Page 2 of The Boss's Triplet Surprise

“I’m glad to hear it. Of course, the problem is that I’m not familiar with your presentation or the specifics of the drug. Would you have some time to go over it with me?”

“Yes, of course. I’d be happy to.”

“Are you available tomorrow?”

The next day was a Saturday.

“I’ll be honest,” Leah said, “I’m free anytime to work on this. I know how important Forenal can be. Plus, it isn’t like I have a family to get home to.” She gave a self-deprecating chuckle.

“Neither do I,” Dan admitted. “Although I still feel bad about asking you to work on a Saturday.”

Leah waved off his concerns. “It’s fine. Like I said, I know how important this is.”

“Let’s meet in the office around noon?” Dan suggested. “I’ll treat you to a nice takeout lunch while we work, to make up for asking you to come in on a weekend.”

“That really isn’t necessary.”

“I insist.” Dan flashed his confident smile. Leah had seen that smile win over countless employees and investors — and it seemed to be working on her, too.

“All right, then. See you tomorrow.”

“See you then. Enjoy your evening.”

“Thanks. You too.”

They both got to their feet, and Dan offered her another firm handshake. Leah tried not to notice how good his hand felt around hers. They were colleagues. Not only that, but Dan was her boss. They were about to work very closely together for at least a week, and it was important that she put her career ahead of a little crush.

She nodded once more to Dan, then made her way out of the office. She noticed that he lingered in the lobby after she’d left and wondered what he was doing there. Most of RMA’s employees had gone home already, yet it seemed like he didn’t want to leave.

Well, some mysteries were better left at that.

Leah headed out into the warm spring air, already moving on to thoughts of the evening ahead — and a few remaining questions about her future.

CHAPTER 2

DAN

Dan hesitated in the lobby for a few minutes after the beautiful redhead had left. It wasn’t that he had any business hanging around RMA after the work day had ended, but he wasn’t quite ready to leave yet.

Dan was visiting his father, the venerable Richard Marley, founder of RMA Pharmaceuticals, this evening. Now in his seventies, Richard was really slowing down. He was growing more interested in tending his garden and spending time with his wife, Dan’s mother, than in the ins and outs of running RMA. Yet he still refused to fully hand over the reins to Dan, despite years of dropped hints that Dan was ready.

Dan loved his father dearly, but it was becoming frustrating that Richard didn’t seem to trust him with the company. Dan had proven himself time and time again, yet his father didn’t seem to notice.

Dan let out his breath in a long sigh. There was no use dwelling or delaying. He needed to leave now if he was going to make it to his parents’ house on time for dinner.

As Dan exited the building and walked to his car, he purposely put all thoughts of RMA Pharmaceuticals and his father out of his mind. Instead, surprisingly, he found himself thinking about Leah Adams.

He’d met the researcher several times before, mostly in meetings with other research-and-development leaders. Each time, he’d been impressed with her. It wasn’t just that she was beautiful — although she certainly was, with that curly auburn hair that framed her face, her green eyes that always reminded Dan of a forest, and her attractive curves under her lab coat. No, what always impressed Dan most was how thoughtful she was. Leah rarely spoke in meetings, but when she did, it was almost always with a creative, insightful idea that solved whatever issue they were discussing.

When his marketing team had suggested that Dan join Leah at the conference to announce Forenal, he’d been more than happy to say yes. Not only was the conference an opportunity to promote a winning drug; it was a chance to spend more time with Leah.

Not that Dan would be interested in a relationship with her, or with anyone. He was single and liked it. Staying a bachelor and dedicating all his energies to RMA Pharmaceuticals was the only way he could make sure the company continued breaking records and dominating the market — and prove to his father that he was capable of inheriting the business.

Dan shook his head. He was back to the topic he’d been trying to avoid. In another attempt at distraction, he turned on the radio to a talk station and listened to the hosts discussing the rising price of eggs. It wasn’t exactly fascinating material, but it was a good diversion.

When Dan arrived at his parents’ house twenty minutes later, he went straight inside. The delicious scent of his mother’s lasagna wafted out of the kitchen and Dan smiled.

“Is that you, Dan?” Richard’s voice rang out through the house.

---