Page 34 of Claiming My Cocky Boss

Instead, I just lingered for a moment, watching her. She didn’t need to know I was there, hovering like a ghost. I just needed to see her, to remind myself that she was strong and that she’d get through this, even if I hadn’t been the best friend she needed.

When the last visitor left and the volunteers started cleaning up, I hugged Tessa goodbye and quietly slipped away, heading home eager to enjoy the comfort of my dog. The guilt still weighed heavily on me, but there was nothing I could do to fix it right now.

By the time I got home, the emotional exhaustion had settled deep in my bones. I dropped my purse on the floor and kickedoff my shoes, the familiar creak of the floorboards under my feet doing little to comfort me. The cabin felt too quiet, too empty, like the silence was pressing in on me from all sides.

Daisy padded over, her golden fur brushing against my legs as she nudged me with her nose. I smiled weakly, grateful for her presence. At least I wasn’t completely alone.

I flopped down on the couch, pulling Daisy up with me. She curled into my lap, her warm body a balm against the chaos swirling in my head. I stroked her soft ears, my fingers moving mindlessly as I stared out the window, watching the last rays of sunlight disappear over the horizon.

Everything felt like it was shifting beneath my feet, and I wasn’t sure how to find solid ground again. Liam’s big reveal, Tessa’s layoff, the park... it was all too much. I’d been so caught up in my own little world, worrying about how I felt and what Liam’s secrets meant for me, that I hadn’t stopped to think about what anyone else was going through.

How selfish could I be?

Tessa had been right there, smiling, helping, doing what she always did, and I’d barely noticed the cracks in her façade. And Liam... I’d been so quick to judge him, so focused on how his wealth and status had thrown me off balance, that I hadn’t stopped to think that maybe he was just as unsure as I was. Perhaps he was being honest when he explained how he was trying to protect me from the whirlwind that came with his life.

Perhaps fate, or some higher power, had brought him into my life for a reason. And maybe it was time for me to stop pushing back, to stop trying to control everything, and just.... have faith. Faith that things would work out the way they were supposed to. Faith that Tessa would be okay, that Liam wasn’t out to hurt me, and that I didn’t have to have all the answers.

I wrapped my arms around Daisy, pulling her close as a tear slipped down my cheek. I wasn’t sure what the future held, butI knew one thing for certain—I needed to be more present. For Tessa. For Liam. And for myself.

And that was the first step.

Finally, I wiped the tears away and took a deep breath. Thinking about Liam stirred up a whole mix of emotions I wasn’t ready to deal with. The idea of reaching out to him felt too raw, too soon. I needed space to sort out what I was feeling, to figure out what I even wanted to say to him. I wasn’t ready for that conversation. Not yet.

But I didn’t want to completely shut him out, either.

With Daisy still curled up beside me, I reached for my laptop and opened it. The screen flickered to life, and I found myself staring at the folder labeled “Edgewater Accounts.” I had been reviewing his financials, sorting through bank accounts and transactions as part of the work he’d entrusted me with. It was ironic how the numbers, the facts of his billionaire life, didn’t feel as overwhelming now as they had when I’d first started. The work had become familiar, almost grounding.

I opened the latest spreadsheet, scanning the columns, letting its methodical nature pull me in. This work was something I understood—something I could control, unlike my feelings or the chaos of the past few days. As I worked through the accounts, it felt like I was close to him in a way that didn’t require words or direct contact.

It gave me a sense of connection without the pressure of a conversation I wasn’t ready for. Perhaps when the time came, I’d know what to say. But for now, this was how I could be present—this was my way of staying close to Liam without needing to reach out just yet.

Seventeen

Liam

Landing in Dallas felt both familiar and strange. The private jet rolled to a smooth stop on the tarmac, and as I peered out the window at the sprawling skyline, a mix of emotions tugged at me. This city had been my playground, my battlefield, and my home for years, but now it felt distant like I was visiting rather than returning.

The door to the jet opened with a soft hiss, and the rush of warm Dallas air greeted me as I carefully descended the steps. The doctor had confirmed that I no longer needed to wear my boot. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the strange weight that had settled in my chest since leaving Cedar Cove. My life used to revolve around this—private jets, billion-dollar deals, and corporate power moves. But now, as I stepped onto the tarmac, everything felt… empty.

A black SUV waited near the jet, one of the perks of being in this world. The driver nodded politely as I climbed in, but I was already pulling out my phone, sending a quick message to Carla that I was heading into the office. It wasn’t planned—I hadn’twanted to make a scene, but after everything she’d said about the morale of my employees, about the productivity slipping, I needed to see for myself.

The drive was quick, and soon enough, the sleek lines of the Edgewater building loomed into view. Stepping out of the car and walking into the lobby, I braced myself for... something. Maybe a confirmation of Carla’s concerns—people goofing off, taking their positions for granted while I was gone. But as I stepped onto the elevator and rode it up to the top floor, something else settled in—anticipation.

When the doors opened, the sight that greeted me was the opposite of what I’d expected. Everyone was at their desks, heads down, working. Phones were ringing, conversations were happening, but everything seemed normal. No one was slacking off or lounging around. It wasn’t chaotic or falling apart. In fact, it was running smoother than I thought.

A couple of people looked up, their eyes widening as they saw me. The ripple effect was immediate—a few whispered conversations started, and I could feel the energy shift in the room. It wasn’t every day that the boss dropped in unexpectedly after months of being MIA.

“Mr. Archer” Carla’s voice broke through the chatter, and I turned to see her hurrying toward me. “I wasn’t expecting you today.”

I gave her a nod. “Yeah, thought I’d surprise everyone. How’s it going?”

Carla smiled, though there was a hint of something behind her eyes—relief, maybe? “Everything’s going well. Productivity’s picked up since our last conversation. I’ve been keeping a close eye on things.”

I nodded, feeling that familiar weight of responsibility settle back on my shoulders. As much as I wanted to believe everything was fine, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something still wasn’tright. Maybe it was just my paranoia, or maybe it was because I hadn’t yet caught the embezzler.

“Good to hear,” I said, glancing around. “I’ll be in my office for a bit, need to catch up on some things. Let me know if anything comes up.”

Carla nodded and quickly excused herself as I headed toward my corner office. It had been a while since I’d stepped foot in there. The large windows still offered that breathtaking view of the city, but now, it felt like a view of a life I was no longer fully a part of. I sat behind my desk, staring at the paperwork that had already been quickly arranged for me.

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