Page 28 of Saved By the CEO

“It’s good,” I lie. “I drink it like this all the time.”

Mr. Bennett snickers. I shoot him a look.

Josh gives me a weak smile and pushes away from the desk. “You don’t have to finish it for my sake. I should get back down anyway.” He nods at Mr. Bennett. “Bennett.”

Mr. Bennett gives him a curt nod in return, and Josh heads toward the elevators.

I turn to my boss, giving him my iciest stare. “Did you want something?”

He crosses his arms over his chest and leans against my desk, occupying the exact same spot Josh had been standing in moments ago. Unfortunately, my brain immediately notices that Mr. Bennett fills out a white dress shirt significantly better than Josh does.

“Were you really going to drink that?” He motions to the cup.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why?”

He tilts his head slightly, studying me. “Do you like him?”

Oh my god. Mind your own business.

“I don’t think that concerns you.”

His mouth curves. “It does, actually. It’s against our HR policy.”

“Interesting.” I tap a finger against my lips in mock thought. “So what does the policy say about our visits to the hospital?”

He shakes his head, a small smile still playing at the corner of his mouth, and drops a thick stack of papers in front of me. “I need you to go through this and give me the SparkNotes.”

Then he disappears back into his office, leaving me alone with the stack of papers.

I stare at the closed door.

What the hell was that?

My computer dings, and a message appears on the screen.

Josh Stanton: Hope I didn’t get you in trouble!

Carly Michaels: No trouble here! Just Mr. Bennett being weird. I’m sorry about him

Josh Stanton: Don’t be. I’m glad he told me about the coffee. Now I know what to get you next time :)

Carly Michaels: That’s sweet

Carly Michaels: What are you doing tomorrow night, by the way?

Josh Stanton: I don’t have any plans. Why?

Carly Michaels: I really want to try that lasagna.

I arriveat Josh’s apartment a few minutes late.

It took me forever to decide what to wear. Annie wasn’t home, so I had no one to consult during my mini fashion crisis. What exactly is the dress code for a dinner date at someone’s apartment? Do you dress up? Keep it casual? Wear a dress? Jeans?

I settled on jeans and a slightly booby top. It felt like a good middle ground.