Second Chance Boyfriend

last night could become a problem. Who is he, anyway? I thought he looked sort of familiar.”
    I’m not telling her. Bad enough Owen is still flipping out over the fact I’m dating Drew. If that’s what I can call it.
    “He’s no one that you would know,” I lie, because practically everyone in this small town has heard his name mentioned once or twice.
    “Huh, well, if I were you, I’d keep him a secret,” Jen warns.
    Okay, now I’m getting irritated. “What’s up with Colin being so nosy about our personal life, anyway? It’s sort of weird, don’t you think? I mean he’s our boss. Isn’t he afraid of crossing a line?”
    “Trust me, he always stays far enough over the line to never do anything improper,” Jen says, rushing to his defense, which is no surprise. She lives with the guy, after all. Talk about improper, but who am I to judge? “He doesn’t want any trouble at work. There’s been drama at his restaurants in the past, especially with the people who’ve worked for him. He has a strict no-dating policy for his employees.”
    Oh, I bet he does, so why does Jen live with him?
    “And I’m sure you’re wondering what’s going on between us, but it’s nothing. Absolutely nothing,” Jen says as if she can read my mind. “He’s merely kind enough to offer me a place to stay while I get my crap together again.”
    “That’s very nice of him,” I say and she rolls her eyes.
    “I’m sure you think we’re having some sort of secret love affair.”
    “If you say you don’t, then you don’t.” I shrug.
    “Just…be careful, Fable. I like you. You’re the nicest person in this place because as you realize, we work with a bunch of bitches.” We both laugh over this. The other girls virtually ignore us. Luckily enough, it’s only T who’s working with us tonight and she’s too professional to be catty. “But Colin considers you on probation, so one wrong move and he might fire you.”
    “I won’t make any wrong moves,” I reassure her. No way can I afford to. I need this job.
    “Good.” Jen smiles and pats me on the arm. “I need to go check on my table.”
    I watch her leave, wondering if she harbors some sort of secret crush for Colin. If she does, I can’t really blame her. I may have feelings for Drew and think he’s the most gorgeous man on the planet, but there’s no denying how attractive Colin is. He’s charming too. I can see why girls might fall all over themselves just for a chance to get with him.
    For a brief, shining moment, I almost wanted to get with him myself. He has a powerful allure to him that’s hard to deny. But I’m too wrapped up in Drew to want any other guy.
    For once, I feel relatively secure over my feelings and relationship with Drew too. Relatively being the key word, since I don’t quite know what to call what’s happening between us.
    I need a definition. Tonight, we’re going to talk, Drew and I. I’m going to get to the bottom of this and figure out what’s happening between us. If he so much as tries to bolt the minute I confront him with this, I just might kick his ass.
    The last thirty minutes goes by quick and I’m thankful Drew doesn’t come into the restaurant to pick me up, as shallow and silly as that sounds. But Colin is lingering around the hostess desk, his gaze questioning when I tell him good night as I head toward the door. I’m prepared when he asks if I need a ride home and I offer him a breezy no-thanks as I push open the door and head out in the dark, briskly cold night.
    I spot Drew’s truck in the lot and I hurry to it, excitement coursing through me when I see him open the driver’s side door and climb out. He’s wearing jeans and a hooded sweatshirt and he looks amazing.
    “Hi,” he says when I approach, offering me a crooked smile. “Nice coat.”
    It’s the same stupid puffy coat I wore the night he asked me to be his pretend girlfriend. The one I hate with a mad passion but it’s the warmest coat I own and it’s an extra-cold night. I decided to forget being vain and went with the warmth factor when I slipped it on before I left for work.
    “Thanks. I hate it,” I say with a laugh, making him laugh too. “It’s so puffy. It makes me look like a little round ball.”
    “It definitely doesn’t make you look like a ball,” he says, his gaze doing a slow perusal of me. “Actually, you look like you have nothing on underneath it, which I know can’t be the case. Unless I’m dreaming