Boss I Love to Hate An Office Romance - Mia Kayla Page 0,103

I’m watching you. You had your chance, and you blew it.

I leaned in to pull her in, paying extra-special attention to her, treating her like the queen she was in front of him.

The waitress dropped the check in the middle of the table, and immediately, I threw my black Amex with the unlimited line on top. The sooner I was out of this hellhole, the less likely I would ram my fist into Jeff’s face.

“Thank you,” Jean said.

Jeff grabbed the check underneath my card. “No, I have it.”

I gritted my teeth. Really? He is going to play this game right here? “Maybe you should save your money since your girlfriend likes to go shopping.” I plucked the check from his hand, and as the waitress passed us, I put it in her hands. “Here you go.”

Jean’s and Sonia’s eyes ping-ponged between us. The tension between us was noticeably high. Jeff glared at me. Me? I threw him one condescending smile.

I could take this guy. Outside. One punch, and I’d have him out. I needed to leave or else I’d do something I’d regret, and I knew that wouldn’t work in my favor with winning Sonia over.

“It’s been a pleasure,” I lied. Then, I reached for Sonia’s jacket slung behind her seat. “Let’s go, Shorts.”

An awkward smile surfaced. “Okay, let me go to the restroom really quick.”

Jeff stood. “Actually, I have to go, too.”

Count backward. That was what I’d tell Mary to calm down during her tantrums.

I tipped my chin, afraid I would say some asshole comment, and sat back in my seat, stewing as they both walked toward the back of the restaurant. And then I was left with Barbie Jean.

Chapter 20

Sonia

“This was fun,” I deadpanned.

Jeff let out a tired laugh, one I knew so well. “Was it? ’Cause I thought that was torture.”

We walked into the narrow hall toward the restrooms.

“Maybe you should have told your girlfriend not to push it. She texted and left a voice mail. Do you think I wanted to be here?” I returned his honesty with equal sarcasm.

“She’s an idiot,” he said, letting out a breath.

I wanted to ask him why he was with her then, but he beat me to the question. He reached for my arm and pulled me to the side to let people pass us. The hallway that led to the restrooms was dark and secluded, and the light flickered overhead.

“What are you doing with him, Sonia?”

I reeled back, shocked at his directness. “What kind of question is that? I could ask you the same thing.” I shook my head. “Never mind. It’s none of my business anymore, and it sure as hell is no longer yours.”

Jeff stepped into me, toe-to-toe. His tone was sharp, pissed almost. “He’s not your type. He seems like an asshole. You hated him when we were together, and now, you’re a couple?” he spat. “How does that make any sense?”

Deep-seated courage seeped into my veins, and I lifted my chin. “I never saw this side of Brad before because I only knew him at work. Since then, I’ve met his nieces, and he’s met my family. He’s only an asshole to people on the outside.” I gritted my teeth, not realizing I was justifying my relationship to someone who didn’t deserve it. “And he’s not an asshole,” I snapped, my back straightening.

Even though Brad was an asshole, no one could call him one. Except me because he was my asshole.

My asshole. The moment the thought pushed through, I blinked.

When Jeff’s hand fell to my waist, I pushed his hand off.

“You’re the one who left me, remember? Jean? Funny how she worked with you and then quit close to the time you dumped me.”

“We weren’t together then.” He ran one aggravated hand through his hair. “I made a mistake, okay? It’s all wrong with her. It was only ever right with you.”

He erased the space between us, resting one arm over my head, and I flushed myself against the wall, hating his closeness.

“I’ve missed you. Being with her has only made me realize how much. Every time she laughs, I think about your contagious, never-ending laugh. I messed up, and now, I want to make it right.” There was a softness in his tone and sincerity in his eyes that I recognized from the old Jeff I used to know.

But this—him being so close—unnerved me.

I stared up at him, dumfounded.

Wasn’t this what I’d been waiting for? I’d been dreaming of this day, wishing for Karma,