Page 37 of Filthy Rich Bosses

I roll my eyes, adopting my best pouty face. "You're all being babies. It's perfectly safe!"

Grayson crosses his arms, looking every bit the stern businessman. "Chase, this is ridiculous. We're leaving."

"Nope!" I declare, grabbing Tessa's hand and tugging her toward the entrance. "We're doing this. Non-negotiable, remember?"

As we approach the door, I can feel the resistance in Tessa's arm. I turn to face them all, my expression softening. "Look, I promise it's not what you think. Trust me, okay?"

There's a moment of hesitation, and I hold my breath. Finally, Grayson sighs. "Fine. But if I die, I'm haunting you for eternity."

I laugh, relief washing over me. "Deal! Now come on, you big scaredy-cats."

As we step inside, I watch their faces transform from fear to confusion. Instead of parachutes and planes, they're greeted by the sight of a massive wind tunnel.

"Welcome to indoor skydiving!" I announce, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. "All the thrill, none of the altitude."

The relief on their faces is palpable, and I can't help but chuckle. We suit up, and I watch as Tessa's initial apprehension melts into curiosity. Her eyes sparkle as she listens to the instructor's explanation, her fingers fidgeting with the zipper of her flight suit.

"Ready?" I ask, nudging her gently.

She looks at me, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "As I'll ever be, I guess."

One by one, we take our turns in the wind tunnel. Cole goes first, his usual stoic demeanor cracking as he lets out a whoop of joy. Grayson follows, his movements stiff at first but gradually relaxing into the experience.

Then it's Tessa's turn. As she steps into the tunnel, I find myself holding my breath. The wind catches her, lifting her off her feet, and for a moment, she looks terrified. But then something shifts. Her face breaks into a genuine smile, laughter bubbling up from her chest as she floats.

"Look at you go!" I call out, unable to keep the grin off my face.

As I watch her, I feel a strange tightness in my chest. There's a lightness to her that I've never seen before. She thinks she hides it, but I catch glimpses of something darker at times. A shadow that flits across her face when she thinks no one's looking.

I wish I didn't recognize it, but I do. It's the same shadow I've seen in Cole's eyes when he thinks about the past, in Grayson's when he thinks about his late wife. It's a familiar darkness, one that speaks of past pain and carefully guarded secrets.

As Tessa finishes her turn, stumbling out of the tunnel with windswept hair and flushed cheeks, I'm hit with a sudden realization. I want to know her— really know her. Not just the sarcastic, tough exterior she shows the world, but the person underneath. The one who laughs freely in a wind tunnel.

I gather Cole and Grayson, the adrenaline from our adventure still buzzing in our veins. Tessa's gone to freshen up, giving us a moment alone.

"Let's grab a drink," I suggest, nodding toward the bar. Because nothing says sanity like drinking and indoor skydiving. "Just us boys."

They exchange a glance but follow me without protest. The bar is brightly lit, all chrome and red leather. We settle into a corner booth, nursing our drinks.

"All right, Chase," Grayson says, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me. "What's on your mind?"

I take a sip of my whiskey, letting the burn ground me. "I've been thinking about us. About Tessa. About...everything."

Cole leans forward, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," I pause, searching for the right words, "we've been through a lot together. But lately, it feels like we're drifting apart."

The silence that follows is heavy. I can see the guilt in Grayson's eyes, the tension in Cole's shoulders.

"I know I'm not usually the one to get all deep and meaningful," I continue, "but I miss us. And I think...I think Tessa could be good for us. If we let her in."

Grayson's hand tightens around his glass. "Chase, you know it's not that simple."

"Isn't it?" I challenge, feeling a rare surge of frustration. "We're all carrying our own baggage. But maybe it's time we stopped letting it define us."

“She’s temporary, Chase. Her contract is only for the month. And she’s two weeks into it now.”

“She’snottemporary. Not for me.”

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