Misguided Heart Read Free Page B

actually my ex-boyfriend that’s getting married.” That’s awkward. “He and I have remained friends and somehow, I guess I got an invitation.”
    Surprise ran through his face for about half a second before he finally answered. “Oh, well that is awfully nice of him, I guess. I’m sorry, but isn’t that going to be a little weird for you?”
    I paused, more-or-less to answer this question for myself, but mainly more for him. “No, I don’t have feelings for him like that anymore. It has been forever since we were even an item. It should be a fun time for everyone.” At least I was hoping so.
    Not a moment too soon our food arrived. Our waitress yet again , completely ignored my presence and left before I could even ask for extra napkins. The conversation was dropped from there on out and I was relieved. Sloan had made a valiant effort to compensate for the awkward conversation by bringing up random things about work, and how well I had been doing lately. I hummed and hawed in all the right places and nodded accordingly. Lunch felt has though it had turned into the dinners I used to go to at my grandparent’s house, uncomfortable and miserable.
    I was beyond relieved to be leaving the restaurant when we were. I think we had stayed about an hour longer than we should have, but once the daylight hit our solemn faces , we immediately drew a smile and it was back to happiness and roses. I could tell it was early afternoon, the sun had parted the clouds and it was now a blistering one hundred and ten degrees, at least. I was instantly wishing for my car and its glorious air conditioning. I slipped my sunglasses down over my eyes and turned in Sloan’s direction, just as he was turning in mine. I couldn’t help but notice that even in my six-inch heels, he still managed to stand at least two almost three inches taller than me. This is a great feat for most men, given the fact that I stand at a concise five feet ten inches with bare feet. Amazing.
    “Shall we?” His smile lit up his entire face and it was immediately contagious as I could feel my face instantly light up as well.
    “We shall.” I scanned the busy intersection and slipped my foot off of the curb to head across the street when I felt his hand cradle mine.
    I wasn’t quite sure what to say, or even how to react to what had just happened. I was utterly confused for one thing. He was my boss, not only that, he was my boss’s son. How could this have even happened? One minute we were having an extremely uncomfortable lunch, and the next he was holding my hand. And who even holds hands anymore, I mean really?
    We reached the glass doors to the building a minute later and I dropped my hand from his almost instantly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a glimpse of confusion strike his face. I wasn’t sure what this whole thing meant, but I was damn sure not about to let the whole office think that I had just slept my way to the top either. I tapped the elevator button and watched as the arrow illuminated against my finger. Did I like this man? Could he even stand a chance in my mixed up world? Was I reading too far into the handholding? I shook the thoughts instantly out of my head, as it was all nonsense.
    We rode up the 20 stories in silence, well minus the crummy background Muzak version of Muskrat Love. I swear one day , I was going to come up with something better to play in elevators. The elevator binged and the doors opened a minute later and I felt like I could finally breathe again.
    “Thank you for lunch Mr. Holden.” I winked.
    “Please, call me Sloan, and you’re very welcome.” He winked back and we parted ways.
    I ran as fast as my six inch Louboutin’s would allow, all the way to my office. I threw my hand up to let Annie know that I didn’t want to be bothered and I closed my door behind me. I ran straight to my desk, flung off my heels and speed dialed my one and only friend whom I told absolutely everything to, Shelby Graves.
    And