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But a boss who got you dates?
No way.
That was what she’d tell Jake, if he brought up the subject again. There wasn’t a way in the world she was going to let her boss play matchmaker for...
“Emily?”
She looked up. Definitely, the kiss had meant nothing. Jake stood in the doorway between his office and hers. He looked the way he always did. Intense. Focused. Just a little bit forbidding.
The wings of hope fluttered in Emily’s breast. Maybe she wouldn’t have to tell him she was declining his offer. With luck, he might say it first.
“Yes, Mr. McBride?”
“Emily, I’ve given this some thought.”
“Yes?”
“And I’ve decided you should leave.”
The wings of hope faltered, folded and were still. “Leave?”
“That’s what I said. I want you to go, right now.”
“But...” He was firing her, because of that kiss? She pushed back her chair and stood up. “But it wasn’t my idea.”
Jake lifted his brows. “Obviously not.”
“Then why...” Why should I lose my job over your mistake? “Why should I leave?”
“Look, I’m not going to debate this. I want you out of here, pronto.”
Emily folded her arms. “I don’t see any reason for this.”
“No.” Jake smiled tightly. “I didn’t think you would.”
“It’s not fair. You’ve said, yourself, I’m good at my job.”
“Of course you are. But whatever you’re doing can wait until tomorrow.”
“Now, just one minute, mister...” Emily frowned. “Tomorrow?”
“Nothing’s so important that it can’t be put off for a day.”
“I don’t...” She stared at him. “Are you telling me to leave early?”
Jake nodded. “I know you can’t see the street from here—”
“No,” she said, fumbling desperately for words, “uh, no, I can’t. I don’t have a window...”
“Exactly.” Jake gave her a quick smile. “The snow’s stopped and the streets are clear, but it’s freezing out there and you know what happens to the subways when the temperature drops to zero.”
“What?” she said stupidly. “I mean, yes. Yes, I know...”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said quickly. “I mean... well, I thought—only for a minute, you understand—I thought...”
She couldn’t say it. What an idiot she was, thinking he’d fire her because of a silly kiss. He was a man who kissed women all the time, kissed them until they were clinging to him as if he were a lifeline and they were drowning in his arms.
“...I thought the temperature was supposed to stay in the mid-thirties,” she said briskly. “Thanks for the warning.”
Oh, yes. Most definitely, the sooner she was out of here, the better. This had been the weirdest day of her life. Thankfully, she’d come to her senses. McBride had, too. He hadn’t even mentioned the Introduce Emily Around campaign. Better still, she had the feeling he’d never mention it again.
Life was still good, she thought, and smiled brightly in Jake’s direction.
“Thank you again, sir. I appreciate your concern.” She shut off her computer, cleared off her desk, got her things from the closet and sat down to put on her socks and boots.
“Emily.”
She looked up. He was leaning against the wall, eyes hooded, arms folded, watching her.
“Do you need me?”
“Do I... do I need you?”
“All you have to do is tell me you want me, Emily. You know that.”
“I don’t.” She spoke quickly, too quickly, she knew, but what kind of question was that to ask? Here she’d thought the kiss wouldn’t stand in the way of their continuing to have a good working relationship, and then he’d asked if she—
“Of course, if you’re sure you can get those boots on by yourself...”
The boots. Oh the stupid boots. Emily wanted to laugh but she didn’t dare. Instead, she gave him another bright smile
“I’ll be fine, thank you, Mr. McBride.”
“You’re sure.”
“I’m positive.”
Jake nodded., “In that case, I’ll see you in the morning.
“Certainly, Mr. McBride.”
“Jake. I thought we agreed on that.”
“Jake,” she said, and beamed at him again. “I’ll try and remember that, sir.”
“‘Sir’ and ‘Jake’ don’t go together, Emily.”
He smiled. She smiled. She was tired of smiling. Her lips felt as if they’d been stretched on a rack.
