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

Callie barely had time to recover from Ralph's approach when she noticed movement from the side. Kyle was walking toward her, his expression unreadable yet determined. The way he moved, purposeful but not aggressive, sent a shiver down her spine. It was as if he had already decided something, and she wasn't sure she was ready to hear it.

The moment he reached her, he didn't hesitate. "Callie," he said, his voice firm yet familiar, "can we talk? Just the two of us. Maybe over dinner tonight?"

She opened her mouth to respond—whether to refuse or question his sudden boldness, she wasn't sure—but before she could, she felt another presence even closer now. Her awareness of Ralph lingering somewhere nearby made her stomach tighten. The last thing she needed was an audience for this moment.

Kyle, however, seemed unfazed. His focus remained entirely on Callie, as if expecting her to agree without question. There was something about his unwavering gaze that unsettled her. It was as though he had stripped away the usual barriers between them, leaving only raw honesty in its place.

She swallowed, her mind racing. "Kyle... I don't know if that's a good idea."

He exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I know I messed up. I just—there are things I need to say. Things I should have said a long time ago. Please, just one dinner. No expectations, no pressure. Just a conversation."

Callie hesitated. A part of her wanted to shut him down, to walk away and pretend like he hadn't just cracked open the door she had worked so hard to keep sealed. But another part of her, the part that still remembered the way he used to make her laugh, the way he used to know exactly what she needed to hear when she was having a bad day—that part of her wasn't so sure.

Kyle must have sensed her uncertainty because he pressed on. "I'll be waiting at the Sunset Deck, 7 PM. If you come, great. If not... I'll understand."

There was no bitterness in his tone, no attempt to guilt her. Just quiet resolve. And that, more than anything, made it harder to brush him off.

With that, he stepped back, giving her space. He sent her one last look before turning away, leaving Callie standing there, her heart pounding with uncertainty.

She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The air between them all grew thick with unspoken tension, lingering even after he had disappeared from sight.

Her mind was already at war with itself. Did she dare show up?

Chapter 27 - Unfinished Business