Abigail’s words confirmed Roman’s suspicions that she wasn’t the type to move quickly with a man she just met. It looked like he was going to have to make a long-term investment if he wanted any sort of payout from her. Well, so be it. He didn’t have anything better to do with his time anyway. His days had become pretty routine as of late. He woke up, went to work, came home, got drunk off his ass, went to bed, repeat. Weekends were the only time things got mixed up. Maybe it would be fun to start dating again.

Almost as if on cue, Roman’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked the caller ID, then rolled his eyes. It was his boss again. “Sorry, Abby, I’ve gotta take this,” he shrugged and gave her an apologetic smile. “I promise I’ll just be a moment.” He stepped away from Abigail and Jose to answer the call, “What’s up, boss man?”

[i][b]‘What’s up?’[/b][/i] the man echoed, barely suppressing his rage. [i][b]That’s all you have to say to me right now? ‘What’s up?’ You’re two hours late for work, dumbass! Where have you been?[/b][/i]

“My bad,” Roman said dismissively. “Look, I’m busy right now, but I’ll be there as soon as I can, okay?”

[i][b]You’re on thin ice, Sousa,[/b][/i] the voice growled. [i][b]If you’re not here in fifteen minutes, you’re fired.[/b][/i]

“Uh huh,” Roman drawled. He knew it was all talk. He was too valuable to the company to be let go over one late day—every few days. “Look, I’ll get there when I get there. Love you, miss you, see you soon, boss. Bye.” He hung up the phone before the other man had a chance to reply.

“Well, I hate to cut such a wonderful date short, but duty calls in the form of a small, angry man,” Roman sighed as he turned back to Abigail. “I tell you what: I’d like to pick up where we left off sometime.” He held up the cell phone that was still in his hand from the talk with his boss and winked at her. “Just put your number in here, and I’ll give you a call.”