Dating the Boss (Blue Harbor #2) - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,75

waited for her to say something. Was she about to tell me I wasn’t good enough for her son? Or maybe I was freaking out for no reason.

“I have to admit, I was a little taken off guard when Danny told me he was dating you.” Beth placed the cake on the counter and pulled the plastic wrap off before looking at me. “The repercussions of it worried me. He’s worked hard for so many years. I don’t know the company policy for this sort of thing, but I can imagine it’s not favorable.”

My heart floated up to my throat, and the backs of my eyes stung.

Here it comes.

“But you know what?” She reached over and grabbed my forearm, her face breaking into a gentle smile. “Seeing him with you today… seeing the way he lights up when he looks at you… I understand now. I haven’t seen him look like that in a really long time.”

I released a shuddering breath as a single tear slipped from my eye. I cleared the lump in my throat, knowing I should say something but coming up short.

“Oh, sweetheart.” She hugged me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I only meant to say I think you’re good for Danny. I just want what’s best for him.”

“I want that too,” I croaked. “I don’t wanna be the reason he loses his job.”

“He’s a grown man,” she said, smoothing her hands up and down my arms in a comforting way. “He knows the risks he’s taking by being with you. And if he can accept it, so should we. Jobs can be replaced. But what you two have… I don’t think that can.”

“What’s going on in here?” Daniel asked, coming up behind me and sliding his arms around my stomach.

“We were getting the cake ready,” I answered, leaning my head back against his chest and smiling at Beth.

She returned my smile before grabbing a cutting knife and plates. “Help me carry this to the table?”

Daniel grabbed the plates from her, along with forks. As they walked away, I heard her whisper in his ear, “I like that boy.”

Gain Mom’s approval? Check.

“Hey, you!” Regina said, coming around the corner. She looped arms with me as we walked into the dining room. “Meg and I are going to Allie’s tonight for half-price margaritas. You and Dan wanna join us? There’s supposed to be Valentine’s Day specials everywhere. It’s sure to be a cheesefest.”

“Count me in,” I answered. “I’ll drag Daniel along too.”

“You’ll drag me where?” he asked, overhearing our conversation.

“To the bar.”

“The bar?” He sighed. “It’s Sunday. We have work in the morning.”

“You’re going,” Regina told him. “Bond with me, dammit.”

I laughed. Yeah, she and I were going to get along perfectly fine.

Around eight thirty, we headed downtown in Daniel’s car. Regina and Meg drove in front of us.

“I like your family,” I said, holding his hand between our seats.

“They like you too. Mom told me she was afraid she upset you. Are you okay?”

“I am, actually.” I looked at the Blue Harbor nightlife as we passed through town. “She made me feel better about this—you and me. And what it might mean for our jobs.”

“You’re more important to me than any job,” Daniel said.

“Even though we haven’t been together long?”

“I’ve known you for a year, Reed.” Daniel pulled into Allie’s parking lot and snagged a spot at the side of the building. He turned to me in the seat. “I’ve crushed on you for a good six months. I know what I want and what I’m willing to give up. And I’m not giving you up for anything.”

A knock on my window made me yelp.

“You coming in?” Regina said, the wind whipping her hair in her face. “It’s cold as balls out here.”

“Best not keep my sister waiting,” Daniel said, sighing as he shut off the car.

Grinning, I opened my door and rushed toward the awning. It had started to rain. Of course. Once inside the bar, the four of us found a tall table in the corner and settled in, taking off our coats. Daniel looked too damn snuggly in his navy blue sweater and jeans, droplets of rain shining in his dark hair. When our eyes met, he smiled.

My heart fucking melted.

“First round’s on me,” Regina said, then asked what we wanted. Margaritas all around, sugar instead of salt.

Allie’s was a gay bar, so I felt right at home. A small dance floor was at the back of the bar, the