Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

Robert:

. . .

I blow out a breath. I just want my life back and that bracelet is part of me. It’s part of my history. Grandma gave it to me when I was little, and I’ve always kept it with me. I’ve lost so much already. While the guys make my cage feel comfortable, I’m still trapped by the lurking fear of the stalker and Valerie.

Robert:

I don’t feel comfortable leaving it with a stranger.

Okay, that’s reasonable. Right? He’s not the stalker. Or at least he’s not on the suspect list anymore, so it should be fine. It will be in public with everyone around. Nothing to worry about.

Me:

Okay. Text me when you get to the lobby on Monday. I’ll come down and get it from you.

Robert:

Okay.

It’ll be good to see you.

If you need anything, I’m here for you.

I set the phone down. Yes, some things Robert says creep me out a little. But unlike Hunter, Robert has been nothing but kind to me. I can’t see him creeping into my apartment and filming me without my knowledge. Or terrorizing me in a dark office building.

He’s always wanted to give me things and help me. He’s just a little odd. There’s nothing nefarious about that.

Hope:

Is it time yet?

I grin at her text and glance at the time. Yup, it’s time for whatever Seth has planned for me.

“I still can’t believe you’re dating Cooper.” Hope takes a bite of salad while watching me with her huge blue eyes. We sit across from each other at a restaurant.

“Yeah.” I smile as I push my salad around on the plate. My nerves about tonight are getting to me and my stomach feels queasy. What if I blow this? What if it’s obvious the guys are all with me? What if one of them likes their date more than me?

What if I prove to them I can’t handle any of this?

“The whole floor is abuzz with you and him kissing in the lobby on Monday. Some girls are sad he’s off the market, while others are just mean bitches. A couple of women claim it won’t last. But I know you and him will go the distance. You look so perfect together.”

There’s that damned word again. Perfection isn’t attainable. Not for me at least.

“Mmm.” She finishes her bite and takes a drink of water. “Courtney says you’re not special just because you’re fucking him. She’s so bitchy.”

“Why does she hate me so much?” I’m curious if Hope actually knows any of the backstory. Because Courtney hasn’t liked me from day one.

“She was close friends with Andrea, their previous assistant. Courtney used to be pretty decent before Andrea was walked out. After that, she got real bitchy about the bosses, like they were at fault somehow for Andrea’s issues.” Hope sets her fork down and leans closer. “Seriously, Andrea was a bitch, and I’m sure whatever they accused her of, she did.”

I take a bite to keep in the information I have. How she tried to blackmail them. I can’t really discuss it anyway.

Hope glances around covertly like we’re being watched. Except for Tim the driver, no one pays us any attention. He sits at the bar with us in his sights. When her gaze comes back to me, she says, “What really pissed her off was they didn’t pick her for their assistant.”

I cough around my food and swallow hard. Did she interview? Did she know the conditions of employment? Grabbing my glass, I drink some water to help wash it down.

“You okay?” Hope looks like she’s about to get up and give me the Heimlich maneuver.

I wave her off. “I’m good. What do you mean?”