Page 49 of Boss Daddy

“What do you mean?”

“Just that after our staff meeting in the storeroom, you seemed a little preoccupied.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Sure?”

“Yeah. Just looking forward to getting home.”

“Same here,” he says with a grin. “Where we can have a follow-up meeting.”

Just the mention of more fun with him makes my core tighten. I wink, biting back a laugh as he straightens, shaking his head. He gives me one last smoldering look before heading off to make his rounds, leaving me to fend off the flush creeping up my neck.

As I wipe down the bar and start counting the till, my mind wanders, my gaze subtly moving over the rest of the staff.

Do they know? Have they noticed the little glances Samuel and I exchange, the way his voice softens when he talks to me? We’ve been careful—no flirting, no lingering looks when anyone’saround. Well, aside from just now, I guess.People aren’t stupid and we’re not exactly subtle.

Mark hasn’t said anything, but I’ve caught him giving me a few curious looks, like he’s trying to piece something together. If he’s suspicious, he hasn’t voiced it. Not yet anyway.

Once the last customer leaves and the front doors are locked, I haul the cash drawer from the register and head toward the back office. Samuel and James are already there, seated at the desk, glasses of whiskey in hand. They’re laughing about something, the kind of camaraderie that comes from years of shared history.

Samuel looks up when I walk in, his eyes lighting up in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. “You’re just in time,” he says, motioning to the empty chair beside James. “Join us.”

I hesitate for half a second before shrugging and setting the till on the desk. “Why not?” I say, sliding into the chair. “What’s the occasion?”

“Slow night,” James says with a grin, raising his glass in a mock toast. “And apparently, good company.”

I smirk, leaning back in my chair. “Flattery will get you everywhere, James.”

“Don’t I know it.”

Samuel chuckles, taking a sip of his drink. Then he looks at James who responds with a small smirk.

“So,” James says, “you’ve been sticking around late a lot these days, Erin.”

I arch a brow. “Is that your way of saying I work too much? Or are you just getting tired of my face?”

“Just an observation,” he says. “But for the record, I think it’s good. About time Samuel loosened up a little.”

Samuel groans, rolling his eyes. “Don’t start.”

“What?” James says. “It’s true. You’ve been walking around like a broody asshole for years. It’s nice to see you acting like a human being again.”

I bite back a laugh, glancing at Samuel, whose lips twitch with suppressed amusement. “Alright, boys. I think that’s my cue to take the tips and run,” I say, rising from my chair.

“No chance,” James counters, grabbing another glass and pouring a measure of whiskey into it before handing it to me. “Not until we all have a toast. To… let’s see… to broody assholes finding their humanity.”

Samuel shakes his head, muttering something about a fucking prickunder his breath, but the warmth in his expression doesn’t go unnoticed. “I suppose I’ll drink to that.”

We tap our glasses and drink. The whiskey burns in that perfect way only whiskey can. I set my glass on the desk. “Well boys, it’s been fun. But I need to finish up.”

Samuel catches my eye as I stand, his gaze lingering just long enough to make my stomach flutter.

I head to the front, doing the last bit of cleanup. After a short time, Samuel and James come out for one more shot, then we finally call it a night. James grabs his coat, giving me a knowing smile before heading out the back door.

“See you two tomorrow,” he says.

As the door clicks shut, Samuel turns to me. “Ready?”

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