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“Back at you, Romy. You look amazing. Is that weird of me to say?” He asks. “Did I make things uncomfortable?”

I smile. “Not any more than I already have.”

Changing the subject, he asks, “Are you enjoying the warm climate? Finally starting to thaw?”

“Yes!” I sip my drink. “Thank goodness. Earlier, I just sat on my balcony watching the waves. I could have sat there for hours.”

He gives a slight laugh. “Funny. I did the same thing. It’s been forever since I’ve been at a beach.”

“I’ve never been.”

His eyes go wide. “Never?”

I shake my head. “Nope. The only time I ever left Minnesota was to go to college in Arizona, which is really one big desert.”

“Nothing wrong with that. I’m just a little surprised.”

My brow furrows. “Why?”

“Every day, I watch you bundle yourself up like a cute little Eskimo and freeze your ass off dealing with the harsh Minnesota weather. I figured you would have traveled South by now.”

“Minnesota is my home,” I begin. “As much as I hate the cold, I would feel weird leaving. Plus, that would mean leaving my boss, and I’m pretty sure he’d fall apart without me,” I tease.

‘You’re probably right.” He smiles for a moment before his expression turns serious again. “For what it’s worth, Romy, I am damn lucky to have you. You do so much for this company and me. I know I don’t say it nearly enough, but you are so appreciated.”

“I’m just doing my job,” I mutter.

“No, Romy, don’t sell yourself short. I need to do better at showing you your value. Because you really are amazing.”

The way he looks at me makes me feel his words, but there’s something I can’t quite put my finger on.

There is one thing I am sure about, though—I’m in so much fucking trouble.