Boss of Me

“Walk over and say Hi. See what he says.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to set us up.”

“Girl, it’s the first time I’ve seen him show this much interest in anybody.” She gives my arm a gentle nudge. “It can only be a good thing for all of us.”

“He’s my boss, Sandra. I think he wants t

o keep things professional.” Although that’s not what his dick was telling me yesterday in the water.

“You’re not afraid, are you?” Her eyebrow arches.

Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat. “Of course not. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Why in the world would I be afraid? He simply looks like he needs some alone-time is all…” Stop talking now.

I press my lips together.

“Um-hm.” She gives me another nudge. “Go say Hi. It’s a holiday weekend.”

“What difference does that make?”

“Nobody wants alone-time on a holiday.”

I’m not sure that’s true. Still, I’ve had just enough beer to do this, even though it’s silly. I’m on my feet about to head over when she stops me.

“Take your beer.” She puts the pint glass in my hand and my purse on my shoulder. “Just in case.”

I give her a little eye roll before casually walking over to where he’s sitting. A half-dozen grilled oysters are in front of him along with a pint of beer. This is crazy. What am I doing? I’m turning around to head back, when his voice stops me.

“Following me around now?”

Wrinkling my nose, I turn back and smile, doing my best to joke. “I was just going to say the same thing to you.”

His dark eyes slide down and up my body, taking in my short-sleeved navy sweater and denim skirt. “My condo is over on seventeenth, so this is my neighborhood. You’re pretty far from home.”

“How do you know where I live?” I pretend to be surprised, when I’m really thrilled.

“It’s on your résumé.”

“Oh, right.” So much for that.

“Have a seat.”

An open stool is beside him, and I do as he says. Leaning forward, I point toward my old table. “Sandra invited me to lunch.”

He turns, and we both see her standing, giving us a little wave as she takes her purse and heads for the door.

“Where is she going?” My lips part, and I turn to him.

“Sandra doesn’t live too far, either. We see each other here sometimes.”

It was a setup. “She suggested I come over and say hello.”

“I’m not working you people hard enough,” he mutters, lifting an oyster and quickly slurping it out of the shell. My nose wrinkles as he drops the empty shell. “Did you have lunch?”

“No.”

“Have one of these.” He slides the platter of oysters toward me, but I shake my head.

“Not a fan.”