Going to work on Monday is strange. It feels more like a date than a job. I don't think that's normal. I'm pretty sure that's not how I'm supposed to feel, but I'm just so excited to see Peter.

I haven't seen him since he dropped the food off at my place on Friday, and that just seems like too long for people who are newly dating. He didn't text me the following day to check on me. I haven't had any contact with him since Friday, and I miss him horribly.

My face lights up as I see him standing outside of the building talking to his business partner when I arrive. As I step out of my car, I realize that I'm not sure how to act. Even though we're officially a couple, I'm not sure if he wants it to be blatantly obvious at work.

No. I know Peter well enough to realize that he's a professional person when at work. So I should be professional about things as well. Perhaps pretend that we're not dating, though it will be hard not to look at him longingly throughout the day knowing that he's finally mine. That eventually, things will get intimate between us. That I'll feel his lips on my lips and his body against my body and his...Oh my. I blush just thinking about it. Thinking about unwrapping him, seeing every inch of his naked flesh. Touching his hot, throbbing...

“Good morning, Miss Stroop.” Peter smiles at me.

I can't hide the heat that's reached my face. No doubt I'm blushing a deep shade of pink.

“Good morning,” I mutter as I duck past him into the building.

I can feel his eyes following me. My heartbeat slams in my chest as I think about what an idiot I am. He finally asked me out, and I can't even face him. Hopefully, this isn't how it will always be between us. I need to get my shit together—to learn how to function like a normal human being when I'm around him. Otherwise, this isn't going to work.

“Welcome back,” Becky tells me as I take my seat.

“Thanks.” I practically ignore her as I turn on my computer monitor, still thinking about Peter dreamily. He looked so handsome in a double-breasted vest. Everything he wears is sexy, but I bet he'll be even sexier sans clothing.

“You missed a lot while you were gone,” she informs me.

“Was there an update to our work procedures?” I face her finally, trying to get my mind out of the gutter.

“No. But I heard there's been an update to Peter's relationship status.” She beams at me.

The butterflies in my stomach flutter around from the news. Is Peter really so invested in me that he let the cat out of the bag already? Just thinking about it makes me love him even more.

“Wow,” I say, because I don't know what else to say; I'm so shocked.

“I know. Word has it, it's one of his employees.” She bounces in her seat.

It's strange to see her so happy for me. Maybe she's not as big of a bitch as I thought.

“I wonder who it is?” I muse playfully.

Becky sighs contentedly. “I never knew that so much could change from one night of drinking. That a girl could get everything she wanted and more.”

“I know, right?” I giggle, thinking about how slapping Peter had magically made him want to date me.

“Dating him is going to be amazing. He's so wealthy. I can't wait to see all of the places that he takes me.”

“Wait. What?” The mood of the conversation immediately shifts as I realize she's not talking about me.

She draws her hand up to her mouth, pretending like what she just said slipped. “Oops. No one is supposed to know. But I figured it would be okay to tell you.”

“What are you talking about?” I knit my brow, confused.

“You know that night that Peter and I went out together?”

“Yeah,” I reply hesitantly.

“Well.” She leans in to whisper to me. “I confessed my love to him.”

I narrow my eyes. “And?”

“And now we're a couple,” she chirps.

“Except for,” I make a circle with my finger in the air, “you can't be dating him, because I am.”

“What?” Now she's the one who looks shocked.

“Yeah. He asked me out on Friday. I wasn't sick. I was hungover. That's why he wasn't at work. He was bringing me food.” I spell everything out for her.

Becky blinks at me a few times before bursting out into laughter. I cross my arms over my chest and wait for her to finish. “What? Oh, you're serious?”

“As a heart attack.” I nod.

I'm not about to let her get under my skin or make me believe the bullshit she's spewing. I'm already aware that she's delusional. Her telling me that she went out on a date with Caleb when he said otherwise proves that.

As if on queue, Peter walks up to us.

“How are you feeling?” he asks me.

“Better now that I've had the weekend to recover. Thanks.” I smile at him before shooting a cutting glance at Becky. “And thanks for bringing me food on Friday.”

“Did I get you something you liked? I wasn't sure.”

“Yeah. It was all good,” I lie.

In truth, I just drank the soup that he brought me from Panera Bread and ended up giving the rest of the food to Caleb, who ended up feeding a lot of it to Max. I don't have the heart to tell Peter that, though. And I know that Caleb won't tell him either.

“Good. I'm glad you feel better,” he says before walking off.

I turn to Becky with a forced smile. “You need to give up on him. He's mine, and I'm not about to let him go.”

She gasps at my boldness, and we don't speak for the rest of the day, which is just fine by me.

At lunch time, I start heading out to my car. Normally, I eat lunch by myself, not wanting to be bothered by anyone. Peter's voice stops me, though.

“Miss Stroop.”

I turn to see him jogging to catch up to me.

“Peter. I mean, Mister Burgett,” I quickly correct myself.

He looks around to see if anyone is listening. “It's fine. Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to go out to the movies tonight.”

My heart skips a beat as I realize he's asking me on a date. A real date. Not playing sports. Not hanging out at a bar with Caleb. This is going to be an actual date.

“Yes. Yes, I'd love to.” My face lights up, and I clap my hands together two seconds before realizing I look a bit too overzealous.

Peter laughs at me, which makes me feel less silly. Seeing him smile at anything I do fills me with warmth. He's so handsome when he smiles. I want to make him smile all the time. Every day. For the rest of his life.

“Awesome.” He chuckles a final time before glancing out into the parking lot. “Would you like to go to lunch?”

“Are you sure it's okay?” Now I'm the one looking around. “I wasn't sure if you wanted it to get out that we're dating.”

“People talk here,” he acknowledges. “I'm sure half of the building already knows.”

I frown slightly. “Actually, I think half of the building probably thinks you're dating Becky.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Because that's what she's telling people.”

He snorts. “I don't know about that girl.”

My voice grows small as I subtly probe him for more information, “She said she told you that she loves you.”

Amusement fills his expression. “She was drunk. I didn't think she actually meant it.”

“She probably didn't mean it.” I hug myself, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. “What exactly happened between you two that night?”

“Absolutely nothing that you need to concern yourself with.” There's a sternness to his voice that says I shouldn't question him further. I can't help it, though.

“So there's nothing...”

“Going on between us?” he finishes my sentence. “No. Absolutely nothing. Now are you hungry or not? We only get thirty minutes for lunch because I'm an asshole boss, and time's ticking.”

I nod, only feeling a little better. “Yeah. Let's go.”