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Rose’s dad, who usually kept mum about his daughter’s personal affair also chimed in. “Why don’t you invite Joe for dinner, Rose? We’ve heard so many things about him. Your mother and I would love to meet him.”
    Rose startled. “No. I can’t do that. We’re not that close, yet. Besides, he’s busy and his schedule is very erratic.”
    “A man has to rest and eats sometimes! Invite him over and let him meet the girls,” her dad pressed.
    “That’s a great idea, Rose,” her mom chimed in. “I’ll cook a lamb roast and make that cheesecake your father has been asking for.”
    “Maybe. If he’s not busy, I’ll ask.” Rose glanced at her wristwatch. “Look at the time. I’m going to be late if I delay any longer. I see you girls, later. Mom. Dad.” Rose collected her purse and shoes and trotted to the front door. “Be good at school, Cassidy!”
    “She’s an angel. Don’t you worry,” said her mom.
    “Okay, bye.” Rose closed the door behind her and exhaled a deep breath. As she briskly walked to the bus stop, she couldn’t stop thinking about how nice it would be if she could really date Joe.
    She knew that Joe was out of her reach. But a girl could dream, couldn’t she?
     
    * * *
     
    Joe was late today. He bustled in the office when Rose was having a lunch break in the kitchenette. He casually said “Hi,” as he grabbed some mineral water from the fridge. His eyes zeroed on the bowl of salad she was having. “Yogurt and salad again for lunch? Don’t you get bored having the same stuff every day?” he noted.
    That was when Rose saw Joe sported a cut on his upper left eyebrow and it seemed it hadn’t been treated. “Joe!” she jumped up from her seat. “What happened?”
    He blinked innocently before realizing what she meant. “This? Oh, nothing. I got into a scuffle earlier. Hazard of the job.”
    “Joe!” Rose immediately fussed. “Has it been disinfected? It looks like it needs stitches!”
    He touched the wound gently with his fingertips. “It’s fine, Rose. You’re making it into a big deal. Believe it or not, I heal faster than other people.”
    “Still. If it isn’t properly cared for, it’s going to fester. Let me look at it. I think I have a bandage in my purse,”   she protested.
    Unexpectedly, a smile broke out on his face and her heart skipped a beat. “Thank you, Rose, that’s so sweet of you. I haven’t had anyone worry about me in a long time. But I’m fine. It’s not a big deal.”
    “But—“
    “I’m okay, Rose. Really.”
    Rose watched him hopelessly.
    She was sure that he was more than capable of avoiding danger but she hoped that Joe would take care of himself. He was too careless, in her opinion. Her thoughts drifted to the accounts she managed. She wondered what kind of people he got into scuffles with. All those big name clients. Or the subcontractors he hired. And Joe had never discussed any of it with her. It wasn’t in her job description to meddle with closed or active cases but she wished he would. She wanted to help him anyway she could. He was the best boss she’d ever had and she loved working for him.
    She had no real complaints, as the pay was absolutely phenomenal and he was a great boss. In fact, she estimated that after only a few months of working there, she would have enough money saved up to move out of her parents’ house. It was difficult sometimes, working strange hours and being so wrapped up in trying to decipher exactly what kinds of things Joe actually did. It was frustrating, having to relay coded messages back and forth between Joe and his associates—all of whom she addressed via pseudonyms. She was starting to wonder if her boss’s name was really, well, his name. Everything she typed up for him was run through encryption software, rendering it nearly indecipherable to outsiders.
    There was no way this was just a private eye outfit. There had to be something less mundane going on underneath its already