Page 18 of Like a Boss

I chuckle to myself. “Too late for that.”

Adding the final touches to a document, I press print and sigh in relief. My tired muscles groan in protest when I stand and make my way over to the printer. A yawn escapes me as I wait for the two-hundred-page document to print.

What a day. As much as it sucked, I love being back in the workforce.

Before my boss turned into a betraying she-devil, I loved working for her. I thrived on the deadlines, and enjoyed delivering before they were due. I guess I’m an overachiever. I always have been.

Although Dylan is a major pain in the ass, a small part of me is grateful he took a chance on someone he never met unknowingly before Saturday night. But I’d sooner eat glass than tell him that.

“Are you still here, Ms. Young?”

“Sweet mother of god!” I yelp, pressing a hand to my chest. Lost in thought, I failed to hear Mr. Fox exit his office. “Don’t you know it’s rude to sneak up on people,” I admonish, spinning around.

“I was hardly sneaking,” he replies with a lopsided smirk. Goddamn, he’s handsome when he’s not a sourpussed jerk.

“Regardless, make some noise next time,” I bark, ignoring his smile.

“Noted. I’ll be sure to announce my arrival next time.” Is he making a joke?

Again, I ignore him because I can’t deal with his mood swings.

“Good.”

We stand staring at one another, that familiar static once again crackling between us. I wish it would stop because it’s giving me whiplash. Everything about Mr. Dylan Fox gives me whiplash.

“These files will be on your desk in five minutes. Sorry, they’re late,” I apologize, needing to fill the silence.

He nods.

“And the transcripts for today’s meeting will be on your desk by the morning.” I leave out the fact I’ll be here all night finishing it.

“Excellent.”

Silence once again.

These pauses are making me edgy, so I turn around, busying myself with the copier.

“Well,” he says with pause. “Good night then.”

“Good night.”

Why is he still here?

I hold my breath, only letting it out when I hear the elevator ding.

What is it about this man? I’m pretty sure I hate him, but why do I want to tear his clothes off every time I’m in the same room as him. “Because you’re crazy, Baylee,” I mumble to myself, running a hand down my face.

Once the copier spits out the final page, I bind it and make my way into Dylan’s office. Once inside, I tell myself in and out, as it’s totally unprofessional snooping around in your boss’s belongings. But so is sleeping with the boss. And besides, I’ve broken all the rules. What’s one more?

I casually place the files on his desk, peering around his generous, orderly office. This is the office of a control freak, where every little thing has a place and purpose—how entirely boring and drab.

Unable to help myself, I take a tour, ensuring not to touch anything along the way. There are no personal belongings in here. No picture frames, no trophies, no awards, nothing to give me a better idea of who my boss is. Maybe that’s what he wants. This is his place of business. He obviously conducts his matters of pleasures in hotel rooms with complete strangers.

The huge bay window reveals breathtaking views of Boston and the Marina. I can imagine Tiger sitting in his high-backed leather chair, staring out the window, thinking about work, money, and the women he’s screwed. I wonder if he’s thought about me. It’s only fair, seeing as I can’t seem to stop thinking about him.

Pulling out his seat, I feel like an utter rebel as I slouch into his chair. The leather feels soft yet hard underneath my body, and I can’t help but compare it to that of its owner. Spinning it around, I lean backward and take in the views before me. It’s quite peaceful being alone this high up.

My mind wanders to thoughts of Scott. I wonder what he’s doing and if he’s happy. A part of me hopes that he isn’t. He ruined my life,, and he also ruined me. But being with Tiger was the first time I felt alive in months. In a weird, twisted way, he gave me hope that maybe I’ll actually be okay. He gave me the courage to be myself, while not that long ago, I didn’t know who that was.

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