Dating the Boss (Blue Harbor #2) - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,72

Instead, there was a dining area where they could sit and enjoy their food, along with a small stage in one corner for the occasional musician to come perform on weeknights and weekends. Sweets like cookies and cupcakes were sold, but so were sandwiches, coffee, and tea.

The setup was great. The interior design was spot-on. All that was needed was for people to know it was there.

“Thank you,” I said when Spencer returned to the table with our drinks. “Let’s get started.”

***

Later that evening, Reed and I ordered takeout from Mike’s Bar & Grill, then cuddled on the couch to watch a sappy romance movie. No amount of bitching could get me out of watching it because he was too excited. With Valentine’s Day on Sunday, a bunch of new Hallmark movies had been released leading up to it.

“I know how this is going to end, and I don’t even watch TV,” I said twenty minutes into the movie. “She’s going to fall in love with the chef and break it off with her douchebag fiancé, then realize she wants to stay in that little small town forever. The end.”

“Hush it, you.” Reed gently slapped my chest. “Just because it’s predictable doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable. You’re lucky we weren’t together leading up to Christmas. I did nothing but binge-watch these all month.”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll suffer this December when you do it again.”

He snickered, then grew serious. “You think we’ll still be together by then?”

An ache pierced my chest. “I hope so.”

“Me too,” he said. “This is the healthiest relationship I’ve ever had. You make me want to get up in the morning.” He squeezed my bicep. “You also make me want to hit the gym.”

“You don’t need to go to the gym,” I said, before attacking his neck with playful bites. “You’re sexy enough as it is.”

He looked like he wanted to say something but pressed his lips together instead. Once again holding whatever it was inside. He would talk to me when he was ready. But god, I wasn’t exactly a patient man.

Reed snuggled in the nook between my arm and shoulder and smiled as the chef character in the movie cooked meals and delivered them to the homeless shelter. Because of course he did. Thirty minutes later, the movie turned into a complete cheesefest, but I held my tongue because Reed was so into it.

So I watched him instead.

His hazel eyes were big and watery as the characters confessed their love to each other. They had only known each other for two weeks. However, I had no room to talk about it being too soon to feel that deeply.

I’d fallen in love with Reed long ago. I just didn’t have the guts to tell him yet. Well, not outright. On the card I’d sent with the flowers for his birthday I’d written that he’d stolen my heart, but he hadn’t put it together yet.

Or maybe he had and was choosing to ignore it.

Ugh. I hated being so unsure. I was a grown-ass man, but I was obsessing like a damn teenager. Wondering if the person you were into liked you back.

Reed’s phone lit up on the coffee table, then lit up again seconds later.

“Should you get that?” I asked. He’d said we were exclusive, and I trusted him. But that didn’t stop other men from still reaching out to him, even if he showed no interest.

He sat forward and checked the row of notifications. “It’s sale updates from Bath & Body Works. See?” He showed me the screen where it had messages talking about 50 percent off all body lotions and sprays. Plus another notification saying he had a ten-dollar-off coupon. “You thought a bunch of guys were hitting me up, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

Reed blinked. “I didn’t expect you to admit it. As you always say… impressive.”

I pulled him back against me and nuzzled his cheek. “I trust you. It’s just them I don’t trust. Because you’re way too beautiful.”

Reed giggled and turned his face toward me, his lips seeking a kiss. I didn’t deny them. We kissed as the credits rolled on the movie. It had ended happily of course.

Would Reed’s and my story end the same?

After a lifetime of failed relationships and heartache, it seemed like I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for something to take this happiness away.

“When are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?” I asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” When he tried