More Than My Boss

Double Date

Katie had been practically vibrating all week.

“Double date night!” she’d declared, practically bouncing around the apartment. “You’re going to love this place—I even set you up with someone!”

I had tried to protest, but she wouldn’t hear it. “Relax, Abby. It’ll be fun. Ethan and I are coming too, so it’s safe.”

Safe. Right.

By the time we arrived at the cozy bistro downtown, the city lights glimmering on wet streets, I was already regretting agreeing. The table was small, warm, and intimate, forcing us all to sit closer than I liked.

Katie practically glowed, sitting beside Ethan, her arm looping through his naturally. “Abby,” she said, gesturing across the table, “this is Ryan. He’s… charming. You’ll see.”

Ryan smiled, all sharp jawline and easy confidence, sliding into the seat across from Katie. His eyes lingered on me politely but with curiosity.

“Hi,” I said softly, forcing a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Ethan sat beside Katie, glancing occasionally in my direction. My heart betrayed me, beating faster every time our eyes met. He said nothing, of course, keeping his distance… but the heat in his gaze was impossible to ignore.

Katie chattered endlessly, bouncing between stories with Ethan laughing at every joke. Ryan leaned in slightly, polite and attentive, but nothing that made me flustered—at least not yet.

As the first round of appetizers arrived, Ryan smiled and said, “So… Katie’s told me a little about you. I hear you’re the one keeping all this madness organized?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “I… I guess.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened subtly, and I noticed the way he shifted slightly, just enough to draw my attention. He didn’t say a word, but I felt the weight of him across the table, watching, protective in a way that made my stomach twist.

Ryan chuckled lightly. “I’m impressed. That’s… a lot to manage.”

I forced a laugh, focusing on the plate in front of me. “Someone has to keep the chaos under control.”

Katie, oblivious, was happily sipping her wine, completely unaware of the tension crackling across the table. Ethan’s attention flicked back to her, but I could feel it—just beneath the surface—like an electric current running between us.

Later, as dessert was brought out, Ryan leaned slightly closer, joking about trying Katie’s favorite chocolate mousse first.

I smiled politely, enjoying the playful banter, but my thoughts kept drifting to Ethan. Every time he glanced at me, every small shift in his posture, I felt it—a pull I couldn’t explain.

Katie leaned back, satisfied with her handiwork. “See? I told you it’d be fun,” she said brightly, unaware of the storm brewing quietly between her boyfriend and her best friend.

Ethan gave me a faint, almost imperceptible look across the table. No words, just a quiet intensity that left me breathless.

Because for a few stolen moments, even in the middle of laughter, wine glasses, and Katie’s excitement, it had been just him and me.