Chapter 61

“I think the boss would soon have something to say if I reverted to some feeble, emotional victim who wept over old scars, don’t you?” I smile, hoping to turn this conversation back to our usual banter and release this heavy fog-like tension around us.

“The boss would be an idiot if he did.” He looks over at me, a hint of a sad flicker. Not fun and flirty, Jake. He’s still in serious mode.

“My boss is sometimes an idiot,” I flutter at him impishly. “He gets me irrationally drunk and lets me fall apart when he should know better.”

“Maybe getting you drunk is the only time you’re truly yourself around him. That, and it’s easier to seduce you when you can’t see straight,” he retorts. I finally catch that mischievous glint in his eye. He visibly relaxes into a casual pose.

“So, you planned on getting me drunk, Mr. Smooth? To take advantage of me!” I shake my head, my mood restored to a tipsy mellow, and everything else fades away. I’m glad we’ve steered away from