Her assessment catches me completely off guard. Honestly, I’m just used to women doing whatever I want.
And I don’t know how to respond.
She nods slowly, like my hesitation is answer enough. “That’s what I thought.”
She turns and walks back toward the table where Ansel and Enzo are watching us with varying degrees of concern and curiosity.
I follow, my brain still trying to catch up with what just happened.
Remy grabs her purse from the bar. “I should head home.”
Ansel stands immediately. “Of course. I’ll call Joshua.”
“I’ve got it.” I pull out my phone, needing something to do with my hands. Joshua answers on the second ring. “We’re ready. Can you swing by and pick us up?”
“Be there in five minutes, Mr. Jacobs.”
I end the call and pocket my phone. “He’ll be here in five.”
Remy nods, not quite meeting my eyes.
Ansel catches my arm as Remy moves toward the door. His voice drops low enough that only I can hear. “She’s the best employee we’ve ever had. Don’t fuck this up or get us involved in a lawsuit.”
He’s right.
“I won’t.” My response is automatic.
Ansel studies me for a long moment, then releases my arm. “Enzo and I will settle the bill. Take Remy outside and wait for Joshua.” He grabs my arm again. “And if you said something to upset her, you’d better make it right by the time we meet you outside.”
I nod and follow Remy toward the exit.
The night air is cool against my overheated skin. Remy stands a few feet away, arms crossed, staring at the street like she’s willing Joshua’s car to appear through sheer force of concentration.
“Remy—”
“Don’t.” She cuts me off without looking at me. “Whatever you’re about to say, just don’t.”
I should tell her the truth. That it was real. That I’ve been thinking about her for weeks. But instead of telling her what I’m thinking, I follow Ansel’s advice and try to make this right.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “That was unprofessional. It won’t happen again.”
“It’s okay.” She’s still not looking at me. “I’m sure the alcohol played a role.”
It wasn't the whiskey. Not even close. But I play along.
"Definitely the whiskey. Very irresponsible of this establishment." I shove my hands in my pockets. "So... professional boundaries. Those are a thing we should probably have."
"Oh, absolutely. Very important. Huge fans of boundaries over here." She's already moving toward the curb where Joshua is pulling up.
She doesn’t wait for our driver to open the door for her.
Ansel and Enzo emerge from the bar as Remy climbs into the SUV and takes one of the captain’s seats. I follow, sliding into the rear seat. Enzo takes the other captain’s seat, and Ansel sits next to me.
The space feels too small.
Joshua pulls into traffic, and silence fills the car. Remy stares out the window. Ansel scrolls through his phone. I sit there like an idiot, hyperaware of the space between Remy and me that might as well be a canyon.
When we pull up to Remy’s apartment building, she’s out of the car as soon as Joshua puts the SUV in park.
