He turned his attention back to me and asked, "So what does a beautiful young woman like yourself want to be a secretary for a web firm like ours? You must have a million other career options available to you."
Shaking my head, I smiled. "Not quite a million, but I like working for your company."
He continued to try to get to know me, and I continued to give him coy answers. I thought doing that would make him less interested in learning about me, but it only seemed to encourage him. Every other guy in New York knew how to take a hint, but not Josh.
Flagging down the server, he said, "Can we get a round of drinks for our table?"
Mark raised his eyebrow, but Josh shooed him away, "It's one beer man. Loosen up. Anyway, Emma, tell me more about yourself."
I pushed my plate of wing bones into the center of the table and shrugged. "There isn't that much to tell. I'm like your friend here. Quiet. Down-to-earth. Just your average kind of girl."
Josh smiled and shook his head. "Oh, I don't think anyone is like Mark. This guy is as uptight as they come. You don't look uptight to me, Emma."
If I didn't get out of that booth, I had a feeling he'd be sliding his hand up my thigh in the next few minutes. I needed to leave right now.
"Okay, well it was really wonderful having dinner with you two. I’m lucky to have such cool bosses,” I said, looking over at Mark. "But I better go. I do have things to do at home, so thanks, guys."
Literally, every word of that was the internationally accepted way to get away from people you didn't want to be around anymore. Unfortunately, Josh didn't seem to have ever learned that.
"You really have to go?" Josh asked, raising his glass. "We just got another around. Stay for this one, at least."
"I really can't. I'm sorry. But I'll see you at work tomorrow. Thank you again," I said as sweetly as I could without sounding fake.
"If you must, I'll walk you out. Mark, stay here and watch all this, will you? I want to have one more beer before we go, and we need to talk about the Boston meeting a little more."
As Josh chugged down the rest of his beer, I sat there stunned looking at Mark, who seemed like he was about to reach over the table and smack the hell out of his partner. There was nothing either of us could do. I knew it made Mark uncomfortable, but he just nodded and cringed.
"Good night, Emma. Be safe out there."
"Thank you, Mr. Tanchen."
Josh eased out of the booth as he said, "He has you calling him, Mr. Tanchen? Damn, dude. That's some funny shit right there."
Following him, I stood up and gave Mark a smile I hoped he knew wasn't genuine. I didn't want to leave with Josh. I wanted to go back to Mark's apartment and be with him since we hadn't been together in days.
Josh and I walked outside, and once we were on the sidewalk, I stepped away from him. "Thank you again for a lovely evening, sir."
"There you go again. Sir. Mr. Tanchen. They must have really taught you respect in that family of yours, huh?"
"Yes, I suppose they did. Anyway, thanks again."
"I'll see you at work tomorrow," he said as I shuffled my purse from one shoulder to the other, practically ignoring him.
Then he lowered his head and surprised me by kissing me softly on the lips. "It was great getting to know you, Emma. I look forward to finding out more about you while I'm in town."
I stood there on the sidewalk stunned by his kiss as people passed by on their way into the restaurant. My boss had kissed me, and he wasn't even the boss I liked.
When I finally got my bearings, I barely got three steps away from the building before my phone vibrated. I pulled it out of my purse and saw a message from Mark.
Did he just kiss you?
I looked in through the window and saw him staring at me while Josh flirted with the waitress nearby. Mark's expression said he wanted to kill his partner.
Quickly, I typed a message back.
It's okay. It was nothing. I miss you.
He sent a message right back.