Page 107 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

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I head into the office, my head still spinning, the new weight of reality hanging heavy on my shoulders. My new PA, Hailey, greets me, her crisp blouse and efficient smile in place. She’s competent, no doubt, and she reminds me of Leah in that way, only with sharper edges and a no-nonsense attitude that lacks Leah’s warmth.

“Mr. Waverly, how can I assist you today?”

“You know Leah?”

Her eyes dart to the corner like she’s looking for help. “You mean your ex—”

“Yeah.”

“I might’ve googled her, sir.”

“Good,” I say, barely looking up. “Do a deep dive on Insta, Twitter, or whatever you guys use and get me Leah’s friend, Penny, on the phone.”

She hesitates, eyebrows raised. “I—I thought things were over between you and Leah, sir.”

I look up sharply, seeing her startled expression. “Just get her on the phone, Hailey.”

She nods, flustered, and quickly heads out. Less than thirty minutes later, Hailey connected a call to my line.

I pick up a little too quickly.

“Is it true I just won myself a new MacBook? Oh my God! I didn’t even apply! Wait till Leah hears about—”

“I’m sorry, Penny, but that was just a ruse to get you on the line.”

She stops, and I can almost imagine her frowning. “Who’s this?”

“It’s Silas Waverly.”

“What the hell do you want, Silas?” Her tone is sharp and defensive. I’m the last person she expected to hear from, I’m sure.

I clear my throat, forcing myself to keep steady. “Penny, I know you’re probably the last person who wants to hear from me, but I need your help.”

A scoff. “With what?”

There’s a stunned silence on the other end of the line, and I wait. This is it—the moment everything hangs on.

“I need to win her heart back.”

Chapter thirty-seven

Leah

Penny’s got that lookin her eyes—the look that says she’s about two seconds from pulling me out the door, whether I like it or not. I’m in my sweats, cuddled up in a blanket on the couch, and all I want is to sit here and sulk in peace.

“Can’t you just go alone? Why do I have to go?”

“Leah,” Penny says, hands on her hips. “I’ve already told him I’d come, and you know how I feel about meeting guys from dating apps. What if he’s a serial killer? Or worse, what if he’s one of those guys who spend the entire date talking about his mom?”

“So don’t go,” I mumble, trying to sink deeper into the couch. “If you’re this unsure about it, maybe he’s not worth it.”

“I don’t want to stand him up.”

“But you’d rather make me stand him up.”

Penny throws a pillow at me, smacking me right in the face. “That’s not the point! The point is I already said yes, and if I bail now, I’ll look flaky. Plus, I told him I was bringing a friend.” She shoots me a pointed look.

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