Chapter 2

When I heard his voice calling out to me, I paused in the center of the boardwalk, completely pinned in place by his words. I shook my head to clear my brain of the haze that had come over me after seeing him for the second time and attempted to collect my thoughts. Because I was under stress, I persuaded myself to put my personal grievances toward the guy aside and focus on my job.

I breathed deeply and gently turned around to face him, concentrating on my grin the whole time. “You have no clue how shocked I am to know that I’m going to work with you, sir. Please accept my apologies for my previous actions.” I tried to be disinterested, but when he returned my grin, I was having such a difficult time keeping my heart under control that I had to clear my throat.

“I understand what you're going through, and I sympathize with your emotions,” he said, and I rolled my eyes at his praises. “By the way, you look amazing,” he added.

Was it necessary for him to use the sam