Page 6 of The Guy Who Became My Grumpy Boss

“Ah.” My aunt had known me long enough not to interrupt that process.

“One proof of life picture a day,” I repeated.

“Same,” she said back.

“Agreed.”

“Love you.”

“Same.” I hung up and drew in a long inhale. When I let the air out of my lungs, I did so slowly, counting to ten.

By now, Jessica should be on her way up to our office. I could go around to the VIP elevator, but it would waste time, and I did need to look over a few emails before the meeting about the company retreat.

When I reached the count of ten, I set off. My reputation for being private proceeded me, and no one in the elevator or in our company space spoke to me as I walked toward my office.

Jessica was sitting at her desk, like usual.

I steeled myself for her inevitable greeting. When she caught sight of me out of the corner of her eye, she turned to look at me. “Welcome back,” she said with the hint of a smile that always threatened to elicit a delightful reaction in my stomach.

I rarely addressed her by name. It helped if I didn’t bring anything personal into our interactions. “Did you get a hold of my nine o’clock for Monday?” Today was Friday, and I always liked to get started on the next week’s appointments early.

“Done,” Jessica said. “She promised to answer the questions you had by end of day today.”

In order to keep my thoughts and words professional, I always focused on Jessica’s earrings. They were round and gold and looked like tiny, crocheted doilies. I’d never measured them, but if I had to bet, I’d say they were exactly the largest size recommended in the company handbook. They were either family heirlooms or something she’d found in a thrift store.

I gave her a nod of thanks. “Any emergencies while I was out?”

“Not that I know of.” She looked at the corner of the monitor on her desk. “Marissa will likely be here in five minutes.”

“Understood.” I allowed my gaze to linger on Jessica for a split second—taking in the way she scrunched her eyes as she worked and the luscious color of her lips—before tearing my attention away and moving on.

My office was just as I always left it. Sparse to the point ofbeing bare, I only had a desk, three chairs, a single bookcase, and a large monitor on one wall. The lack of personal touches made people uncomfortable, which was the point.

I quickly started my laptop and stowed my messenger bag in a desk drawer.

Before I’d dug into my third email, I heard a familiar voice from Jessica’s desk.

“Did you get the numbers I asked for?” Marissa demanded.

“Yes,” Jessica said.

“And the calculations?”

“Run and in the shared folder for the retreat.”

I wasn’t sure why, but Marissa liked to challenge Jessica. I wondered if she wanted the other woman to slip up somehow, but Jessica never did.

Jessica was a marvel, tackling every assignment I’d ever given her with ease, confidence, and efficiency. She’d done the same for Marissa when Jessica had been assigned to help us with the company retreat.

“What were the totals?” Marissa asked.

I shook my head. Rookie move. Jessica had a great memory.

“We have sixty-two employees coming to the retreat, but we’re expecting four hundred people for the final dinner. Ten percent are kids under the age of twelve. The venue can barely hold that many, so I called them and got some suggestions on what they’ve done in the past to overcome this issue.” Jessica barely paused. “I’ve also called several other venues to ask for suggestions. With all of that information, we should be able to craft a solution this afternoon.”

One side of my lips quirked up into a half-smile.

There was a reason I’d given Jessica a huge raise six months ago. Several other people in the company had been trying to snatch her away from me, and I refused to let them.

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