Page 63 of The Guy Who Became My Grumpy Boss

My speech would have been much less inspiring, and I took a moment to admire the woman I had fallen so hard for.

She was dressed in less revealing clothes today, but even in jeans and a T-shirt with the bits of hair that had escaped her ponytail plastered to her head by sweat, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her.

If I got too close, I might not be able to keep my hands off her either.

But I had her coffee, so I found the pile of golf clubs, added my duffle bag to it, then moved to Jessica, who was giving last minute instructions to the food team. As soon as they walked away, I moved in, with my arm outstretched.

Jessica snatched the cup out of my hand. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Happy to help.”

She eyed me as she took a few sips of her drink, then she lowered the cup and studied me. “You okay?”

“I am now,” I assured her.

Jessica stepped closer to me. “You brought the clubs?”

I moved toward her. “Already delivered.” She was inches away from me, and it was a struggle to keep my eyes off her lips.

“Do you need to be alone for a while before we start?” she asked.

No one was close to us, so I said, “I could use some time alone with you before we start.”

Jessica grinned. “I know just the place.”

I’d never kissed anyone in a random hotel closet before, but a few minutes later, and despite the questionable smell coming from the shelves, I was keen to repeat the experience. Jessica left me with one last toe-curling press of her lips to mine and told me to find a place to chill out for at least thirty minutes.

We’d agreed that she would handle most of the beforehand issues, while I would step in and take the reins for the remainder of the day. She’d promised to stay close, and I was clinging to that promise.

The hotel, although located in a less desirable section of the city, turned out to be quite nice. I found a small library filled with books that I’d never heard of and decided to hide there until it was almost time to start.

As soon as I sat, I got a text.

Jessica:Are you chilling?

I sent her a picture of the room.

Peter:As ordered.

Jessica:Good job!

I chuckled. It had been ages since I’d laughed more than once or twice in a week, but Jessica brought out the light in me. Suddenly, thirty minutes seemed like a very long time.

My phone buzzed again. I opened it, expecting to see Jessica’s name, but instead it was a message from Marissa.

Marissa:I’m here.

My stomach clenched. Did she mean here at the hotel? Or did she mean on the video call?

Peter:The call isn’t scheduled to start for another hour.

Marissa’s answer came swiftly.

Marissa:I decided video wasn’t enough, so I’m here. At the hotel!

A picture came through of her in a wheelchair with her leg sticking straight out in a cast. I recognized the carpet and drapes from the lobby.

She was here? Now? My thoughts halted, and it took me a moment to get them going again.

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