“He actually complimented your selfie?” Betty’s eyebrows shot up as she slid a fresh cocktail across the bar to me. Her eyes were gleaming with mischief.

I sighed. Then I leaned my head into my hands. “I know. And I can’t figure it out, Betty. I mean, why would Sebastian, my workaholic, devilish, no-nonsense boss, say anything about my selfie?”

Betty smirked as she propped her chin on her hand. “Because he’s into you, obviously.”

I nearly spat out my drink. “Oh, come on! This is Sebastian James we’re talking about. The man probably has his coffee scheduled down to the second. There’s no way he has time for something as frivolous as… liking his secretary.”

“Oh, Diane!” She laughed while tossing her hair back. “You really are clueless sometimes. Maybe he’s got a soft spot under that serious exterior. And you’re just the one to bring it out. Ever thought of that?”

I shook my head, suppressing a smile. “Betty, Sebastian James is the kind of guy who’s only in love with quarterly reports and the bottom line. He barely knows how to be human… let alone romantic.”

“Maybe,” Betty replied. Then she shrugged her shoulders. “But it’s always the serious ones that surprise you. And trust me. That look he gave you in the meeting? That wasn’t just about a misplaced selfie. There’s something else there.”

I rolled my eyes at her. “I’m telling you, he probably found it unprofessional and just wanted to make a point. That’s all. He’s not into me. End of story.”

Before Betty could push the subject further, my phone buzzed on the bar. The caller ID made me groan. “Oh, not again.”

“Jackson?” she asked with her eyes narrowing.

“Yep,” I muttered, already regretting picking up his call. But I hadn’t even touched the phone before Betty snatched it from my hand.

“Let me handle this.” She pressed the phone to her ear. And without waiting for Jackson to get a word in, she snapped, “Listen here, Jackson. Diane has moved on. Stop bothering her. Or I’ll make sure you’re blocked from every contact list she has. Got it?”

I watched, stunned and a bit amused, as she lowered the phone, hanging up with a decisive tap.

“You didn’t have to do that, you know.”

Betty looked at me, exasperated. “Diane, you should’ve done that ages ago. Jackson is a disaster. He’s stingy, selfish, and he has this weird idea that he can still cling to you even though you’ve broken up. He’s not worth your energy.”

I nodded then sighed. “I just don’t get it. When we were together, he barely had time for me. He’d vanish for days, chasing parties and his latest obsessions. But now? Now he’s clingier than ever.”

Betty glanced around, then leaned closer to me. “I think I know why.”

I frowned. “Oh? And what grand theory do you have this time?”

Betty tilted her head. A small smirk was playing on her lips. “I overheard him at a party a while back. He was talking about how much he wanted to get into my father’s company. Apparently, he thinks being connected to you would help him with that.”

The pieces clicked together in my mind, until I realized what she was implying. My stomach churned at the thought. “So… he’s only been hanging around because he thinks I’m his ticket into a job?”

“Bingo!” Betty clicked her tongue, then crossed her arms. “He’s the type to see everything and everyone as a stepping stone. And it sounds like he’s hoping he can get close to me through you.”

I shook my head. I could taste the disgust at the tip of my tongue. “Of course. I should’ve known. I mean… he’s been so different since the breakup. But to stoop that low?”

“Uh-huh!” Betty took a sip of her drink. “And that’s why you need to get rid of him. For good this time.”

I sighed when I realized how manipulative Jackson was. “Believe me. I want to. But every time I think I’ve gotten rid of him, he finds some excuse to worm his way back in.”

Betty grinned. Subsequently, her eyes lit up mischievously. “I have an idea.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh no. What are you scheming this time?”

She shrugged, feigning innocence. “Simple. You get a new boyfriend. Someone who’ll make it crystal clear to Jackson that you’ve moved on and that he doesn’t have a chance. It’s the only way he’ll back off.”

I laughed as I shook my head. “Betty, it’s not that easy. I don’t exactly have guys lining up at my door… especially with the hours I work.”

She waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, please. We can handle that part. There are plenty of guys who’d be willing to help out for a little while. And if you’re really stuck, I might know a few people who owe me a favor.”

My laughter faded as her words sank in.

A fake boyfriend…

It sounded absurd. But maybe, it could actually work. Jackson would hate it. And with Betty’s help, he might finally get the message.

“What do you say?” Betty asked as she leaned forward. Excitement was written all over her face. “One quick little setup… and boom! Jackson’s out of the picture.”

I hesitated while running through the idea in my head. It was unconventional, sure. But maybe it was time to be a little unconventional. Maybe it was time to finally shake things up. To do something Jackson wouldn’t expect.

