The One I Want

Remembering what Nick told me about Justin crossing a line with Juni, though, has me calling him an asshole under my breath. I don’t even know what happened, but I know I’m safe in the assumption. I could ask her, but is that a line I shouldn’t cross? Should I talk to HR or keep out of it as I’ve always done?

With her continuing to stare up like she’s waiting for a sign from above, I’m starting to wonder if she’s purposely avoiding eye contact with me. I ask, “What happened with Justin?” I cross that line like it never existed.

That draws her attention immediately. “We should probably leave work at the office.” I’m not granted a smile or a wink, no laughter, or even the sense of who Juni normally is with me.

It’s then that I realize it’s not the emotion that’s unrecognizable. It’s her. “Talk to me.”

Moving farther away, she keeps her arms crossed when she turns her back to me, her stiffened body language keeping me at bay. “What do you want me to say?”

“I want you to talk to me as your friend.”

It takes a minute, but when she looks at me over her shoulder, her body eventually follows. “As my friend, you’ll keep this between us and not be CEO Andrew right now?”

“I’m always CEO Andrew, but what you tell me in private stays between us.”

“He didn’t say anything I can’t handle.” When her arms loosen and fall to her sides, her expression tempers. “Let’s not ruin the night. I felt like I was just getting to know the Ice Cream Drew,” she says with an emerging grin. “But there will always be a special place in my heart for bossy CEO Andrew.”

I can get bossy if that’s what she’s into, but we’re supposed to be platonic. I run my hand over my hair, not sure what to say. Everything that comes to mind is inappropriate. Fuck. Who knew ice cream could lead to thoughts that veer toward the gutter?

I probably did if I thought about it. “I’m not always the Boy Scout you think I am. Despite the tie I put on each morning, I’m a man with flaws. I’ve gotten in more than my fair share of trouble, but there came a time when I had to choose between instant gratification and long-term satisfaction.”

Her expression is kind when she says, “I hate that you felt you had to be one or the other. You’re so much more than a prestigious title.” She starts backing away, but adds, “I can’t wait to watch you unravel.”

What would be considered an insult coming from any other person is a compliment from her. “Hey, where are you going?”

“We have work in the morning. I don’t want to give my boss a bad impression.”

Angling my head to watch her walk away, I rub my thumb over my lip, but then say, “You couldn’t if you tried, babe.”

A giggle escapes her, and she says, “I’ll see you in the morning. Babe.”

There’s so much more I want to tell her. That’s a sign to walk away before things turn from platonic to erotic. “Want me to walk you home?”

With her back to me, she waves over her head. “Good night, Drew.”

Drew. It’s hard to repress my smile. Why do I like hearing her say my name so much?

I turn to Gil, who’s holding the door open, and sigh. Two guys standing alone, one just witnessing the other getting shot down. “We’re just friends.”

He tips his head. “Keep telling yourself that, Mr. Christiansen.”

I will.

15

Andrew

Lying to ourselves is sometimes the best medicine.

I thought it would feel like any other regular workday when I walked into the office this morning. But disappointment set in the moment I saw the empty reception desk.

We’re just friends . . .

Don’t think about Ice Cream Drew or her tongue licking the pink ice cream. Fuck, that’s going to be a hard memory to erase. It’s just too good to forget.

So what if I enjoy seeing Juni Jacobs on a regular basis? That’s normal. Men and women can be friends. Look at Dalen and me.

Just because I’ve had thoughts of having sex with Juni in my office doesn’t mean a thing. I shake my head and hurry to said office to hide out before she shows up.

I’m so fucked.

I need to clear my head. I’m at work, for fuck’s sake, and these kinds of thoughts could lead to me being fired. Can I be fired? Basically, Juni’s turned me into an asshole.

Although she’s not entirely to blame. I can squarely place a lot of responsibility on that damn black skirt of hers. I wish I’d never seen it. I wouldn’t be losing my fucking mind if I hadn’t.

I’m greeted by a few other early birds on my way down the hall. When I approach my door, I notice it’s already open. That’s odd. I distinctly remember locking it last night. Mary and the night janitor are the only two people with keys.