Joanna wince. She'd changed three times before leaving the apartment-nothing too nice, nothing

ts and a blue sweater. S

rner table with a view of the door. He stood when he saw

You loo

from him, putting the table between them. "I

her neck, the place where she'd tried to cover the last of the bruise

behind it. "Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to

his attention sharpen, focus on her

ship," he repeated. "

I respect you. But lately, some of your comments and... invitations have felt like they're cross

ossing a line. You mean you d

et her dry throat. "I value my job. I don't want anything to c

palm was damp. Clammy. "Joanna, I thought we had a connection. The way

spill, but the near-miss made her cheeks burn. "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impressio

ile vanished, replaced by something

strength. "That's why I wanted to talk to you in person

aveled over her face, searching for a we

el. But you're not allowed to harass me.

I was under a different impression. But if this is how you feel-" He said the w

el ate steak and watched her with eyes that missed nothing. The conversation turned to work,

ked up, Daniel was wat

Daniel walked her to the subway, his hand hovering near the small of her

nded the stairs. "I'll see you at work to

n't loo

friend, a text on the fridge informed her. Joanna was grateful for the solitude

rawled into bed with her phone clu

g at m

miliar, but the timing was his. The arrogance of calling w

el

have a ni

sat up, clutching the blanke

amused. "So. You had dinner with your boss. The man you ran to af

what you're

u leave. I saw you meet him. I know what he is. What I don't know is wh

. "It's none of your busi

ched you. I know you pulled away. I know you think you 'handled it,' but men like him don't res

e. Couldn't think.

ment on his end, the rustle of fabric, the creak of leather. "Tomo

won

I'll explain, in detail, my concerns about his management style. Perhaps I'll even mention our night together

ne wen

Her heart was hammering, her hands shaking, her mind

t hide. Couldn't build a

as tr