Page 28 of Like a Boss

Internally flipping Tiger off, I nod. “I am.”

“Great. Well, I usually go to this sushi bar down the road—” His eyes drop to my chest midsentence. It appears Hannah’s plan has worked—but on the wrong person.

“Sounds great. I’ll meet you at twelve thirty.”

He looks surprised. As does Hannah. “Great, okay, see you then.” Giving my chest one final glance, he turns around and walks back the way he came.

The daunting glass door haunts me, but I pull back my shoulders. “I’ll talk later, Han.” I lean forward, giving her a hug.

“Good to see your outfit works. Although, it’s meant for Tiger, not your admirers. I want hourly updates.”

Muting a laugh behind my hand, I push open the door, hating how loudly my heels click on the polished floor. Placing my bag on the desk, I see that I’m a couple minutes early. I use this time to gather my wits and feel comfortable with my wardrobe choice.

Hannah’s genius idea involved a cream blouse and the blue bra Tiger gave me. If he remains unmoved, then I know he’s a total heartless jerk, but if I get a rise out of him, then hooray for me. It’s very childish and will probably backfire, but let the sinning begin.

When 8:02 a.m. ticks over, I take a deep breath and push open Mr. Fox’s door with a staged confidence. He’s sitting behind his desk, head buried in paperwork. As expected, he ignores me. At least the first part of the plan has gone how I expected.

Sauntering over to him, I place his coffee cup down on his desk without a word. I wait a second, but when he continues working, I take that as my cue to leave. Turning on my heel, I almost run to the door, but stop when Tiger decides to talk.

“Ms. Young.”

I close my eyes, hating that I still respond to his voice this way.

“Yes,” I reply, my back still turned.

“My two p.m. meeting. I would like you in attendance to take notes.”

“Of course.”

“And I’ll be eating lunch in the office today. Could you please ensure I have turkey on rye at twelve forty-five p.m.?”

Great. There goes my lunch date with Ken.

“Not a problem.” My back is still turned as the more, he speaks, the stupider I feel.

“Am I that repulsive you can’t face me?” he asks a second later.

I refrain from saying yes, but instead turn slowly. The moment I do, his eyes drop to my chest, widening the moment he sees the color of my bra. It’s subtle, but in the sunlight, the blue is highlighted underneath my sheer blouse. His pupils dilate, and my god, when he shuffles in his seat, I know that Hannah’s plan has worked.

Mr. Unaffected appears totally affected and, for once, not guarding his emotions.

“Is there anything else I can help you with, sir?” I say, standing confidently as he checks me out.

When he lifts his eyes, his jaw firm, I melt. He swallows hard before replying. “T-that will be all.”

I celebrate when I hear his stutter.

“Very well.” I nod, unable to stop my smirk as I turn and walk to the door.

“Oh, Ms. Young?”

“Yes?” I reply midstep.

“Thank you for the coffee.”

Now is not the time to gloat. When I do a little celebratory dance in the bathroom, then I can celebrate all I want. “You’re welcome, sir.”

The moment I close his office door behind me, I take a deep, victorious breath. Victory has never smelled this good.

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