Getting Dumped Read Online Free Page B

about your well-being.”
    “So talk to me about that. Not my new co-workers. Especially not one I might want to date, since that’s apparently not off limits, right?”
    I saw him flinch at that, and almost regretted my words. Almost. I couldn’t tell from his expression if he was trying to come up with a convincing lie, or if he really, truly didn’t know what I was talking about.
    “Here,” he said, taking his hand off Blue Cat and flopping his briefcase open on my dining room table. I watched as he pulled out a thick manual and handed it to me. “Turn to the page on employee relations.”
    I did as he asked, locating it quickly in the table of contents.
    “What does it say?” he prompted.
    I studied the words, gritting my teeth. “Supervisors, managers, executives or anyone else in sensitive or influential positions may not become involved in a relationship with another employee beyond a platonic friendship.”
    I kept reading quietly to myself for a moment before closing the book and studying the cover. “August 2006?” I raised an eyebrow at him as I handed the packet back to him.
    “I didn’t realize the policy had been changed until you left me that voicemail earlier today. A lot of people didn’t know. The county slipped the change into the manual a few years ago without making a big deal of it, so everyone who’s been here awhile had no idea.”
    I gritted my teeth, wanting to stay mad, but also wanting to believe him. It was better than the alternative, which was accepting there must be some reason he didn’t want anyone to know he’d been dating me for three months.
    “I’m sorry, JJ,” he murmured, touching my arm. “I really didn’t know. And it’s not like anyone else in the administrative department has been running around having public flings. That place is like Survivor . The second people think you’re forming alliances, you’ve suddenly got a target on your back.”
    “Not at the landfill,” I pointed out. “They date openly there.”
    “I’m sure a lot of things are different at the landfill.” He didn’t sound pleased about that.
    I sighed. “Daniel—”
    “Let me make it up to you,” he said, stroking his hand along my arm and making the goose bumps rise. “How about I take you to dinner right now. To celebrate your new job?”
    “I have plans with my new co-workers.”
    He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, probably rethinking whatever snarky thing he’d been about to retort. Instead, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me.
    Kissed me really well, dammit. Hard to stay angry at a guy with lips like that.
    I kissed him back without thinking, a little annoyed with the traitorous way my body responded by twining my fingers behind his head and pressing my pelvis against him.
    “Mmm,” he murmured against my lips. “I really am sorry, JJ.”
    I pulled back, a little disappointed to end the kiss, but not wanting things to heat up until I got my head on straight.
    “It’s fine, Daniel,” I sighed. “I just – maybe we could cool things off a little? At least until I wrap my brain around this career switch and all the changes in my life right now. I’m just feeling a little—”
    “Confused? Smothered?”
    “Yes,” I agreed, not sure whether to be pleased at his perceptiveness or annoyed about the confusion and smothering.
    And admittedly, my blood was still pumping hot from that kiss. I wasn’t entirely sure cooling things off was the best idea, but now the idea was out there—
    “I understand,” Daniel said. “I can give you space and time if that’s what you need.”
    “It’s not a breakup,” I clarified. “Just a— a—”
    “I understand.”
    I wasn’t sure I did, but I at least felt comforted by his understanding.
    “Thank you,” I said. “I should probably get dressed now.”
    He gave my hand a squeeze, planted a kiss on my forehead, and gave Blue Cat one more scratch behind the ears.
    Then he grabbed his briefcase and