Page 60 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

Chapter twenty-one

Leah

I’ve officially lost controlof my own life.

I stare at my phone screen, my heart pounding as I scroll through the headlines."Silas Waverly Engaged to Best Friend’s Daughter! Age-Gap Romance Sparks Scandal!"

The worst part is the picture they used—me and Silas kissing in front of Emma’s stupid camera, mid-lip-lock, like we’re the latest reality TV couple no one asked for.

Damn it, Emma.

It’s not yet noon, but my head’s spinning like I’m hungover. At least with a real hangover, you know you brought it on yourself. This, though? This is straight-up sabotage.

My phone buzzes—FaceTime from Penny. I immediately answer.

“Leah!” Penny’s face pops up on screen, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, eyes wide and bright. She’s in her usual casual, pretty look—tank top and yoga pants, like she’s about to head to brunch in the West Village. “Have you seen the news? Shit, what am I asking?”

“Of course I’ve fucking seen it, Pen,” I bark, my voice tighter than I intended. My heart’s racing again just hearing it out loud. "Emma couldn’t keep her cameras off us for five seconds."

Penny winces. “God, this is a disaster, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know, Penny. I feel like that’s an understatement.”

“I’m so sorry, babe. Have you talked to your dad?”

Ah, my father. The last person I want to think about. Harvey fucking Grayson. He’s been blowing up my phone with calls, but I haven’t gotten around to picking them up. I wonder if he’s doing the same to Silas. I let out a bitter laugh.

“No, and honestly, I don’t care if he knows. I mean, he has no right to judge me after all he’s done. But Silas . . .” I trail off, my throat closing up.

Silas definitely cares. He’s the one that matters. Of course, my father’s feelings matter to him. Silas wouldn’t want to hurt hisbest friend, even though the whole thing between us is fake—or is supposed to be fake.

Last night certainly wasn’t fake.

Penny narrows her eyes. “You’re right, screw your dad. But still, Emma should’ve known better! I don’t care if she didn’t know it was a secret. Who posts shit like that without asking first? It’s straight-up shitty.”

I run a hand through my hair, feeling the tension in my scalp as I pull it back into a tight knot. Penny’s right, but I’m too strung out to dissect Emma’s lack of common sense right now. The urge to punch something is strong, but the only thing around is a marble statue of some Greek god, and I’m not trying to break my hand.

“When are you leaving England?” Penny asks, her voice softening a little, sensing my meltdown.

“This evening, and I can’t wait to leave. This place is nuts, Penny.”

I glance over my shoulder, scanning the estate’s sprawling grounds, looking for Silas or Caleb, anyone who can ground me. It’s too damn picturesque here. The kind of place where you’re supposed to relax and sip tea, not have your engagement explode all over social media.

“And how’s Silas handling it?” Penny’s voice brings me back to the conversation. I bite my lip, avoiding her gaze. “Leah, what are you not telling me?”

“I haven’t seen him yet. But I called him earlier to let him know my father knows.” My voice is small, not like me at all. I hate this feeling—this powerlessness.

Penny squints, her face closer to the screen now, as if trying to pry the truth out of me. “Leah, you’re holding out on me. Spill. How areyouhandling this?”

I hesitate, my heart doing that annoying little flip it’s been doing ever since last night. “I told him I love him.”

“Excuse me?” Penny’s jaw drops. “You didwhat?!”

“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me, Penny. It just slipped out, and now everything is spiraling.” My voice is shaking, and I can’t help it.

I feel like I’m free-falling with no parachute in sight. “What do you mean, it just slipped out? Like you were having dinner, and you were like,pass me the salt, Silas. Oh, also, I love you?”

“Well, I was having an orgasm, so I wasn’t really thinking straight, you know?”

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