Page 21 of Miss Manage

He rolled his mocha-brown eyes, his lashes so dark and long they should’ve been illegal on a man. “We both know if we were strangers, and you weren’t my boss, you wouldn’t have replied that way.”

“You’re awfully sure of yourself,” I shot back. “Especially when you have no idea what my type is.”

“I’d argue you’d have to get to know me better outside the office before deciding if I’m your type or not.”

“Unnecessary.”

“Yet here we are,” he murmured, eyes glinting. “Now, humor me. Is this seat taken?”

Fine. I sighed, lured in by this playful side to him. “No, it’s not.”

“Thank you.” He faced forward again, quiet. Ten seconds passed. Then another.

“Is that it?” I asked finally.

His chuckle told me I’d walked right into his trap. He turned toward me, leaning closer, closing the space between us. I forced myself not to react, though every nerve was suddenly on high alert. “See? You started the conversation.” His voice dipped lower, smoother. “So, Charlotte, what should we talk about?”

Considering I valued getting to know the people on my teams, I decided to indulge the moment. It wasn’t personal, rather just part of understanding who I was working with. That’s what I told myself anyway.

“Your daughter’s thirteen, right?” I asked, grasping for the safe ground of small talk.

He gave a soft huff of surprise. “How did you—? Oh, right. Olivia mentioned it on the first day.”

“Yes.” I smiled faintly. “Small world. Still can’t believe she was your babysitter.”

“Me either.” His lips lifted into something almost tender. “She’s such a bright spot in the office.”

This was a version of Gabriel I hadn’t expected. A softer side.

“Anyway,” he went on, his gaze dropping to his glass, “Samantha recently turned thirteen. While I was in London, I came home once a month to see her. I even flew her over to Europe last summer. But still, the separation put distance between us.” He stopped abruptly, shaking his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to unload. I don’t usually talk about personal things, especially with my boss.”

“I don’t mind. And if you want my unsolicited advice, patience helps. And sometimes it’s simply about showing up. Even when they say they don’t want you there.”

He nodded, quiet for a moment. “That’s the part I’m trying to get right. I keep thinking if I say the wrong thing, I’ll push her further away.”

There it was again. The flash of vulnerability beneath the polished control. It shouldn’t have affected me, but it did.

“You’ll mess up. We all do. But if she knows you’re trying, it counts.”

For a long moment, neither of us broke eye contact. The noise of the bar dulled into the background, all fading until it was just the two of us suspended in a charged silence.

I was the first to move, clearing my throat and straightening in my seat. “Well, I should get back.” I caught the bartender’s eye and gestured for the check, sliding my card forward before Gabriel could protest.

“Thanks for the drink.”

“Anytime,” I responded automatically.

His gaze lingered a heartbeat longer, as if he’d caught the slip.

I turned away first, sliding from the stool and grabbing my purse.