Page 67 of Boss's Baby Surprise

As she started going over the specifics of working at Brennus Enterprises, my head started to fill up and all I could do was nod and hope I remembered all the details.

“How are you feeling about everything?” She checked in with me as we rode the elevator up to the IT department on the fifth floor. “Are you hanging in there? Okay?”

“It’s a bit overwhelming. I hope there isn’t a quiz at the end.”

She laughed. “You’re going to do just fine here. You aren’t from this area originally, are you?” she asked.

I shook my head. “I recently moved here from Chicago.”

“How do you like it so far?” she asked.

“So far, it’s a lot warmer.”

“That’s just because it’s winter. In the summer, you’ll wish it was warmer. Do you have any questions for me so far?”

I let out a sigh and tried to think of anything reasonable and pertinent to ask. “I feel like a blank whiteboard and you’re just beginning to leave notes on it. I’m sure I will have questions later, but right now, I’m just trying to keep up.”

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.

“Now, don’t let the folks in this department intimidate you. They can be a little surly and cranky, but they keep our computers up and running, so we all put up with it.”

I followed her through another maze of cubicles.

“I thought of something I want to ask. I know this isn’t necessarily job related,” I started.

She looked over her shoulder at me. “Sure, what can I help you with?”

“Do you know a really good place for pizza?” I asked.

“We have a place called Windy City Pizza, and they have that deep dish style from Chicago. I can’t tell you how it compares since I’ve never actually had Chicago style pizza in Chicago.”

“That sounds like a good place to start,” I confessed. “I’ll let you know how it is in the morning. I promised my son we’d have pizza for dinner, and so far, all we’ve found are the chain stores that aren’t exactly the best, are they?”

32

KYLE

Iwas still aggravated that Alayna had quit on me. I let that anger supersede the pain I felt over having lost Clarissa. I spent the next few days wandering around Chicago, unable to get comfortable in my hotel room. I wanted my home, and I wanted my family.

However, the only thing I was guaranteed was that once the short-term rental was ended, I would be able to move back into my own place. I had no idea if I would ever be able to get Clarissa and our little family back.

I didn’t know what to do with myself, unable to focus and feeling lost in the city I considered my home territory.

It wasn’t until James came back to the office after his brief holiday that I felt like I was making any headway in my life. I stood in his new office, impressed with how completed it appeared. In contrast, my office looked like it hadn’t been moved into yet.

“I’m surprised you didn’t ask me where Alayna went,” he said after I barged in and barely said hello before I demanded he tell me if he knew where Clarissa had relocated to.

“I know where Alayna lives,” I said. “She reminded me of it constantly the two years I managed to keep her in Hong Kong. If I needed to track her down, I know where to look. I doubt I would be welcome if I showed up on her doorstep.”

James chuckled. “She did seem pretty ticked off with you when she let me know she was done working for you. I even tried to hire her for myself, but she said would have nothing to do with this firm anymore.”

“She certainly didn’t hold back when she was letting me know that she quit. Alayna hadn’t told me that Clarissa left, and I need to find her. All I have is her old address in Oak Park and a blocked phone number.”

“I can’t give you her new address because I don’t have it. I don’t even think she has a new job yet, but I can tell you she’s in Seattle,” he said.

“Seattle?” I asked.

“I’ll call you when I get there,” I said as I turned and walked out of his office as soon as he confirmed. I went straight to my hotel. I packed up my bags and headed for the airport.

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