Page 21 of The Guy Who Became My Grumpy Boss

“I assure you, it has been removed.” Especially now.

Catherine studied me for a moment before she huffed. “Good.” Then she went back to work.

I walked quickly through the rest of the desks and cubicles. I’d started a list of questions Jessica and I would need to answer, and I should finish it before I called her in.

To my relief, Jessica hadn’t yet arrived.

Once in my office, I went around my desk, dropped my messenger bag on the floor, and tried to settle into my chair.

Rationally, I knew there was nothing about the leather that was different than it had been on Friday, but the seat felt off-kilter and prickly. Or maybe that was my morning routine, which had gone out the window when I’d already had to talk to seven people before this point in the day.

I closed my eyes, slowly inhaled, and looked at the ceiling.

Marissa had interrupted my flower arranging yesterday.Perhaps that was the issue. I hadn’t had enough time to prepare for the week. Especially this one.

Some people found animal shapes in the texture of the ceiling tiles. I saw them as serviceable parts of the building that needed to be there to hide the untidy innards above them.

There was no way I could tackle this retreat by myself, and Jessica was the only ally I trusted to help me.

My gaze drifted to my computer screen, and I suddenly wanted to watch one of the Curvy Girl Crew videos. Maybe the one with the rat skeleton, or when they went to Alaska. That one seemed more powerful than the others.

What would Jessica think if she knew I watched her channel to calm myself? Her group of friends was utter chaos, but for some reason, they grounded me.

Shegrounded me.

I knew she’d agree to help me without question, but could I keep things professional?

Having to workwithher instead of her working for me might allow my progressing feelings for her to spring free, and that’s the last thing I wanted to happen. I didn’t want to push her away, but getting closer to her felt intimidating.

Jessica’s voice floated through my door. She was laughing and talking with someone. If I’d been a cat, my ears would have perked up.

The tight knot around my chest loosened. Jessica did that for me. It wasn’t as good as flower arranging, but she helped.

I would have to keep things professional between us. I picked up my phone and hit her extension.

She answered immediately. “Morning.”

I was glad we didn’t do pleasantries. “You probably noticed I have a lot of extra meetings this morning. Can you postpone the next two and come into my office?”

She only paused for a moment before she said, “Of course.”

Chapter 7

-Jessica-

A simple phone call didn’t usually get my hands shaking, but this one had.

I’d noticed that Danger Zone’s day had filled up, with things Marissa had been in charge of. Had he called me in to ask me to help him with that stuff, to facilitate Marissa, or was it something else?

I stood just as two people listed on Marissa’s schedule approached. The duo of women had their heads together, and if I had to bet, I’d say that they were talking about getting to go into Danger Zone’s office—an unusual experience. Too bad I was going to have to nip that in the bud. I gave them an easy smile and held up a finger. “Sorry, Peter just got pulled into something by management. I’m going to have to postpone your meeting until later. I’ll let you know when.”

The taller of the two scowled, but the other one nodded and dragged her partner in crime away.

It took less than five minutes to send requests for rescheduling, then I stood and went to his open door. My hand felt heavy as I raised it and knocked on the frame.

“Come in,” Danger Zone called.

I took a breath and entered.

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