“Lovethem,” I correct. She holds the tray out, and I watch the other two select a cupcake before taking one of my own with a smile. “Thank you so much.”
“Of course.”
She leans back against the counter, peeling the wrapper off a red velvet cupcake and licking her fingertips. Now that I’ve got something in my hands—something else to focus on—I feel myself relax a little more. I realize how much Iwantto share with them and take a deep breath.
“He’s my boss,” I mumble, refusing to let myself look at the others as I speak. “Well, my father owns the firm, and we both work for him, but I’m Aidan’s assistant…” I shake my head. “It’s complicated.”
Violet hums in agreement.
“We fought a lot at first. It’s funny…” I huff a laugh that sounds anything but humorous. “We hooked up before we even knew who the other person was…” I tell them about Aidan being so sweet in Marco’s, how he became Work Aidan in the office. How he changed over time and we grew closer, how I suspect Work Aidan was a front to keep me at bay, to deal with feelingshe didn’t want to have. How, despite how wonderful he’s been to me, he’s made it clear nothing more can happen between us.
And as I speak, I think of the agonized look on his face when he told me he didn’t regret what we did today. When he murmuredGod, I wish…but couldn’t bring himself to finish the words.
But I’m pretty sure I know what he was going to say. He wants this as badly as I do, he just has more reasons to hold back.
I mean, I get it. Iama lot younger than him, a fact that’s probably further exaggerated by me being the daughter of his boss.
And as for Dad… I’d be mortified if he discovered my feelings for Aidan, let alone what we did in his office. I know Aidan has a lot more to lose—his potential partnership at least, his job at worst—but I don’t want to give my father yetanotherreason to say I’ve fucked everything up. It’s likely that he wouldn’t even blame Aidan, that he’d take one look at the situation and say, “Jesus, Iris, how could you do this?”
As I wrap up my story, a sound on the stairs makes me turn, and I glance over to find Wyatt with a tray of drinks. I cringe, hoping he didn’t overhear. Yes, I’m in a similar position age-wise as the others here, but it’s also different. My situation is somessy.
Much like the rest of my life.
Wyatt hands me my gin and tonic with a kind smile. I take it gratefully, letting my gaze follow him as he gives Violet and Daisy their drinks, then hands an elaborate cocktail to Poppy. She takes a long sip, giving him a grin as she rises on her toes to press her mouth to his cheek.
“Even without alcohol, this tastes good.”
“Of course, baby,” he murmurs, squeezing her waist. “I need to take care of you.” Then he lowers his mouth to her ear,whispering something I can’t quite hear, but I’m pretty sure I pick up the wordstake even better care of youandlater.
I drop my gaze, wanting to give them privacy. But more than that, wanting what they have for myself. I want a man who takes care of me, makes dirty promises, and adores me more than life.
And I want that man to be Aidan.
“You know,” Poppy murmurs as Wyatt heads back upstairs, “Wyatt toldmenothing could ever happen between us.”
Daisy nods in agreement, sipping her wine. “Weston did the same.”
“Kyle too,” Violet chips in.
Huh. I take a sip of gin and tonic, processing this.
“If he’s a good guy,” Poppy continues, “he’ll put up a fight.Especiallyas your boss. Workplace romance with an older guy in a position of power is a minefield. He’ll be terrified of taking advantage of you.”
I recall Aidan’s words again—You work for me. You’re young, and I should be the one setting boundaries—seeing them in a new light.
“But it’s not like that,” I tell them, thinking about howI’mthe one who kissed him, who started things in his office today. It was me who made the first move in Marco’s, before he even became my boss.
“Of course it’s not,” Daisy assures me. “We know that, but it doesn’t look good from the outside, does it? And with your dad there too…”
I frown. She’s right. It’s bad enough I’m Aidan’s assistant, but with Dad keeping a watchful eye on everything? It’s a bomb waiting to explode.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for,” Violet says firmly. “You need to make it clear he’snottaking advantage of you. That you want it, and you’re grown enough to decide for yourself.”
Poppy gives a vehement nod. “Wyatt was worried about my age.” A wicked smile slants across her lips. “But I showed him I wasn’t some little girl, that I was a woman who knew what she wanted.”
“Most importantly,” Daisy adds gently, “if you think he feels the same as you? Don’t give up.”
“But…” Poppy scrunches her nose. “Maybe don’t do it at work.”
