Dating the Boss (Blue Harbor #2) - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,79

walking away.

I stared after him in shock before walking inside the office and shutting the door behind me. My hands were shaking. I was both pissed and worried.

“Have a seat, Mr. Sawyer.” Jeremy motioned to the chair in front of his desk.

“What did Reed tell you?”

“That you two are dating,” he answered, taking a seat. I did the same, though my nerves were too wired for me to sit still, so I bounced my knee. “He was… more detailed than necessary, and he rambled a lot.”

Sounds like him. But I couldn’t find the strength to smile at the thought. I was too anxious.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware,” Jeremy continued, “but there’s nothing in the company regulations that mentions workplace romances.”

“I thought it was against policy.”

“No. Is it inappropriate?” Jeremy shrugged. “Probably. However, the absence of a rule leaves it open for me to make a judgment call. It’s at my discretion.”

“What’s your decision on the matter?” I asked, keeping a steady tone, even though I was anything but calm.

What in god’s name had Reed done? If he’d quit his job, I was going to rage.

“I haven’t decided yet.” Jeremy rested his elbow on the arm of the chair and lifted a hand to his chin, finger curling at his lip. “I wanted to speak with you first. Have anything you’d like to add to the discussion?”

“I don’t know what Reed told you, but none of this is his fault. If one of us is going to lose our job, I’ll quit here and now.”

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Sawyer.” Jeremy tapped his chin before leaning forward on his desk. “Mr. Nolan was adamant in saying the relationship is consensual and that he first initiated it. In fact, he said he’d quit if it came to that. It’s quite amusing actually. You’re both so selfless when it comes to each other.”

“I love him,” I said. It was as simple—and as complicated—as that.

“He said that too.” Jeremy smiled before sighing. “Perhaps I’m too big of a sap, but you two remind me of me and my husband.”

I blinked, shocked, then asked, “How so?”

“He’s almost fifteen years older than me and taught my business and finances class in college,” Jeremy answered. “We waited until I was out of his class to go public with our relationship, but until then, we were afraid he’d get reprimanded or fired if anyone found out. So I can relate to your situation all too well.”

Hope filled my chest, but I was reluctant to let that hope get too high. Jeremy could pull out a pin and pop the balloon any moment.

“Regardless of my personal feelings on the matter, you publicly dating your assistant comes with its own set of issues,” Jeremy continued. “It could get ugly with workplace drama.”

Yep. Here comes the pin.

“However.” He held up a finger. “I heard you’re getting promoted at the end of the month. If you were to accept this promotion, you technically wouldn’t be working with Mr. Nolan anymore. He’d be the assistant of the new vice president.” A sly grin curved his lips. “See my meaning?”

“I do,” I said, practically breathing out the words. Relief mixed with hope inside me, and my knee bounced faster. “We should keep our relationship quiet until after I’m promoted. I’ll be head of the department but not necessarily overseeing Reed personally, so there wouldn’t be an issue.”

“Precisely.”

Two more weeks. And then Reed and I could be completely open about our relationship. No more hiding. I could barely believe how great things had worked out.

“Thank you, Mr. Blake,” I said, standing from the chair and shaking his hand.

“No reason to thank me.” He dropped his hand back to the table. “If Mr. Nolan hadn’t spoken to me first, I might feel differently. But he more than convinced me that he loves you, and after meeting with you, I see the same of you. Just don’t do anything to make me regret this decision. No groping in the halls in front of god and everyone or going at it in the breakroom.”

Nah, more like my office.

I cracked a smile. “Understood.”

Reed was sitting in the waiting area when I left Jeremy’s office. His legs were pulled up into the plushy chair, and he stared up at the TV, chewing his nails. Spotting me, he jumped up and rushed over.

“Why are you still here?” I asked. “You should be working.”

“I was too anxious to go back down,” he said, his hazel eyes big. “I wanted to wait