All Chapters of My Boss, My Nextdoor Neighbor And Me: Chapter 31 - Chapter 39

SHAYLE I had a rough day. Like, really rough. The kind of day where every tiny thing felt like it was created to piss me off. Maybe it was because of the way it started but it was really terrible.By the time the clock hit five, my brain had checked out hours ago. Luckily, Lucien was out of meetings and didn’t have any last-minute fires for me to put out, so I actually got to leave early for once. Miracles really did exist.Laureen was already leaving when we ran into each other and I told her I was about to leave too. So we decided to leave together. She decided to follow me back to my office so I can get my things.We barely talked on our way to the elevator, mostly because my head was pounding from the long day and I just wanted silence. When we reached the hallway leading to my office, she waved and said she’d wait for me after grabbing something from the vending machine.I nodded and walked to my office. When I was done packing my stuff, I turned to close my door, and almost

SHAYLEI was taken aback by his words. “You’re going to tell people I’m your girlfriend? Why would you do that?” My voice came out quieter than I intended, and I could already feel my face heat up.Kieran’s lips curved into a faint grin. “So men would stay the hell away from you. It’s enough that every single one of them will have their eyes glued to you tonight.”I laughed nervously. “Whatever. You know you’re the one who’s going to get all the attention, not me.”He chuckled lowly, shaking his head. “Am I hearing you mock me or are you really that unaware of how gorgeous you look tonight?”I froze for a second, trying to form a comeback, but nothing came out. My throat went dry, and all I could think of was the way his voice dipped when he said gorgeous. How is he so good with that smooth mouth of his. I quickly turned away.“Let’s just go,” I muttered, brushing past him.We walked down the hall together, our steps echoing softly. As we stepped outside, he opened the car door

SHAYLE I think I forgot how to breathe in that small moment. Everything around me blurred for a second, and my pulse kicked against my ribs like it was trying to run away from my chest. But I didn’t stop walking. I forced myself to keep moving until I finally reached where they stood, pretending I didn’t notice the stares or the fact that Lucien’s eyes had been on me a second too long.I turned quickly toward the field, pretending to focus on the ongoing game. Two teams were already swinging rackets across the tennis court, the sound of the ball bouncing was rhythmic. Tennis. God. I don’t think I’ve ever touched a racket in my life. There had to be something easier, right?Lauren’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Wait, are you the same Shayle who walked into the dressing room with me just now?”I turned toward her, trying not to look self-conscious. “Uh… yes?”She blinked, then dramatically placed a hand over her chest. “Since when the hell were you this hot? I mean, holy

SHAYLEWhen I opened my eyes, I started coughing so hard I thought my lungs were going to come out. Water spilled out of my mouth, warm and bitter, and my chest burned like I’d swallowed fire. My throat hurt and my whole body trembled as I tried to catch my breath.The first thing I saw when my vision cleared was Lucien. He was right in front of me, kneeling, drenched from head to toe. His hair was slicked back, sticking to his forehead, and his eyes were filled with something I’d never seen before. Fear. Pure fear.But just as quickly as it caught my attention, it was replaced by relief. His chest rose and fell fast as he stared at me, his expression softening like he’d just seen a ghost come back to life.Behind him, Lauren’s face was streaked with tears. Maddie looked like she’d just witnessed an alien abduction. Everyone else around us was frozen in shock, murmuring and panicking. Someone was yelling something about an ambulance.My ears rang, my head spun, and my lungs still f

SHAYLEI didn’t wait for him to circle around that smug logic of his. I spoke right away, my voice sharper.“You never specified that I had to win individually.”“And I never said you could win as a group either.”I folded my arms. “Then we’re both wrong, right?”He nodded slightly, his mouth curving just a little. “Yeah, we are. Which means you can’t leave. If you’re that desperate, find another way around it…or just wait till the three weeks are over.”I stared at him, disbelief coursing through me. “Wow. I never knew you could be this petty.”He didn’t even look affected. He turned toward the glass wall, straightened his cuffs like I hadn’t just spoken. “The trip was impromptu,” he muttered, picking up his phone from the desk. “You don’t need to bring anything. Whatever you’ll need will be provided there. Meet me outside in fifteen minutes.”And just like that, he walked out.I stood there, staring at the door, completely taken aback by everything.Fifteen minutes ago, I was rea