Page 14 of Dear Grumpy Boss

“If he shows, let me know.” Luca cracked his knuckles. “I haven’t scrapped with anyone in too long. I’m feeling bloodthirsty.”

Elliot got up from the leg press and wiped the machine down with his towel. “He won’t show. He didn’t work for her when he had her, so I’m certain flying across the country is too much effort now that she’s gone.”

I climbed onto a treadmill. Luca hopped on the one beside me. While Elliot stayed mostly quiet during his workout, Luca liked to engage. I was somewhere in the middle, at least with them. I had no desire or need to have small talk with anyone else. Fortunately the few other people who were here at the same time kept to themselves.

“Yesterday was Elise’s first day, right?” Luca asked.

I narrowed my eyes at him. He pushed buttons on the display of his treadmill.

“Why are you asking so many questions about her?”

He turned, his brow pinched. “Why shouldn’t I? She’s Elliot’s sister. I care about him, so by extension, I care about her. Don’t you?”

“Of course.”

He tilted his head. “Then tell me how the fuck her first day was, West. It’s not a trick question, I can promise you that.”

I increased the speed on my treadmill. “I saw her once. She seemed to be settling in.”

“Seemed to be? Did you ask?”

“I asked her how her day was going when I saw her in the cafeteria.”

“Hmmm.”

My eyes slid sideways. “What does that sound mean?”

“I don’t know.” His feet clapped on the belt of his machine. “If she were working for me, I’d like to think I’d take greater pains to welcome her, not leave our meeting to a chance run-in at lunchtime.”

“Interesting information. Fortunately for Elise, she doesn’t work for you.”

Luca’s family owned motorcycles. And by that, I meant they owned the company that manufactured the top-selling motorcycle brand in the US. One day, when his father stepped down, he’d take over the business. He rued that day, since it meant he’d have to grow up, be responsible, actually show up at the office daily. For a man who was chaos incarnate, his future was a nightmare for him, so I imagined even attempting to work for him would be equally hellish.

“No doubt. But don’t you think you should reach out? Maybe invite her to lunch with you? If you had a sister, Elliot would do that.”

We both glanced at Elliot, who’d moved on to leg curls, and laughed. The idea of Elliot Levy going out of his way for anyone but us or Elise was unimaginable. He barely acknowledged I had a brother. I couldn’t see him ever taking Miles to lunch.

“Elise…doesn’t like me.”

I felt him looking at me but kept my eyes straight ahead as I jogged.

“Elise Levy? Elliot’s sweet little sister with the big dimple in her right cheek?”

“Left.” I cleared my throat.

“Yeah, left cheek.” He reached over and backhanded my bicep. “There’s no way she doesn’t like you. Not that you’re immensely likable. You could do with lightening up every once in a while.”

“Thank you,” I intoned.

“No problem.” He slapped me again. “What I’m saying is, Elise is a nice girl who’s been through the wringer. If she wasn't overly friendly yesterday, it’s probably your fault, not hers. Maybe you could tone down the big, bad, grumpy CEO vibe and invite her to lunch like a guy who’s known her since she was a kid.”

I smacked the control panel, raising my incline. “I’ll consider it.”

“Consider it then do it. Elliot will appreciate her having another big brother looking out for his sister.”

He would. That was true. If he thought he could get away with bodyguards surrounding his sister, they would have been hired years ago. That wasn’t a role I was willing to play. The days when I looked at her as my little sister and she looked back at me like I could do no wrong were long, long gone.

But she was my employee.

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