Page 87 of Bossman

Chase’s jaw flexed. He was obviously annoyed. “Wouldn’t want to screw up something you’re so sure will happen.”

“Chase…”

“I’ll let you get to work.”

***

The rest of the day I felt like shit. Chase passed by our lunch marketing meeting, eyed Travis sitting next to me through the glass conference room windows, and didn’t bother to stop.

By late afternoon, I was unable to focus. After Chase exposed our relationship as something more than boss-employee to Sam this morning, I’d been intentionally hurtful. I knew saying when we broke up would piss him off. It had upset him the first time, when I’d said it without realizing.

I tried to put myself in his position. What if he’d said something similar in a different context? How would I feel if I overheard a friend asking him if he wanted to try out a new singles bar and Chase responded, “I’m seeing someone, but maybe after we break up.” Ooh.

For the past few weeks, I’d been worried about the fallout from something I felt was inevitable, based on my track record. I was afraid to believe that maybe, just maybe, us ending wasn’t the foregone conclusion to our story.

But I certainly didn’t want us to end. Chase had never even hinted that he wanted us to end. Just the opposite, he’d been confident and sure about us since things began—nothing like my previous office romance. So why was I so hell bent on convincing myself it would end badly?

I was staring at the screen on my laptop when the answer came to me. It was so clear that I realized there’s a reason obvious and oblivious are so close in spelling.

I’d been absolutely oblivious to not see it sooner.

Because it was obvious I was falling in love with Chase.

The thought terrified me, yet acknowledging it also brought new perspective. And I owed Chase both an apology and an adult conversation on the subject of making things public between us. I wasn’t sure I was ready for that, but at the very least, we should discuss it rather than going with my one-sided decision stemming from my own insecurities.

Holding a file so it would appear my visit was business-related, I walked over to Chase’s office. His secretary was coming out.

“Is Chase gone for the day?”

“No. He just stepped out for a while.” She looked at her watch. “He should be back soon, though. Want me to tell him you stopped by?”

“Umm…actually…I’m just going to leave this file and a note for him, if you don’t mind?”

“Go right ahead.” Smiling, she walked back to her desk where her phone was already ringing. Inside Chase’s empty office, I jotted a quick note and was about to walk back out when I changed my mind about my approach.

A half-hour later, I sat in my office responding to an email from Josh when I decided to click on Chase’s name. The light that had been red a little while ago— indicating he was not currently online—was now green. My nails clicked away on the keyboard.

To: Chase Parker

From: Reese Annesley

Subject: Lost and found

Do we have one here?

By the way, I’m sorry for being a jerk this morning.

I waited a few minutes until my laptop pinged, notifying me that a new email had arrived.

To: Reese Annesley

From: Chase Parker

Subject: Come here

Not that I’m aware of.

Apology accepted. Took you long enough. Get your ass to my office.