Rei8

At twenty-nine, Callie Morgan had everything she thought she wanted—a steady career, a devoted fiancé, and a perfectly planned future. She and Kyle had spent nearly a decade building their love story, with their upcoming wedding meant to be the grand finale. But just as she prepared to step into forever, an unexpected event shatters everything, leaving Callie to pick up the pieces of a future that no longer exists.

Desperate for a fresh start, she escapes to a quiet town, hoping to find clarity in a life far removed from the one she left behind. What she doesn’t expect is to cross paths with an arrogant, frustratingly handsome stranger who challenges her at every turn. Their undeniable chemistry is as maddening as it is electric—until she discovers the twist. The man who’s been getting under her skin? He’s her new boss.

Callie begins to question everything she once believed about love and happiness. Sometimes, the most unexpected detours lead exactly where we’re meant to be.

Will Callie find the courage to embrace the unknown, or will she cling to the familiar, even when it no longer fits?

My Stranger Boss

The rain drizzled lightly as Callie sat on the porch, her fingers wrapped around a warm cup of coffee. It had become her morning ritual—sit outside, listen to the gentle crash of the waves, and try to piece herself back together.

But today, the sound of her phone vibrating against the wooden table broke the fragile peace she had found.

Her heart clenched when she saw the name on the screen.

Her hands trembled as she hesitated, staring at the glowing letters. She had ignored his texts before, but this was the first time he was calling.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she slid her finger across the screen and pressed the phone to her ear.

She didn't say anything at first. Let him speak.

"Callie…" His voice was quiet, almost hesitant. "I—I didn't know if you'd pick up."

She took a slow breath. "Neither did I."

A pause. Then, a deep sigh from his end. "I messed up," he admitted. "I know I did. And I don't expect you to forgive me, but I need you to know that it didn't mean anything. It was a mistake."

Callie let out a bitter laugh. "A mistake? Right. Because mistakes just happen, don't they?" She shook her head, gripping the cup tighter. "Kyle, you didn't just trip and fall into someone's bed. You chose this."

"That's not an excuse," she snapped, the anger she had buried deep bubbling to the surface. "I was here, waiting for you, planning our life together while you were with her. And you weren't even going to tell me, were you?"

That was all the answer she needed.

Her chest ached, but she steadied her voice. "Why did you call, Kyle? To ease your guilt? To see if I'd take you back?"

"…I miss you," he said softly. "I miss us."

Callie closed her eyes. Once, those words would have shattered her. Once, she would have given anything to hear him say them.

Now, they only felt like empty echoes of a past she no longer belonged to.

"I miss who I thought we were," she whispered. "But I don't miss this."

Kyle exhaled sharply, as if realizing he had lost her for good. "So this is it?"

Callie blinked away the sting of tears and nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Yeah. This is it."

She ended the call before he could say anything else, setting the phone down with a shaky breath.

But she had survived the worst part already.

Chapter 6- The Call and the Stranger