Page 82 of Tell Me Something

Stopping after a few steps, I waited until he noticed I wasn’t walking beside him any longer.

“I know it’s none of my business,” he said, stepping back toward me.

“Agreed. It isn’t any of your business. I will simply say that he’s my boss, and I’m lucky for the opportunity he’s given me.” I didn’t need this shit now, especially with my emotions all over the place.

“So are you and Will an item?”

“Again, none of your business.” I could absolutely refute being anything more than friends, but at the moment I didn’t feel I owed anyone an explanation.

He contemplated, and I remembered what Josh had said about Brian asking about me in Charlotte. “And if you’re about to ask me out, please don’t. I think you’re a nice and funny guy, and I’m flattered. But if you want my honest opinion, I’m not the girl for you.”

He laughed out loud. “Oh, I think you have enough guys at the moment who would like to date you, Haylee girl, without me adding to the mix.”

I narrowed my eyes at his use of Will’s endearment.

He laughed some more. “Come on, it’s freezing. Let’s walk.”

We fell into step again.

“I’m curious. So who’s the girl for me, then, if you’re not? You sounded like you had someone in mind.”

“Oh, I think you know.”

“Inter-office relationships can be tricky.” His innuendo was unmistakable.

“Are they? I wouldn’t know.”

“Because they aren’t tricky, or because there isn’t something going on?”

I stopped again. “Why don’t you spit it out, Brian? Or better yet, go ask your best friend.”

He smirked as if he’d been hoping I would suggest he do just that. “Okay, I’ve known Josh forever. And I have to say that in the last couple of months since he’s met you, he’s been happier than I’ve seen him in a very long time.”

Oh, shit, this wasn’t what I’d expected to hear. I’d assumed his intention was to make it sleazy. “Oh,” was all I managed.

He took my arm and sighed, falling back into step. “And I did ask him, but he’s towing the same line you are. So I think one of three things is happening. Either there’s nothing going on, and I’m being completely offensive to you right now. Or there’s something definitely going on, and neither of you want anyone to know. Or what I think is most likely is there’s potential for something, and if I know him, he isn’t acting on it because of the position he’s in.”

There he went with the assumption Josh wouldn’t act. “What would you recommend, then, if I were theoretically in the third situation you describe?”

We’d arrived at the office building and went into the lobby. There he turned toward me. “I would recommend that you keep doing what you’re doing, but at some point, you’ll probably have to make the first move.”

My lips twitched. If he only knew that’s exactly what I’d done.

“So I’m curious. What made you reach out to Sasha? She wasn’t exactly nice to you when you first met.”

We stepped on the elevator heading up to the office. “I imagine it’d be exhausting having to fight to take charge and be heard. I saw that in your meeting in Charlotte. She has to work three times as hard, all while getting half the respect. I’d be bitchy too if I had to go through that every single day.”

He appeared to consider my words. “I respect her fully, for the record, and can appreciate how hard she has to work in this industry. But I can’t seem to figure out a way to make her believe she doesn’t always have to fight.”

“You’re a smart man, Brian with an I. You’ll figure it out.” We both stepped off the elevator as Josh came out of his office. I hadn’t expected to see him tonight.

He looked equally as surprised. “I didn’t think you’d be back this evening.”

“Catherine sent the dresses over here, and I wanted to bring them home tonight. Plus, I needed to grab some things.”

Brian decided to take his leave. “Merry Christmas, Haylee. Amazing job today. The client will be thrilled, and I can’t wait to see the photos.”

“Thanks, Brian. Merry Christmas to you, too. Good night.”