I whisper, “I had a panic attack last week when I was dancing with some guy at a bar. He kept pressuring me to leave with him…”
“Shit, Elodie. I’m sorry.”
Shaking my head, I close my eyes and feel the first tear slide down my cheek. “I hate that I let a man have that power over me, Lennon.”
“He only has that power if you let him.”
“Well, running away sort of let him win, huh?”
“Liam was an asshole that used your dream of singing to manipulate you, and when you didn’t bend to his will, he got his revenge by tarnishing your reputation. I doubt Henley has any scope of power in that regard.”
“Henley will be my last reference on any job application I fill out next. I doubt anyone is going to want to hire a woman who slept with her boss because his forearms were taunting her too much. I can’t be weakened by forearms, Lennon. That’s not a skill employers want.”
“Why would you even write that on a job application? Besides, I thought the plan was to go back to L.A. eventually? Or have you decided that’s not what you want?”
“I haven’t landed on any decision yet. The only thing I knew with certainty this morning was that I had to get away from Henley before I did something really stupid, and the last thing I should be doing is mixing in feelings for the man whose child I’m taking care of.”
“Then keep it professional.”
“He’s so hot, Lennon. I mean, I never knew that blue jeans and work boots were such a turn on.”
Lennon hums in approval. “Don’t get me wrong, I love a man in a suit. But there’s something about a blue-collar man that will win out every time.”
We share a laugh. “And for some reason, I feel safe with him.”
“Even though he pisses you off and won’t open up to you?”
“Yeah.”
“Look. You have a little less than three months left there. Just take it one day at a time, Elodie. I can’t help but think that this transitional period you’re in is going to lead you to exactly where you’re supposed to be. Call it intuition or whatever, but when things don’t work out the way we thought they would, there’s usually a reason.”
I groan. “I don’t think I’d be this frustrated if I could write a damn song.”
“Still no luck?”
“My notebook is full of bits and pieces of ideas, but nothing is speaking to me.”
“Maybe you need to write something about your boss.”
Just the suggestion has my pulse picking up speed. The truth is, I’ve been wondering the same thing because the forbidden feelings I’ve been harboring are speaking to me, but I’ve been too scared to put them down on paper.
I rest my hands on the steering wheel in front of me. “I’ll consider it.”
“It’s going to be okay, Elodie. But in the meantime, you should probably apologize to Henley since you technically still need the job.”
“Believe me. My credit card balance reminds me of that every day.”
“Keep me posted, my friend.”
“I will.”
