Page 5 of Broken Boss

What caught my attention wasn’t just her obvious beauty, but the way she held herself. I could tell, even through the glass, she was actually listening intently to the person who was speaking. There was no hint of ego or self-importance. No looking down on those in the room with her.

When I glanced at the others, they looked just as surprised as I was in that moment. And happily so, probably. When Grant retired, everyone was terrified of which senior associate would take over his cases.

I can’t claim a hand in hiring Autumn. That was all HR. But all week I found myself in her orbit, like gravity was pulling us together.

She was just around every corner.

I could practically feel her striding down the halls.

And her scent…sweet. Vanilla. Warm.

I’d eat her if I could. Having her in my mouth isn’t off the table yet, except…

I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. Which is why every time I’ve almost run into her this week, I dipped around a corner, shut myself in my office, and once even ended up in a supply closet. All to avoid her.

Or rather, my obsession with her.

Mel clears the table, Jenson checks on Milo, who seems to be a bit fussy, and I grab the pie and begin cutting into it. Right away, I zone out. When she comes back into the room, Mel calls me out on it.

“What is up with you tonight, Chris? You’re clearly somewhere else.”

My eyes snap up to her.

“Oh. Just…reminiscing.”

Which isn’t exactly untrue. Jenson comes back into the room, and from the curious look on his face, he overheard our short conversation.

“About what?”

I dish out slices of pie, letting my lips lift into a grin. “You really want to know?”

Mel rolls her eyes and Jenson prompts me.

“Alright. I was thinking about my high school girlfriend, Flora.”

That catches their attention. Probably because they were high school sweethearts. Mel leans in eagerly, wanting to hear more.

“That’s a pretty name. Did you run into her recently, or…”

“No. Just…someone who reminded me of her.”

Is that it? Is that why I’m so focused on Autumn? Flora was petite with black hair and caramel eyes. Autumn is definitely not petite. She’s all curves, hips, and a lush mouth that she pouts in disapproval—and Flora was almost meek. Autumn has a presence to her.

When the pair press for more information, I fill them in quickly on the background, some of which Jenson already knows. We’ve had a year of catching up, but there’s still so much we don’t know about each other as half brothers.

“I asked Flora out when we were sophomores. She was cute and we were both in film club. The second I saw her, I thought I was going to marry her, but when we graduated, I got into law school in California.”

Mel tilts her head in confusion, and I admit the disappointing part of this story. “I hadn’t told her I applied. Flora got into Brown. She wanted to be an anthropologist. But you know, Nate and I didn’t grow up with money, and I got an almost full ride in California. So…I had to do what was right for Mom and Nate. I needed to get my degree as quickly and cheaply as I could. Flora was mad, understandably, and we didn’t last through the summer. In August, I flew out to California. When I came back home, she was gone.”

I shrug off the past as Mel stares at me with empathy and Jenson sighs. If anyone in this room gets it, it’s him. He has a similar story—needing to support his mom after our dad passed, who hadn’t done much to set the family up for success.

“So if someone in your life reminds you of Flora…does that mean you’re going to stop being a playboy?”

Rolling my eyes, I answer Mel. “Not if I can help it. I’m not a lovesick teenager anymore, Mel, but seeing someone who reminds you of your past always makes you think. You know?”

Jenson and Mel share a look across the table.

“This is just…odd for you, Chris. You seem very serious and in your head tonight.” Jenson sounds genuinely worried, and I blink in surprise.

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