Page 101 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

“It’s barely ten.”

“So, no?”

He shakes his head, smiling. “Trying out this sobriety thing.”

“Since when?”

“Since today.” He grins, settling into the chair across from me. “Figured I’d give it a shot.”

“I’d rather you take this shot.” I sip my drink, eyeing him over the rim of the glass. “But yeah, I admire the optimism.”

We lapse into silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken memories filling the space between us. Finally, Cassian shifts, breaking the quiet. “I finished the war scenes for the movie. Thought I’d swing by to say goodbye before I head to D.C.”

“You’re leaving New York? Isn’t it home?”

Cassian smiles. “Home for me is on the move, man. It’s always been. There’s this contract I have to oversee in D.C. personally.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, it’s gonna be good for me.”

I nod, a pang of disappointment settling in my chest. “Appreciate you coming around, man.”

He studies me, and I wonder if he can see my barely concealed anger and pain. “I heard you’re heading to Rome soon.”

The glass in my hand feels heavier. I set it down, fingers tightening around the edge of the desk. “Yeah. The film festival’s coming up.”

“You know I’ve never been to Rome?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He nods, his eyes suddenly taking on a faraway look. “I was gonna go, you know? When we were posted away, Ezra and I, he always said he was gonna shoot his first movie in Rome. I always joked about joining him over there on a much-earned vacation.”

I grit my teeth, memories of my brother’s laughter haunting my mind. “Let’s stop talking about Rome.”

“Got it,” he says quietly, leaning back in his chair. He hesitates, glancing down, before he speaks again. “I also heard about Leah. I’m sorry, Silas. Shit happens.”

I laugh, but it’s a cold, empty sound. “Sorry? I’m getting used to it. I’m starting to think misfortune’s just part of the deal. I loved her, but yeah,shit happens.”

Cassian shakes his head, his expression sympathetic. “Look, Silas, you can’t control everything. Sometimes, it’s about letting go of what you can’t fix. You know who told me that?”

“Ezra?”

Cassian smiles sadly as he looks past me. “It’s funny how my biggest comfort after he died was his own words.” He refocuses on me. “Just let it go, man. That’s all you can do if you’ve tried your best, and it didn’t work out.”

I hold his gaze, one eyebrow raised. “Is that supposed to be comforting?”

Cassian shrugs, giving a faint smile. “Depends on whether you actually want comfort.”

I let out a long breath, the bourbon fogging up the edges of my mind. “The only thing I can control right now is this deal with the Caldwells. And that’s what I’m going to do. That’s what I’m going to focus on.”

Cassian nods, understanding etched into his handsome features. “Alright, so pretend I’m a blank board and bounce ideas of the deal off me.”

I brighten up. “Yeah?”

“Anything to take your mind off this Leah thing.”

We discuss strategy, reviewing the acquisition details and analyzing ways to appeal to the Caldwell family’s interests. The conversation shifts into familiar, comfortable territory, the kind of pragmatic discussions that have always grounded me.

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