Page 20 of Filthy Rich Bosses

A flash of movement outside the French doors catches my eye, stopping me mid-sentence. I turn, drawn to the scene unfolding on my back lawn.

Tessa's lithe figure moves with purpose, her black cherry-colored hair a vibrant streak against the lush green grass. She's working with Zeus, guiding him through what looks like obedience training. Her hands move in swift, confident gestures, and even from here, I can see the intensity in her eyes.

"Mr. Harrington?" Juniper's voice fades into the background as I watch, transfixed.

Chase is sprawled on a lounge chair nearby, his tattoo-covered arms folded behind his head. He calls out something I can't quite hear, but it makes Tessa throw her head back in laughter. The sound carries faintly through the glass, light and carefree.

I feel a twinge in my chest. When was the last time I laughed like that?

"Should I add anything else to your schedule for tomorrow?" Juniper asks again, her pen poised over her tablet.

I blink, tearing my gaze away from the window. "No. Thank you."

As she nods, I can't help but glance back outside. Tessa's kneeling now, scratching Zeus behind the ears, her smile soft and genuine. For a moment, I'm struck by how natural she looks there, in my backyard, with Sarah's dog.

I shake my head, trying to clear the unexpected warmth blooming in my chest. There's work to be done, after all. Always more work.

I turn away from the window, my jaw clenching as I try to push away the conflicting emotions. "Juniper, let's head to my office. I need to dictate a few emails before we wrap up for the day."

As we climb the stairs, I can't help but think about Chase's constant reminders to “switch off” when I get home. But how can I? There's always another deal to close, another client to impress.

"Mr. Harrington," Juniper says, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor, "about the Hendricks account—"

"Right," I nod, pushing open the door to my home office. "We need to draft a response to their latest proposal. Take this down. 'While we appreciate your enthusiasm...'"

I settle into my leather chair, the familiar creak grounding me as I continue dictating. The words flow easily, years of practice making this second nature. But part of me can't help wonderingwhat it would be like to be out there instead, laughing in the sun without a care in the world.

I pause mid-sentence, rubbing the back of my neck. "Juniper, do you ever feel like you're missing out on something?"

She looks up from her tablet, surprise flickering across her face. "Sir?"

I wave a hand dismissively. "Never mind. Where were we?"

As I resume dictating, I can't shake the image of Tessa's smile, or the pang of envy I felt watching Chase with her. But this is who I am, isn't it? Grayson Harrington, always working, always striving. It's what's made me successful. It's what Sarah loved about me.

Isn't it?

"Grayson?" Tessa's voice carries up the stairs, interrupting my train of thought.

I lean back in my chair, calling out, "I'm in the office. Come on up."

Moments later, Tessa appears in the doorway, her hair windswept from being outside. Her green-blue eyes sparkle with determination, and I brace myself for whatever she's about to say.

"We need to talk about Zeus," she says, striding into the room with purpose.

I resist the urge to sigh. "Can't it wait? I'm in the middle of—"

"No, it can't," Tessa cuts me off, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You need to be part of his training, Grayson. Zeus needs to see you as an authority figure too."

I wave my hand dismissively, turning back to my computer. "I'm sure you're doing a great job. I trust your expertise."

"That's not the point," she insists, planting her hands on my desk and leaning forward. The scent of grass and fresh air clings to her, a stark contrast to the stuffy office air. "Zeus needs to bond with you. You're his owner."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Sarah's face flashes in my mind, and I swallow hard. "I'm not—I can't replace Sarah."

Tessa's expression softens slightly. "No one's asking you to. But Zeus needs stability, and that includes you."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. Part of me wants to argue, to dive back into work where everything makes sense. But I can't ignore the determined look in Tessa's eyes or the truth in her words.

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