Blaise:Possibly.
Robyn:That means you agree. See you later.
Did he agree?
Blaise scratched his neck. He enjoyed spending time with Hadley and wanted to get to know her better. His attraction to her grew each time they were together. Which had been a lot this week. But the feelings went deeper than the physical. That was unexpected. He’d like to claim unwelcome, but he wasn’t sure because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so close to anyone as he did with Hadley.
Not that how he felt mattered.
He’d hired her.
To win the bet, not to fall in love himself.
Wait.
Love wasn’t an option. It wasn’t on the table.
He scrubbed his hands over his face.
She worked for him. They’d become friends.
Yeah, friends.
Nothing else.
“Blaise,” Trevor said from the doorway. His crooked tie and tired eyes suggested the guy must still be having issues with the database system. “You mentioned leaving at three thirty. It’s almost time.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” As Blaise packed his laptop in his bag, he noticed Trevor lean against the doorjamb. “Take the rest of the afternoon off.”
Trevor’s eyes widened. “Really?”
His disbelief in that one word shocked Blaise. Was he that demanding a boss? He remembered what a board member had told him about the difference between honey versus vinegar leadership styles. Blaise used the latter, but he was willing to experiment with the other. “Yes.”
Trevor straightened, relief pouring from him. “I, uh, thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“You, too.” Blaise left the office, more in a hurry than he should be, given where he was going. But the sooner he spoke to Dr. Alvarez, the sooner Blaise could go home.
He wanted to be there already.
A delicious dinner to fill his stomach, a silly movie to make him laugh, and his friend, Hadley, to keep him company.
It would be another good night. He had a feeling he might need it.
* * *
Hours later, after surviving the appointment and making another for next week, Blaise sat on the couch next to Hadley. Covered by a throw, she leaned against a pillow. He would have preferred her resting on him in her bed like the past two nights where they’d watched movies.
But this was less intimate with a bowl of popcorn, a cup of hot herbal tea for her, and a bottle of beer for him.
A good idea under the circumstances. Even if his arm wanted to slip around her and pull her close.
Another rom-com flick played on the television. Earlier, they’d eaten dinner in these exact spots. His choice because he didn’t want her to get tired. A good decision because she’d been yawning. Still, that didn’t stop her smile from lighting up her face.
Not because of anything he’d done.
No, this had to do with the movie. She loved romantic chick flicks so much.
Even though the movie continued to play, he ignored the screen and watched her. The expressions crossing her face were as entertaining as the film. Maybe more so.
