Page 1 of Boss of Me

Chapter One

marlowe

“You’re going on awhat?”

I wince at my sister’s incredulous tone as I slide my feet into strappy tan heels. “I’m going on a date. With Dawson.”

“The guy your boss introduced you to? The one who rushed off the phone and went radio silent for a week?”

“He’s been super busy at work,” I explain. “But he texted this morning to ask me out for drinks.”

“You can’t be serious,” Ember sputters in disbelief.

“What do you mean?”

“We already talked about this, Marlowe. He’s the son of your boss’s best friend. Going on a date with him is just asking for trouble. So many things could go wrong, and you can’t afford to lose your job because you were naïve enough to mix business with pleasure. Besides,” Ember rants, “there are so many other ways to meet guys. Haven’t you ever heard of Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Bumble?—”

“You know I don’t like dating apps,” I interrupt.

“You’ve never even tried one.”

“Don’t have to. I’ve heard horror stories.”

My sister snorts. “You know what’s horrifying? Going out with a guy you’ve never even seen before. I mean, don’t you think it’s weird that he’s seenyourpicture but you’ve never seen his?”

I frown. “He’s not on social media?—”

“Couldn’t he at least send you a selfie? My God, Marlowe. What if he’s hideous?”

“He’s not,” I insist as my rescue cat winds herself around my legs, purring like a turbocharged engine. “Barbara told me he’s tall with dark hair and a great smile. She said he’s really attractive.”

“Of course she’d say that. He’s her best friend’s son. Andherdefinition of attractiveness might be totally different from yours.”

The same thought has occurred to me, but I’m not about to admit it to Ember. Reaching down to stroke Sansa’s soft orange fur, I say almost defensively, “We talked on the phone?—”

“For all of three minutes.”

“Long enough to confirm that he’s a nice guy?—”

“Who might be butt-ass ugly.”

I heave a sigh. “Will you stop being so negative?”

“I’m not being negative. I’m being realistic.”

My phone alerts me that my Uber has arrived. “Gotta run,” I announce as Sansa scampers off.

Ember sighs. “So you’re really going through with this insanity.”

“I am.” I bite my lip. “Wish me luck.”

“You’re gonna need it,” she retorts.

“C’mon, Ember,” I groan, crossing to the full-length mirror hanging on the back of the closet door. “I’m new in town and it’s my first date in forever. I need all the moral support I can get.”

“I know, I know.” Her voice softens. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be such a Debbie Downer. I just worry about you.”

I smile quietly. “What else is new?”