Mixing Business With Pleasure (Love Conquers All Book 2) by Cheryl Persons

been something he could have done to stop him.  It was too late to worry about that; he would work on it Monday.
    ___________________
    Tiffany was thinking about Bruce and how the night had ended; she knew he would go to the boss’ and there was nothing she could do about that.  She almost didn’t notice Matt enter the room and hand her a cup of coffee.  “Thank you,” she mumbled as she slowly began to drink it.
    “Do you have any aspirin?” 
    She looked up at him and smiled.  It was nice that he wanted to protect her, but she didn’t need his help.  She didn’t even know why she asked him to stay.  “You don’t have to baby me.”
    “I’m not babying you.”  He looked hurt in that instant and she knew he was only trying to help.  “I just figured you could us e it; that’s all.”
    “It’s in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom down the hall.”  He hurried to retrieve the medicine and she took another drink of coffee.  “Thank you!”  He handed her the water and pills and she quickly took the medicine.  She went back to enjoying the hot liquid before she looked at him.  “He’s going to tell on Monday; I just thought you should know.”
    “What?”  Matt’s expression was with lack of concern as he just drank intently his coffee.
    “Bruce, he is going to tell the board members on Monday about us.”
    Matt shook his head.  “There is no us and they will see that.  I’m not concerned and you shouldn’t be either.”
    Tiffany chuckled.  “Yeah, well I’m sure Bruce will be pretty convincing.  I didn’t give him what he wanted; he isn’t going to let that fly.”
    “Tiffany, I like you.  You’re a great woman to hang around and I enjoy your company.  What about you?”
    She looked away at his prying eyes.  “If it was only that simple.  I told you that we couldn’t be friends, which nothing good would come of that.”
    “Something good has come of it.”
    She was confused, “What do you mean?”
    “ I get to spend time with you; that’s all that matters.”  She felt her heart skip a beat and her head spin; she didn’t think it was from the alcohol.  “If they have to look into our relationship to see that the only thing is a mutual friendship, then let them.  I’m not worried about what they will find.”
    “I guess I’m just apprehensive.   I didn’t want you to get pulled into this.  It all stemmed from that stupid wedding invitation.  I’m sorry that I invited you.”
    “Tiffany, I’m not.  I had a great time and I got to know you better.  We can’t worry about every little thing.  You called me today; that should tell you something.”
    “Yeah, it tells me that I’m not bright.  I should have called a cab; every little thing we do could be thought up as more than just friendship.”
    “Tiffany, who cares?   It’s a stupid rule anyway; maybe they’ll look into it and decide that this isn’t the ice ages and people should be allowed to be with anyone they choose.“
    She didn’t expect that to happen, but it was a nice thought.  He grabbed the two empty mugs and took them out to the kitchen.  She waited for him to come back into the living room, but it was longer than she expected.  “What are you doing out there?”
    He finally came back in and smiled.  “Just thinking.”
    “About?”
    “Many things, but I guess most importantly is that I’m not going to allow Bruce to ruin your life.  If he gets to the board and they’re foolish enough to listen, we’ll make them see otherwise.  If we can’t; then I will walk away.”
    “Walk away from our friendship?”
    He laughed.  “No; I will walk away from my job.  I have found a job before and I can do it again.”
    “I wouldn’t want you to sacrifice your career; not for me.”
    “I wouldn’t want to work there, knowing that I helped to get you fired.  So, this would be the only way.”
    Tiffany covered her face and within moments she felt his arm around her