Page 15 of Bear Boss’s Mate (Pleasantville Shifter #1)

THE NEXT DAY, MARCY brought in her own lunch to eat at her desk. She wasn’t going to put herself out there just to have more potential issues with people.

People like Sheila and Mick.

The situation with Mick proved she was not ready to be in a relationship yet, out of fear of getting hurt. Sheila only made matters worse. Marcy didn’t want to have to leave her job if things got ugly.

That meant no more lunches with Austin, and definitely no more dates.

She hoped he wouldn’t ask her out for lunch again because she didn’t want to have to turn him down. Even though doing so was the right thing to do.

They had enjoyed their lunch together the day before, and she’d gone away from that, thinking they could be friends.

That was before Sheila had a go at her for being around Austin. Besides, there’s no way I could ever be just friends with him. She had to keep things strictly professional and avoid him as much as possible.

Around midday, Austin appeared at her door, smiling. Marcy pretended to be working at her computer and ignored him for a couple of moments to make her lie believable.

“Ready for lunch?” His voice was full of hope.

Her stomach flipped at knowing what she had to do. Marcy bit her lip, refusing to make eye contact. “I’m too busy. I can’t.”

Instead of leaving, he stepped inside the office and closed the door.

Crap. He’s not going to make this easy.

“You need to eat. Bern tells me you’re caught up on everything. Surely you can spare a half-hour?” His voice was soft but had a hint of worry to it.

Marcy stopped what she was doing and looked at Austin. Her heart melted at the sight of him and the disappointed look on his face. She swallowed down the urge to give in.

She hadn’t intended to hurt him, but this was necessary. Biting down on her bottom lip, she shook her head. “I really can’t spare the time,” she snapped. She glanced at her monitor, hoping he would just leave without making this any harder.

He put his hands in his pockets and then removed them again, putting his hands out to his side. “What’s wrong? What happened between yesterday and today? I thought we had a nice lunch yesterday, and that things were going well between us?”

Marcy scratched her head and sat up straight in her chair, huffing out a ragged sigh. “There is no us, and I don’t think there can ever be anything between us.”

She watched as Austin’s eyes narrowed. “Oh?” He sat down in the chair in front of her desk and placed his hands on his thighs.

Just go before I change my mind . Marcy’s stomach did flips as she spoke again, knowing she was about to lie.

“It was a mistake, going on a date. I’m just not, it won’t work.

” She looked down and began playing with a pen, twirling it in circles on the desk.

The anxiety was back, but this time it wasn’t because she was scared.

How could she care so much about him already? This was an impossible situation. One she never imagined finding herself going through.

Austin leaned forward and stopped her hand from moving the pen. Sitting back in his seat, he placed his hands on his thighs. “I want the truth. What’s really going on? I know you feel something for me. Why are you pretending you don’t?”

Marcy couldn’t lie anymore. “I do have feelings for you. I can’t explain how I can have them so strongly when I barely know you, but I do.”

Austin’s brow creased, and he tilted his head.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing. I like you too, Marcy, very much.

I’m very attracted to you, and I want to get to know you better.

I can’t do that if you run scared every time I get close to you,” he asserted.

“What’s made you change your mind about going out with me? ”

She rolled her eyes. “Yesterday, after we got back from lunch, Sheila stopped by my office.”

Austin’s fingers pressed into his thighs; his face flushed with annoyance. “Is that right? What did she say to you?”

“A few things. Mostly she ranted about how you belong to her. She admitted she had her sights on you since she started working here. She said you told her you weren’t interested in me.

Then she finished her tirade with a threat.

Telling me I’d better stay away from you.

” Marcy paused. “The whole thing just made me think of Mick. I don’t want to be caught up in another crazy person’s drama. I think she’s unstable to be honest.”

“She had no right saying any of that,” countered Austin.

“She’s lying. You know that, right? I told you the night we were out that Sheila won’t take no for an answer.

She doesn’t stand a chance with me and never will.

I understand now why you’re freaked out.

I promised you that your job wouldn’t be affected and I mean it.

I would never lie to you. I want you to know that. ”

Marcy nodded. “It’s okay. I knew she was lying. I’m glad you understand. I’m sorry. I wasn’t going to say anything.” She stopped speaking and pressed her lips into a frown.

“Hmm,” he growled. His lips pursed, and he gave his head a slow shake. Everything about Austin revealed him to be a decent man. She wanted to get to know him, but her fear was still in charge. “I want no more drama in my life.” Marcy choked back tears.

Austin stood. “If you aren’t interested in dating me right now, that’s fine. I won’t push you. I’m just asking you to lunch. You need to eat, Marcy.” Austin’s voice was filled with compassion.

Marcy’s bottom lip began to quiver, and her eyes filled with tears. The emotions she was working hard to hide were bubbling over. She hid her face in her hands. Austin moved around the desk to put a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I’m sorry I’m such a mess,” she sobbed, looking up at him. “I just need some time to figure out what I want.”

Austin smoothed her hair with one hand and pulled away, leaving the office. He closed the door quietly behind him.