A smile tugged at my lips. “Alright, I’m in. But if this goes wrong, I’m holding you fully responsible.”

Betty clinked her glass against mine, grinning wide. “You won’t regret it. Besides, it’ll be fun, I promise. And who knows? Maybe your ‘fake’ boyfriend won’t be so fake after all…”

Before I could process her words, my phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen. My heart skipped a beat when I read the caller ID.

Mr. James.

“Good morning, Mr. James,” I greeted my boss, barely able to lift my gaze to meet his.

After yesterday’s selfie debacle, I felt like crawling under a rock every time I thought about facing him. But work was work. And there I was, standing in front of his desk, ready to report the day’s schedule as usual.

What I wasn’t ready for was the smile.

It was just a small curve of his lips, but on Sebastian James, the king of deadpan stares and stone-cold expressions, it was downright shocking. I blinked, convinced I was seeing things.

I mean, this was Sebastian. The man who made even the simplest “good morning” sound like a business transaction.

And now he was… smiling?

“Morning, Diane.”

I stumbled over my words, completely thrown. “Uhm, right. S-So… uh, you have a meeting at nine, a call with the shareholders at eleven, and lunch at noon.”

His gaze softened. And I could have sworn I saw the faintest glimmer of warmth in his eyes. “Thank you, Diane. Actually, speaking of lunch, would you like to join me today?”

My heart did an unexpected flip. “Lunch? With you?”

His smile widened slightly. “Yes, with me. Just lunch.”

I swallowed, trying to keep my composure. “Oh… uh… s-sure. That… that would be fine.”

“Are you still worried about yesterday’s little mishap?” he asked. I could see the amusement dancing in his eyes.

I could feel my cheeks heat up again. “I just… I wanted to apologize again. It was really unprofessional. And I didn’t mean to—”

He waved a hand, cutting me off. “No need to apologize. In fact, it was… refreshing.” Then he gazed at me like I was a specimen he was supposed to study. “How’s it going with your boyfriend?”

The question felt like a bucket of cold water. I blinked multiple times, trying to understand why on earth my love life was suddenly a topic of conversation. “Actually, we broke up a few months ago.”

He just slightly nodded. “I see. Well, in that case… see you at lunch?”

I managed a small nod, still dazed, as I watched him turn back to his work. He looked completely unfazed.

Meanwhile, my mind was still spinning, trying to figure out why he’d been asking about Jackson in the first place. And that smile. It felt like I’d entered some alternate universe.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. My thoughts kept on drifting back to the lunch invitation, his sudden interest in my relationship status, and his unexpected friendliness.

Part of me wondered if he was playing some sort of elaborate prank. But every time I saw him, he seemed as calm and collected as ever.

As I left the office that evening, my phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. Betty’s name popped up on the screen.

“Hey, girl,” I answered. I was grateful for the distraction she made.

“Diane! Hope you’re ready because I’ve set you up on a blind date tonight!” she announced. I could feel her excitement vibrating through the phone.

I groaned. “Betty, really? I just got over the last dating fiasco. I’m not sure I’m ready to dive back in.”

“Nonsense! You’re getting dressed up. And you’re going. It’s at that cute Italian place down the street. I even had them reserve the nicest table. Trust me. You’ll thank me later.”

Giving up, I sighed. “Fine. I’ll go. But if this ends in disaster, you owe me a week of coffee deliveries.”

She laughed. “Deal. Now go get gorgeous!”

An hour later, I found myself walking into the restaurant, dressed in a simple but flattering dress, with my hair done up and a dash of makeup that felt a little more daring than usual.

I spotted the reserved table at the back. I felt a bit nervous but I was trying to channel the confidence Betty always assured me I had.

But as I reached the table, my heart stopped.

Sitting there, glancing at his watch and looking just as impeccably put together as always, was none other than Sebastian James.

My stomach churned. And before I could stop myself, I blurted, “I’m sorry. I think I must have the wrong table.”

He looked up. Then a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Again. “Actually, I believe you’re right on time.”

I froze, unable to tear my eyes away from him. “You… you’re my blind date?”

He stood, gesturing for me to sit down, but I couldn’t move.

How did he end up here?

And did Betty… she couldn’t have known, could she?

“I didn’t realize…” I stammered, trying to process the surreal situation.

Sebastian reached out. He gently took my wrist to stop me from bolting. “Diane, please stay.”

The warmth of his hand on my wrist held me in place. Suddenly, I felt myself sink into the moment. This was happening.

I was on a blind date… with my boss.