Page 21 of Dear Grumpy Boss

His hands squeezed my arms. “What the hell? Does Westie know about this?”

I breathed out a laugh. “Of course he does.”

Miles let go of one of my arms to smack his forehead but quickly returned to hold me again. “What am I even saying? Westie knows all. He just forgot to mention one of my best girls was going to be working on the same floor as me. That troublemaker. He probably wanted me to return from Paris to a surprise.”

The elevator doors slid open. Miles slipped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me out with him. If he hadn’t, I probably would have stayed all day, riding up and down between the floors aimlessly.

“What brought you back to Colorado, Ellie?”

“It’s Elise or Lise,” I answered rotely.

“Oh, right. Sorry. It’ll take me some time to get that through my thick skull.”

My mouth quivered. “Please try.”

“I will. Scout’s honor. Now, answer the question. Tell me everything that’s happened to you since high school.”

When we neared my desk, I managed to duck under his arm and spin away from him, putting the desk between us. His jaw dropped. I supposed Ihadmoved quickly.

“This is me.” I curled my fingers around the edge of the desk. “I have a lot to do, so…”

His dark-blond brow winged. “Unfortunately for both of us, my desk is all the way across the space.” He wagged a finger at me. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you dodging my questions, Elise.”

His eyes rounded on my name, making sure I noticed he’d gotten it right that time.

Sucking in a breath, I decided to answer him now rather than revisit this conversation later. Hopefully, he’d move on to someone more interesting.

“I moved back to be closer to Elliot. Plus, my job in Chicago wasn’t what I wanted to be doing. So, here I am. There isn’t much to tell about my post–high school years, honestly. College, work, that kind of thing. Probably the same as you.”

He winked at me. “I have a feeling you’re holding out on me. Let’s have lunch and catch up.”

What was it with these Aldrich men and insisting on having lunch with me? Jeez.

“Actually, I have plans. We’ll catch up another time.”

He shoveled his fingers through his overgrown hair. “I’m holding you to that, Lisie.” He cocked his head. “Actually, I like Lisie better than Ellie. It’s going to stick. I feel it.”

Miles wandered away without a goodbye, and I collapsed into my chair. So much for my Monday morning optimism. Working with one Aldrich brother had been trying. Two? I wasn’t certain it was going to be possible.

Chapter Six

Elise

AfteroneweekatAndes, my lunch dates with Rebecca and Simon had become an unspoken given. I’d slotted in with them easily. They were gossips but not malicious, which made them fun to be around.

My phone vibrated as we were finishing up. I checked, finding a text from Lani.

Patrick caught me as I was walking into the building this morning. He looks terrible. I laughed in his face then told him I had no idea who Elise was, never heard of her, and he should probably seek help. Did I do good?

Tears sprung to my eyes, and I quickly blinked them back. I didn’t even know what they were about. Obviously, I wasn’t over the way my relationship had ended. Did I care that Patrick looked terrible? A little. But the spiteful monster that apparently lived inside me enjoyed my brother and friends stonewalling him so completely.

I texted her back.

You did amazing, friend. Thank you for having my back, as always.

I pushed thoughts of Chicago aside as we rode the elevator back up to seven. Simon and I split off from Rebecca, leaving her at reception. Nearing my desk, I almost tripped over my feet at the sight of Weston Aldrich working at the long collaboration table nearby.

“Oh yeah, he likes to work on all the floors,” Simon murmured. “He’s a man of the people, you know?”

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