Page 28 of The Biker and the Baker

No answer.

Me:Started WHAT?

Still no answer.

Me:Just to be clear, I didn't start anything. We're still enemies. Got that?

Me:I repeat: I started nothing and nothing was started and nothing will be started.

I’m ignored.

Well, heck. Now what?

~

The following Saturday, I’m in the liquor aisle of the supermarket bobbing my head to Fifth Harmony’sWork,when someone bumps into me from behind with their trolley. Yanking my earphones out, I whip around, ready to lay into the person behind me, but stop short when I realize who it is. My boss. Or my boss’s boss. Cookie.

"Thought that was you."

"Oh, hi. How are you?" I lilt.

It’s been quite a few weeks since I’ve seen her; she doesn’t come around much. From appearance alone, nothing’s intimidating about her—a tall, toned redhead with a great rack. But it’s those eyes. Once you look into them, youknow. She’s no average woman. Not someone to be messed with. And then there’s the way she stares at you, like she knows all your deep, dirty secrets.

"I’m good." She points her chin to the contents of my trolley. A block of cheese, crackers, baked potato chips, Rocky Road ice-cream, and two bottles of wine. "That’s the‘I’m single and it’s the weekend’combo.” She gives me a knowing look. “Spending your Saturday night munching on these and watching your favorite TV series?"

Damn. She read my trolley like a book. "Yep. Pretty much."

Her smile is crooked as she mutters, "Enjoy" and pushes off. But a short way off, she stops and turns. "You got any plans for tomorrow?"

"Um, no. Not really."

"My girlfriend’s having an Alfresco dinner. You’re invited. I'll text you the directions."

Okay, sothisis happening. My boss is inviting me to a personal event. I’m not sure how I feel about that yet. Do I want to cross those solid lines of ‘boss’ and ‘employee’? Is this a pity invite? Does she think I’m sad and pathetic because I’m spending my Saturday night with wine, ice cream, and my DVR? What will I evendoat an event where I know no one? Am I allowed a plus one? Willhebe there?

"I’ll think about it," I tell her.

But the look she gives me before she turns and continues down the aisle tells me she knows I’m going to be there.

~

I’m not surprised to see Calvin kicking rocks outside my house when I get home. With how bluntly I’ve been curving him, it was only a matter of time before he showed up to try and put his stamp on me. He could never stand being ignored.

His pinstripe suit hugs him like a glove, his hair gelled and parted to the side. The man is undeniably handsome and sizzling with sex appeal, but it’s not enough to get me back under him, no matter how good he is in bed.

He glances up when I pull into the driveway, flashing me a dazzling smile.

Engine off, I sigh as I get out of the car. "What do you want, Cal?"

"You’ve been avoiding me.”

“Yeah, I have.”

“I miss yo—”

"You’reengagedto one woman with a baby on the way from another, Cal."

His smile vanishes. "Who told you that?"