My Boss’s Secret Crush on Me

I overslept and ran into my slacking boss at the diner.

I was totally flustered, stumbling over myself, while he awkwardly tried to play it cool, rooted to the spot.

The next day, rumors spread around the office that we were secretly dating…

After pulling an all-nighter to meet my boss's insane deadline, I obviously overslept the next morning.

Since HR would dock my pay the same whether I was 10 minutes or an hour late, I figured I might as well treat my exhausted self to a proper breakfast.

I strolled into a local diner and ordered some hash browns and eggs without a care in the world.

The place was packed, but I managed to grab a table. I was in no hurry, just adding some hot sauce to my breakfast.

You know what they say - breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

While eating, I casually glanced around the restaurant.

Then I stopped mid-chew.

Wait, what?

That guy over there... with the movie star looks - somewhere between young Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt in his prime... why does he seem familiar?

Isn't that suspiciously like Lucas Miller, my taskmaster of a boss who kept me working until 3 AM?

I looked harder.

Oh no, it is him!

Just as I was about to make a run for it, nearly choking on my scalding hot soup, Lucas picked up his order number and glanced my way with a detached look.

That eye contact almost stopped my heart.

When Lucas spotted me, he actually flinched and whipped his head around.

His usually impeccable posture crumpled.

So there we were in this packed diner - me trying to become invisible, him practically squirming in his shoes.

But then I realized something odd.

Hold on a second.

Why is he the one acting all flustered?

His ears are even turning bright red!

It took me about one bite to figure out why.

This guy had just announced in our work group chat that he'd be visiting the factory alone this morning instead of coming to the office.

But here he is in sweatpants and slides getting breakfast?

Just rolled out of bed, didn't you, boss!

Playing hooky, aren't you, boss!

Caught red-handed, aren't you, boss!

So much for that perfect image, huh boss!

But I kept my schadenfreude to myself.

I pretended not to see Lucas, focusing on blowing on my steaming hot breakfast.

I snuck a peek as he stood there with his bowl of oatmeal, looking completely lost as he searched for a seat.

Please don't sit here, please don't sit here!

Dear merciful lord, I'll become a vegetarian for life, just hear my prayer.

Right then, the enthusiastic server called out to him.

"Hey handsome, there's a seat across from that pretty lady! Go grab it!"

"..."

My whole body tensed up. For once in my life, I wished "pretty lady" wasn't referring to me.

"What are you waiting for? Better hurry before someone