Page 26 of One Big Little Secret

“Smokeshow.”

“And you’re no hag, of course. You’d make a lovely couple. But I wonder, maybe if you just walked in one day, would it be enough? I bet he’d notice you. Surely you can—”

“Oh, Lemmy, Lemmy. I can’t believe this,” she complains. “I’ve beensucha good friend to you. I gave you this job and everything, and now you wanna dip on me when I ask for a teensy little favor?”

Yes.

Hell yes, you entitled frenemy brat.

If you were so desperate to snag Patton Rory, maybe you could’ve tried harder to hit on him atyourriverboat party years ago or gottenyourselfthis job.

It’s eating me alive, along with a hundred other things I can never say to her.

She’d never speak to me again if I did, and she’d absolutely find some new way to make my life a living hell.

Sometimes, I think I wouldn’t mind the consequences, but I’ve been in her orbit too long to risk it.

Sadly, shedidget me this gig and the mentorship, courtesy of her oh-so-important father, who made the recommendation to Dexter Rory personally. Even if it’s becoming likely this was all a ruse to get her aninshe wanted, there’s no denying Kayla is the reason I’m here.

“Fine,” I say firmly. “I’ll see what I can do. But just so you know, he’s not the smiley bachelor man you think he is. He’s short-fused and grumpy and kind of a hardass, just between us. But Kay, I have to go.”

I hang up before she can say anything else, barely resisting the urge to throw my phone off the building. I certainly can’t afford to replace it.

As it is, I’m going to pay for sassing her by doing her bidding.

A man clears his throat from behind me and I whirl around.

Apparently, I’ll pay for my sass right this second, because His Highness, King Grumpybutt himself, stands there in his full glory.

Today, he’s decked out in a silvery grey suit that makes him look more imposing than ever.

He’s a businessman through and through and he just heard me insult him on thephone. While I was supposed to be working.

Screw the phone. Can someone throw me off the roof instead?

There’s an apology in me somewhere—anotherone, I mean—but I can’t quite find the words. Nothing except a whispered, “I really hope—”

“I came by to let you know I’ve secured a company sitter for Arlo. A backup, if you need them.”

“What?” I don’t understand.

“So there won’t be a repeat of yesterday,” he explains, his face unwavering.

“Um, that’s—wow.”Real coherent, Salem. Way to show him you’re a consummate professional. “Thanks, but there’s really no need for that. He’s back in kindergarten this week and our babysitter, Mrs. Gabbard, she’s over her family emergency, so—”

“No.” The word is hard, clipped. His gaze is steely ice, almost like the rest of him. “Parts of this position are on demand, Miss Hopper. Weekends, evenings. You knew that when you signed the contract.”

“I knew that. You’re right.” I gulp and dip my head.Pride doesn’t work here, I tell myself.Just get over it and take the damn offer.“Thank you. That’s very kind. I’ll call them if I need a backup plan for sure.”

“She’s available on call. Anyplace, anytime,” he adds.

“Super generous.”

There’s a flash of suspicion in his blue eyes.

Obviously, he heard the conversation with Kay—and he knows I don’t think he’s kind or generous.

“We’ll be touring the city tomorrow so you can see more of the properties in our portfolio,” he tells me. “You won’t be managing them directly, of course, but it’s important for you to see the full scope of our operations. A broader view of the company might help you optimize things here.”

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