"Thanks for reaching out,

" he said, tossing in a 'please' for good measure., But to me, it sounded like a boss giving orders, not a colleague asking for a favor., And it definitely wasn't about work. Just yesterday, he'd quizzed me over some young hotshot sending me flowers, and now here he was, bumping into me again., Was this going to turn into another interrogation?, That's when it hit me: dating is a minefield., If there was nothing between Ernest and me, I could've easily brushed off Jimmy's advances. No muss, no fuss., But now? Now I had to deal with Ernest., Sigh. No man is ever truly laid-back, are they?, With everyone in the office watching, I couldn't exactly say no. So, I headed to Ernest's office., His office was close by, modestly furnished but crammed with gadgets beyond a standard desk, chair, and computer setup. Stuff that looked like it could easily rake in a salary of a cool three million a year., As I was taking it all in, the door shut behind me, making me jump. I turned around, putting on my best professional face.

"Mr. Collins!

", I'd seen his title on the door on my way in: Chief Engineer., The title definitely fit the salary.,

"Have you had breakfast?

" Ernest asked, his gaze piercing., Every time I locked eyes with him, my heart would race, particularly after the awkwardness of last night. I found it hard to look him directly in the eye., I wandered over to his tech setup, trying to seem casual.

"Yeah, I had breakfast.

",

"Weren't you supposed to take the day off? What brings you to the office?

" Ernest's question stopped me in my tracks., I faced him, crossing a line.

"Mr. Collins, that's overstepping.

", Ernest's jaw tightened, and I bit my lip slightly.

"We might be together, but that doesn't give you the right to interfere with my job, even if you mean well.

" He paused, then nodded.

"Got it. Won't happen again.

", Fair enough., I couldn't really argue with that, so I shifted the topic to his office setup.

"You've got quite the high-tech lair here.

", He didn't respond, and since it was work hours, I didn't push it. I gave a small smile.

"Well, Mr. Collins, I'll leave you to it. I should get back to my desk.

"

"Licia,

" he called out as I started to leave.,

"Mr. Collins,

" I echoed, turning back.

"Let's keep it professional at the office. And... I'd rather not have everyone know about us.

", Ernest frowned, but I quickly explained,

"It's not that I'm ashamed or interested in someone else. I just want to avoid any gossip or distractions at work.

", I laid it all out to avoid any confusion.,

"Okay!

" He agreed more readily than I expected.,

"I'll get going then,

" I said, heading for the door., But Ernest stopped me again.

"What did you call me earlier?

", Oh., I paused, remembering the teasing nickname I'd used when Jimmy was dragged away.,

"Uh, that... was just a joke,

" I explained.,

"You think I'm old?

" Ernest asked, catching me off guard. That wasn't my intention at all!, I'd jokingly called him 'silver fox,' and here he was, taking it seriously., Seems like even tough guys can be sensitive. No sense of humor., I shook my head, chuckling.

"No, you're not old. Not at all.

",

"Be honest!

" Ernest caught the teasing tone, his voice stern., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.