Page 39 of Take My Love

He arches a brow, leaning back in the chair. “Does that include you?”

I scoff. “You’ve just proven my point. Whaddya think happens when employees date and then break up? It brings tension and awkwardness into the workplace, so it’s better to set the expectations upfront.”

“Fine, so if I don’t hang out with Emily, I can keep my job?”

I hesitate briefly. “Yes.”

It’s not that I want him to be without a job but seeing him every day is wearing me down when I’ve spent all these years trying to pretend he didn’t exist. That made it easier to forget his rejection.

And the spiral of rejections I had after him.

He shakes his head. “She’s the only person who was nice to me this week. It’s not like I was plannin’ to fuck her.”

My spine straightens at his blunt words. “I was nice to you.”

“No…you barely tolerated me. And you weren’t exactly subtle about your dislike about me being in your house and workin’ here. Ian didn’t even say my name, just called me New Boy whenever he wanted to get my attention.”

I hold back laughter because I didn’t know Ian did that.

“I’ll talk to him about that,” I reassure him. “And tell him to ease up.”

“So I can return on Monday?”

“Yes, as long as you don’t violate the rules.”

“Do I still gotta participate in being your goat yoga guinea pig?”

I smirk. “Surprisingly, the women like you. Class nearly doubled on Thursday than what it was on Tuesday.”

“Fine.” He sighs, dramatically rolling his eyes. “Wait, whaddya meansurprisingly?”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “A couple of ’em posted videos about you and it brought more attention to the class.”

“So that makes me like…a pimp. A goat yoga pimp. I should definitely be gettin’ paid.” He crosses his arms.

Sighing, I lift my shoulders. “Fine. I’ll add it to your next check. Happy now?”

“Are you gonna kick me out if I let Michelle cut my hair or we grab drinks after?”

“No.” I furrow my brows in confusion, although I don’t think he needs a haircut. “I don’t care who you’re romantically involved with as long as they don’t work here.”

“You don’t?”

“As long as you don’t bring ’em to my house,” I quickly add.

“Ever?”

“Never,” I confirm, my skin boils hot at the thought of hearing him with another woman. I’d have to cut off my ears. “Either go to theirs or wait until you have your own place.”

“Fine, I can respect that. It is your house.”

“Exactly.”

He squeezes the arm rests. “Anythin’ else?”

“Yes, we’re due for family supper in forty-five minutes so we need to clean up.” I stand, grabbing my bag.

“I’m invited?” His face lights up.