Page 6 of The Boss's Triplet Surprise

“Unfortunately not. My parents live in Madison, which isn’t too far, but it is a long drive for a casual weekend visit.”

“How long have you lived in Chicago?”

“Almost ten years now. I got a job at RMA right after graduation, and I’ve worked here ever since. I’m done with the machine if you’re ready.” Leah took her cup of coffee and stepped back to give Dan some space. “You’ve been here your whole career too, haven’t you?”

“I have. I always wanted nothing more than to follow in my father’s footsteps and build on the amazing legacy he created.”

“He must be very proud of you. RMA is really thriving under your leadership.” Leah felt her face turn red and cursed her light skin that showed every fleeting emotion. She didn’t want Dan to think she was buttering him up.

“Well, if it is thriving, it’s only thanks to people like you. Forenal is a really amazing drug. I think it’ll be one of our big earners next year.”

“And it’ll help a lot of people. I hope.” Leah felt the need to add that. She didn’t like the thought of her drug being used to coerce desperate, hopeful parents into giving up their hard-earned savings — even though, as an employee of a major pharmaceutical company, she knew that was most likely what her creations would be used for.

“Of course. That’s the most important.” Dan took his cup of coffee from the machine and checked his phone. “Just a few more minutes.”

They strolled back to the office. When they arrived, though, Dan didn’t sit. Instead, he strode to the large picture window that looked out over the city of Chicago and the lake far below. After a moment’s hesitation, Leah joined him. Even though this was a work meeting, even though they’d spent all afternoon working on the presentation, even though they seemed to have very different ideas about the importance of her drug, Leah felt her heart flutter slightly at Dan’s nearness.

But then she saw his face. The corners of his mouth were tugged down, and his gray-blue eyes were steely. He looked… sad.

Leah looked away, feeling as though she’d intruded on a private moment. She had no business wondering why Dan was sad. At the end of the day, he was just her boss. They were just colleagues. Yet Leah didn’t like to see anyone unhappy. Perhaps she could do something about it.

“It’s a really beautiful day, isn’t it?” she said.

Dan glanced at her. He looked a little startled. Then his gaze settled back on the landscape outside and he nodded, slowly. “It is.”

“I love Chicago in the springtime,” Leah pressed on. “The cherry blossoms are so beautiful. And the lake always looks lighter somehow. It feels like a time for new beginnings, you know?”

“It kind of does.” Dan shot her a smile. “Are you always this cheery?”

Leah laughed. “I try to be. Though it isn’t always easy.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a smile on your face.” Dan tilted his head. “Not even when I see you working after the end of business hours, which usually puts everyone in a bad mood.”

Leah’s heart fluttered slightly at the thought that Dan had noticed her, but she set it aside.

“Well, we have our jobs to do. Some days I’ll be staying late to retest contaminated lab samples or compare trial data — whether I’m happy about it or not. I might as well make the best of it.”

“That’s a good attitude.”

“Well, it seems you feel the same way. You seem pretty cheery about being in the office on a sunny Saturday yourself.”

“There are certain benefits to being here.” Dan shot her an unreadable look. “And the company helps.”

Leah felt her cheeks warm. It seemed like Dan was talking about her. “And I’m sure it also helps that Forenal is such a knockout,” Leah suggested.

Dan chuckled. “True. We have a winner there. Anyway, lunch is almost here. Shall we get back to work while we eat, since we’ve had a break now?”

Leah wasn’t quite ready for the conversation to end, but she nodded. “Okay.”

The food arrived a few minutes later. Dan had ordered far too much for the two of them, which became apparent as soon as the delivery man carried three full bags of food up to the office.

“What’s this?” Leah asked with a laugh. “Are you feeding an army?”

“When I work on the weekend, I like to order a little extra food for the employees who are here. You can pick what you’d like, and I’ll distribute the rest.”

Leah’s heart warmed. It was such a considerate thing to do, and it raised her opinion of Dan even more. He really was an interesting guy. He seemed mostly interested in Forenal for the money, yet he also made sure to feed his employees. She’d noticed that takeout sometimes arrived in the kitchenette when she was working weekends, but she never would have guessed that profit-oriented Dan was responsible.

“How sweet.” She reached for the bag and selected a box of kung pao tofu and a small paper container of rice. Dan took a box of noodles and selected some spring rolls to share. Then he excused himself to take the rest of the food to the communal kitchen.

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