Page 85 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

I cut her off, shaking my head. “Penny, no. That’s not it.”

She shrugs, flopping down on the couch like she owns the place. “Whatever you say. But if you start craving pickles and ice cream, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I roll my eyes. “What’s in the box?”

“Doughnuts for my favorite girl,” she says as I whip the box open.

“Ugh. You’re a lifesaver.” I grab one glazed doughnut and sink my teeth into it. My stomach growls with appreciation as I chew. “I’m freaking starving,” I say with my mouth full.

Why am I so hungry?

“Pace yourself; you’re eating like a castaway.”

“I feel like a castaway.”

By the time I’m done eating three doughnuts, which is weird because I’m not such a fan of doughnuts, I feel even more bloated. Penny’s staring at me like she’s studying me, and I’m suddenly avoiding her gaze.

What?

I hand her my phone. “Let’s just get this video done, okay? I need to clear Silas’s name before this gets any worse.”

I’ve already written a short script, just a few sentences to set the record straight. I glance at it again, making sure it sounds right.

“Ready?” Penny asks, pointing my phone’s camera at me.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. “Ready.”

“Action!” she yells like a legitimate director, which makes me chuckle.

“Don’t do that, Penny.” I stifle a chuckle and shake my head.

“What?” She tries to swallow her laughter. “Action?”

“Don’t make me laugh, okay? You know I need to look solemn for this. The last thing people want to see is me smiling like I’m not taking this seriously.”

Penny raises her hands. “Okay, okay. I won’t make you laugh. You ready?”

I nod, and she hits record.

“Hey, everyone. This is Leah Grayson. I’m here to set the record straight about the rumors circulating in the media. Silas has never, and I meannever, done anything inappropriate to me. We met when I was an adult, and our relationship has always been consensual. Someone started these rumors, using his influence to manipulate the narrative, and I won’t let him destroy Silas’s life or mine. I love him, and we’re engaged. So, please stop believing the lies and let us live our lives.”

I stop recording, my heart racing like I just sprinted a mile. Penny looks impressed.

“Damn, girl. That was good,” she says, returning the phone to me. “You could give Meryl Streep a run for her money.”

I nod, posting the video before I can second-guess myself. Then, I shut my phone off and toss it on the desk. “That’s done.”

Penny grins. “Let’s hope it works. In the meantime, I’m going to chill here. Your Wi-Fi is amazing.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I watch her settle onto the couch with her laptop. As much as I love her, I need a break. I glance at my computer and see Silas’s schedule pop up. A reminder that in precisely one month, he’s supposed to be in Rome for a film festival. My stomach churns.

Rome. Where he met me, where he lost his brother, Ezra. No wonder he’s been on edge lately. It’s not just the scandal or my father’s attack, it’s the anniversary of Ezra’s death.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes. It’s Caleb.

“Hey, are you free?” he asks, his voice low. “I don’t want the driver to pick me up today. So, I—I was thinking . . . Um.”

“What is it, Caleb? You can tell me anything.”

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