When he nods, I can’t help but smile.
“Yes… but please don’t get too excited yet. Joshua, you are my son and it’s been hard trying to separate myself from being your boss, and the parent who wants to give you everything.”
“Dad, I have worked hard here. even when I was an asshole who yeah, I admit that I was the office flirt and I did sleep around. But I know you… father or not, you wouldn’t have stood for my bull shit if I wasn’t good.”
He just looks at me. I’m right. I know I am.
“I agree, let’s just see how the next month goes. It’s fair to continue the tasks I set out for you and Riley. He’s doing well too on his front.”
“Okay,” I say agreeing because I have to.
He’s boss. The boss of me if I want what I want I have to play by the rules.
He nods and I stand up.
“I’ll see you later,” I tell him.
“You know we’re having dinner with Jennifer and her family Sunday if you want to join us.” He looks hopeful.
“No, thank you.” Before I met Giselle, I would have allowed him to continue this shit with Jennifer, but before Giselle I didn’t have better and I feel like I’m somewhat inclined to let him know that I’ve been with a woman who is good and decent. Since I can’t outrightly tell him that I do the next best thing. “Dad, you may want to get your head out of the clouds when it comes to Jennifer. She’s not the person you think she is, and when I do decide to get married, it will be for love. A woman I love the way you love Mom. It won’t be with someone you’ve picked for me either.”
I know I shocked him to shit because I don’t talk like that. I’ve left him speechless, staring after me as I go through the door.
I head to the break room and I’m glad when I see Matt inside. He smiles when he sees me.
My friend has upgraded himself from playbo
y to boyfriend. He’s now dating, and it looks good on him. He looks happy.
“Bro, how did it go?” he asks me. “Did your old man grill you again?”
I chuckle. “Not so much. I’d say the meeting went well.”
Matt nods with approval. “Great, we should go out later for a drink.”
“I can’t.” It’s the same answer I’ve been giving for the last couple of months when he asks to meet up later in the evening. We’ve gone for lunch together, but I spend my evenings with Giselle.
“Tomorrow then? Friday night wildness on the town, you and me.”
“I’m seeing Giselle tomorrow night too.”
He frowns. “And every night in between.” Now he laughs at me and shakes his head. “Don’t you see what’s happening here?”
I raise my brows. “What?”
“Josh when was the last night you had that didn’t involve you and Giselle in some sexual encounter and at The Dark Odyssey?”
I don’t have to think. We’ve been there practically every night for the last two months.
It was just a handful of nights that we didn’t spend together, but we more than made up for it.
“No.”
“And you’re okay with that, being in this arrangement where you just have fun. A game at the club?”
This guy always knows how to push my buttons and get me thinking.
The truth is, I do want more from her. I always want more and I’m here trying to stop myself from moving past boundaries I set up.