Page 14 of Taming the Boss

Not that I’d even applied yet. Or remitted my resume.

God, I needed to update it. I hadn’t even added my latest position working at The Mason Jar. I’d picked up extra hours since Emmaline had been out on maternity leave, and now that she’d had her little girl, I was enjoying filling in here and there as needed as an extra event coordinator for Mason. But none of those skills would apply to being a nanny that I could tell.

Time to update my resume and send it off. I’d second-guessed myself enough for one day.

Biting my lip, I opened my laptop to do some quick resume updates. After I finished, I sent it off with a dramatic whooshing sound.

Now I’d better get my ass moving so I wasn’t late to my actual job.

Chapter 3

My first couple of hours at Brooks Greenery passed uneventfully. I was beginning to consider clocking out for lunch when I realized love was afoot. Forget supposition at this point.

I’d never played matchmaker before, but I was tempted to start now.

Maybe that was what my career was meant to be. Forget being a nanny. I hadn’t found love myself, but hey, those who couldn’t do, could help others, right?

The owners of the two flower shops in town clearly had something sparking between them, and without a push, they’d never make it happen. They were too busy creating sparks of another variety.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Bess, proprietress of A Flower A Day, squabbled with Mr. Brooks about some nonsense that I couldn’t quite follow. Something about hybrid roses.

But he had gone quiet and speculative in direct contrast with the louder she became. Which was loud.

Considering we actually had a couple of customers in the store, browsing the many arrangements we had on display for both summertime and the Fourth of July holiday in a couple weeks, you would think that maybe they would want to take their spat into the back room.

But no.

Mr. Brooks actually continued to help customers even as Bess railed at him. He just held up a finger to tell her to wait and paused to speak to whomever needed his help next. I was here too, but obviously, the part-time help didn’t have his expertise with flowers.

However, when it came to rocking a wreath with streamers and little star picks and a giant festive bow, I was your girl.

Until a newcomer in town strolled into the shop. Somehow even the bell didn’t work as usual when he opened the door.

As if his dark energy stifled the sound.

He didn’t look my way at first. His gaze settled on the counter and his voice lashed out at Mr. Brooks. “I need an arrangement.”

No politeness at all. Not a please or thank you. Just a demand he expected to be immediately fulfilled.

Mr. Brooks didn’t jump to help him, since he was already assisting another customer. So, I waded into the fray.

Later, I’d always wonder why I had. Yes, it was my job, but I was big on following my gut, and this new guy gave off plenty of foreboding vibes.

Even in the height of summer, he wore a dark three-piece suit that screamed money, as did the expensive gold watch dominating his wrist and his fancy wingtip shoes.

I cleared my throat and his gaze snapped to mine. His icy dark blue eyes pinned me in place. “Can I help you?” My voice didn’t shake. I actually sounded confident, at least to my own ears.

“Who are you?”

“Madison Masterson.” I didn’t use my nickname, though I usually did with everyone. He hadn’t yet earned the right to know it. “Can I help you?” I repeated.

“I can handle this, Maddie,” Mr. Brooks interjected.

“No, Maddie can help me.” The newcomer’s voice warmed slightly on the nickname I hadn’t given him. He stepped toward me, his shoes echoing on the tile floor, and I held my ground, not wanting to give him an inch.

He seemed like the kind of man you couldn’t take your eyes off for a second.

“What do you need help with?” I asked sharply as I moved to the counter to grab a pad and pencil.

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