Page 22 of The Guy Who Became My Grumpy Boss

This office always felt a bit antiseptic, but right now a dark cloud seemed to hang from the ceiling, complete with grumblingthunder.

Danger Zone was notoriously cold to people, sometimes to the point of being rude, but I’d never known him to be upset.

And right now, I’d say he was upset.

Danger Zone sat ramrod straight in his seat with his palms flat on the desk on either side of his keyboard. He must have straightened his tie before I’d come in, because it usually leaned a little askew when he was sitting down.

I had plenty of people in my life that emanated a strong vibe. Nanette brought calm and creativity with her to every situation. Victoria brightened up even the darkest moments. Danger Zone usually projected confidence and productivity.

Instead of that, I felt a dark wave of uncertainty coming off of him.

I didn’t remember grabbing my work tablet, but I had it in my hand, ready to take notes.

Usually Danger Zone spoke first. We didn’t do pleasantries. This time he stared at me with his light brown eyes and his lips pulled into a tight line.

To some this might be unattractive, but I’d always liked intense guys, and right then, Danger Zone was sizzling hot.

I reminded myself that he didn’t like curvy girls and smiled. “What’s up, boss?” I inwardly cringed. I’d never addressed him as boss before, and I should never do it again.

Danger Zone blinked in surprise, then shifted ever so slightly in his seat. He flicked a finger. “Please, sit.”

I sat. Like an obedient puppy.

No, not like a puppy, I assured myself. More like a woman doing her job.

Danger Zone stared at me—or more accurately stared at my earrings—for a few seconds. Which left me feeling breathless.

Was he going to ask me to help him? What would he say if I suggested that Marissa should still be involved? I didn’t want tobring her into it, but if that’s what he wanted, I’d do it.

Even knowing he didn’t like curvy girls hadn’t stilled my beating heart or quelled the butterflies in my stomach when I’d caught sight of him this morning. The intensity he was oozing right now wasn’t helping.

“I need your help,” Danger Zone blurted out.

I waited.

He sighed. “We have a problem.”

“I heard about Marissa,” I said in an attempt to move the conversation forward.

“It’s not that.” He looked away, then back at me. His normally confident gaze held a hint of panic. “The facility hosting our company retreat has been shut down, and I’ve been tasked to come up with something new.”

I’d been expecting him to ask me to help him by replacing Marissa in some capacity for the next week and a half, but this was news to me.

“No one but Tyrell and me know about this,” Danger Zone said. “And now you.”

I’d thought long and hard about what I’d say if he asked me to step in for Marissa, so it took me a moment to change tracks. “They’re totally shut down?”

“Correct.”

I needed more information. “What has Tyrell asked you to do?”

Danger Zone leaned forward and placed his forearms on the edge of his desk. I refused to watch his fingers interlace. The guy had perfect hands. “I suggested that we give everyone two days off, but Tyrell wasn’t entirely on board with that.”

“That’s a good idea,” I said, surprised that he’d come up with it. He wasn’t exactly approachable, but he was very devoted to work.

“I agree, but Tyrell asked me to think of an activity we coulddo as a company for one of the days. He’s going to see if Amelia will approve the other day off.”

My fingers had already started typing out a list of things to do, but before I started asking questions, I looked at my boss. “Do you have a plan?”

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