Just in case Steph’s wrong, I sneak a look towards the front door.
Oh my God. It is him. Brandon McAllister. My gaze is magnetically drawn to him every time, but even I can’t deny that having a relationship with my boss is wrong. It has to be professional all the way, even if that’s the last thing I want. Of course, Steph’s already told me that I should go for it. Tonight he is wearing dark, faded jeans and a plain black shirt that strains across his wide shoulders and chest, revealing the toned body that is usually covered by his suit jackets. He looks so good looking that it was intimidating sometimes. I want to lick every inch of him.
Then I catch sight of something that makes my heart drop to my stomach. His dark eyes, usually serious, are crinkled and smiling at the girl beside him. A lover? A friend? I hope it’s a friend. There’s another guy there too, who taps on the girls shoulder and says something. She gives his arm a quick squeeze and I let out the breath I was holding. Definitely not Mr. McAllister’s girlfriend.
He turns toward me and I whip my head back to Steph, my heart pounding in my ears. I could feel him looking at me though, and it made me my heart pound.
“We’re getting out of here,” I tell Steph. “Where’s the waiter at?”
Of course, there’s nobody in sight. I see a girl come out from the kitchen and try to wave her over.
“What? I haven’t even finished my burger,” Steph exclaims. “Relax a little Chelsea. What’s the worst that can happen? That you guys talk and hit it off? Maybe he takes you into bed? He looks like he’d be a good lover. Strong. Lots of stamina. Older too, so he probably knows his way around a woman’s body. Really, I can understand why you’re so gaga over him.”
I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation about my boss’ sexual prowess with him less than fifty feet away. His ears must be burning up.
“What if he thinks I followed him here or something? And in case you’ve forgotten our past few conversations, the reason we haven’t done anything, aside from the fact that he’s shown no interest, is because he’s my BOSS!”
I’m swinging my arm harder to try to catch the waitress’ attention, but she’s too focused on taking an order. Instead, I’ve caught the attention of someone else. My boss. Crap. I see him winding his way between the tables towards us. Steph is smiling like the Cheshire Cat.
“Chelsea,” he says in a rich, dark voice. It’s an authoritative voice, one that’s great at giving commands and used to being obeyed. That’s partly why I’m half in love with him already. “What a nice surprise!”
“Mr. McAllister,” I say faintly. He’s really here in front of me. Without the structure of work, I’m at a loss for what to say to him.
“Hi,” Steph says brightly, holding out her hand. I gaze at her and see her pushing her hair back. She’s not immune to his charm either. “I’m Stephanie, her best friend.”
“Nice to meet you.” He flashes her a smile that makes me irrationally jealous and takes her hand.
“So,” she says, “Are you really riding her as hard as she says you are, or is she just trying to get out of mailing out a thousand wedding invitations this weekend?”
“Steph!” I want the ground to swallow me up. My cheeks are flaming, and the only reason Mr. McAllister can’t see is because of the dim lights. That’s probably the only good thing about this place.
“We have to go,” I say to my boss.
“We do?” my ex-best friend says far too innocently.
“Yes. I’m really busy remember?” I pick up my purse and jacket. “See you Monday Mr. McAllister.”
I try to avoid his eyes as I move around him, yanking Steph by the arm as I march towards the register at the front. I don’t even care if I’m being rude. I just want to get out of here before Steph opens her mouth and tells him about my stupid infatuation with him. She’s trying to tell me to wait, but there’s no way I’m stopping. When I get to the register by the bar, I pay for both of us and we’re out of there in five minutes flat. I don’t let up until I get to the corner.
“I can’t believe you said that!” I exclaim. “How the hell am I going to face him at work?”
“You should have thought of that before you wigged out on him. He was being friendly. Now he definitely knows something is up.”
My hands slowly slide down my face. What a nightmare.
“So... are you really going to call it a night then Chelsea?” she asks, glancing at her watch. “I told Michael I wasn’t going to be home until at least nine.”