Impress Me: An Age-Gap Romance by Chelsea Keane

Author:Chelsea Keane [Keane, Chelsea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Matteo

Oh, I’m an asshole, and there’s no helping it. It’s been well over two weeks since I mauled Allyson in my apartment, and every day since has been more agonizing than the last. I’ve been awkward, nervous, and short with her every time we’ve spoken. So much so others have taken notice and often given me reprimanding glares. Worse, I haven’t been able to focus on my work. Most of my thoughts are about Allyson, even those that don’t start off about her.

Stalking her social pages doesn’t help, but it’s the only time I can look at her the way I want without guilt. I swear it’s like she knows I’m lurking too. Her posts grow more seductive, revealing, and tortuous to my mental health daily. How does she find the time to lay out at the pool this often?

Her workplace attire isn’t much better. It’s like she doesn’t own anything loose-fitting or unappealing. Every day it’s a pencil skirt, cleavage-revealing top, and high heels I want to hook around my damn neck. Leaving the confines of my office hasn’t been an option. I’m constantly hard, irritable, and behind on assignments.

I started getting calls last week from CEOs at other companies curious about the turnaround success of Gallo’s social media sites. Of course, I made sure to give credit where it was due, Allyson. She tripled the watch sales with her personalized branding campaign, and I overpaid her for her efforts. I overcompensated, but the results were worth every penny. Her departure from my company is imminent as she was never meant to stay on indefinitely. However, I’ve avoided having the conversation with her.

Hell, I’ve evaded her altogether, relying on email to communicate. At this point, I’m sure she thinks she’s done something wrong. Yeah, I’m an asshole.

Fingers snap in front of my face as I blink away from the Cuban sandwich that threw me into my trance. Across the table, George frowns at me.

“Have you been listening?”

I shake my head. “Sorry.”

He tosses his napkin on the table. “What’s your problem, Lo? You’ve been spinning for a while now. I’ve waited for you to come to me, but here we are.”

Has Allyson noticed? I drag my hand down my face. “I’m fine. Just work stuff.”

“Is the company in trouble?”

As my silent partner, it’s normal for George to worry. Still, I make it a point to never allow him to stress over the business since his biggest priority has to remain football. “No, it’s better than ever. Sales are up. Social media metrics are booming. Work on the women’s line is coming along. We’re solid.”

George drums his fingers against the tabletop. “Then why the hell do you have a beard?”

I touch the hair on my face and realize it’s more than stubble. Huh, that got away from me. “Trying something new.”

“Right. And what’s up with you and Allyson?” My eyebrows shoot into my hairline. “Shane mentioned there’s been tension in the office.”

And this is why you don’t work with friends. I crumple the napkin and glance out the window beside me.

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