Page 23 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

“Shit.” I glance at the time on my dashboard. It’s a few minutes past seven. “Yeah, I’ll be there. Don’t worry.”

“Are you sure you’re going to make it?”

“I’ll be there, Harvey.” I crane to see what Caleb’s doing. He’s drawing a cartoon character on his tablet. The unfinished sketch is almost as moody and dour as he is.

Harvey lowers his voice slightly, though it’s still loud enough for Caleb to hear. “My daughter’s gonna be there, too. Time for you to finally meet her, Silas.”

“Right. Looking forward to it.” I rub my jaw, already feeling the headache coming on.

When Harvey hangs up, the silence returns, and I glance at Caleb. “You want to come along tonight?”

He shakes his head without hesitation and presses the volume button of his tablet, disappearing into whatever playlist he’s drowning me out with as he keeps gaming.

Perfect. Another stellar conversation with my son.

We pull up to Arconia—a gigantic skyscraper in the Upper East Side. We enter the building and ride the elevator to the twentieth floor. I bought the entire floor a couple of years ago for privacy. It’s a bit much since it’s not like I can use the entire 20,000 square feet. But honestly, I’m considering buying the entire building. Not like I need to, but one can never have too much privacy.

I watch Caleb shuffle inside our penthouse without another word.

The housekeeper greets him when we step in, and I know she’ll handle things from here, so I head to my bedroom. It’s too quiet. But that should be normal now. I shrug off my jacket, staringinto the walk-in closet like the clothes hanging there might give me some answers.

Leah’s face keeps popping into my head—her expression when I made that ridiculous offer. The way her eyes widened, then narrowed as she processed it.

I had blindsided her.

Why did I ask her? There are probably many women who are willing to do it who’s from this city, and I ask the one who has a thing against me? I frown. Maybe because she was the first person in a long time who didn’t treat me like a walking checkbook.

I pull off my shirt, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Yeah, I’m not exactly in my twenties anymore, but I’ve still got it. I tug on a black button-down and smooth down the collar. I might not have figured out fatherhood, but I can at least look the part of the slick businessman who knows what he’s doing.

As I’m knotting my tie, my phone buzzes again. A text from Leah. I don’t know why, but my heart skips a beat.

I’ve thought about your offer. We need to talk.

I stare at the message, my heart doing a weird little flip. What the hell does that mean? Is she considering it? Rejecting it?

One thing’s for sure—this conversation is going to change everything. After dinner with Harvey, I’ll meet up with Leah. Ican’t put this off till tomorrow. I need the Caldwell deal sealed as soon as possible.

With a deep breath, I slip on my jacket and head out of my suite.

Chapter nine

Leah

I shouldn't be surprisedthat Penny's at it again. But seriously, she’s got to start hanging a sock on the doorknob or something.

I stand outside her bedroom door for a second, debating whether I should even go in or just wait till she’s done. But the whole point of coming home was to clear my head after Silas’s absurd “fake engagement” proposal.

I need to talk to Penny. Now.

I also can’t clear my head since it sounds like she’s dying in there. She’s sounded like that since I came home twenty minutes ago and searched for something to wear to the dinner tonight. I took my time dressing up, even though it was just a simple black dress and flats, Penny’s still not done.

“Penny?” I knock twice.

The sounds stop, and I hear shuffling. “Leah?” Penny sounds out of breath. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Yeah, because you had a man all in your guts.

“Poke your head in.” Penny chuckles at something her love-making strangers say.

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