Page 14 of The Grump's Assistant

“Do you often make home visits when your employees call out?” Juniper asks, darting ahead of us to unlock the door.

“Only you.” I think I shocked myself as much as I shocked her. I didn’t mean to say that.

Juniper’s eyes soften as she tilts her head to the side. Then, she shakes off whatever thoughts are fluttering through her head, and shoves the creaky door open. I make a note to have it replaced. Hell, this whole place could use a facelift. But that’s not important right now. First things first.

“Well, thanks. We’re good now. I’m sure you have more important things to do,” Juniper says, not looking at me. She’s busy guiding her mother to an overstuffed recliner. The women pause and Juniper’s shoulders fall. I take a step closer, wanting to ease her stress and destroy whatever made her anxious. “Let’s sit on the couch for now,” she tells her mother, who nods in agreement.

I peer at the chair, trying to see what’s wrong with it, but my eyes land on something else. A tray lays haphazardly on the floor, surrounded by shards of glass from a broken cup. Some green mixture is splattered everywhere, as well as energy bars and a few other things.

I’m not sure what happened, but it’s obvious these two left in a hurry. I’m guessing it had something to do with her mother getting to the hospital. Looking over my shoulder at Juniper, I see she’s fussing over pillows and blankets for Beth. I peer into the small kitchen, spotting a few rags and cleaning supplies in the corner.

There’s not much I can do to help, but I can clean up this mess so Juniper doesn’t have to deal with it. She’s trying her best to be brave and strong, but I saw the weariness in her eyes. She’s a breath away from falling apart. I want to be the one she turns to when her world comes crashing down.

Looking down at the mess, I start by picking out the glass pieces and then dabbing away the green stain before applying carpet cleaner. It’s been a long damn time since I’ve had to cleananything myself. I have well-paid staff to do those mundane tasks for me.

“You don’t have to do that,” Juniper says from behind me. “You’re going to get your suit dirty.”

“Good thing I get a discount at my favorite dry cleaners then,” I quip while finishing up.

The softest, sweetest laughter falls from her lips. I feel it trickle down my spine, lighting up every nerve ending along the way. “Yeah, I heard you have a pretty great assistant.”

“Is that right?” I ask, standing up and turning to face her. “What else have you heard about my assistant?” I’m aware that her mom is sitting a dozen feet away from us, but I can’t stop myself from stalking forward.

“Um…” Her trembling voice trails off as she fixes her emerald gaze on me. She’s trying to be playful, but she’s too nervous to pull it off.

“Juniper,” her mother calls. “Offer Mr. Sloan a drink and invite him to sit down. Show him we have some manners.”

Juniper rolls her eyes and my lips twist into an almost-smile. I see where she gets her sassiness from. “Yes, Mama,” she drawls, though I can hear the love in her voice. “Mr. Sloan?—”

“Vincent,” I correct her. She stares at me for a second, apparently as surprised as I am at my words.

Once again, I’m speaking without thinking. My employees never address me by my first name. I like the distance it puts between myself and everyone under my employ. It’s not that I think I’m better than them. I’m just more important, and I pay their income, so that deserves some respect. Looking at Juniper now, however, I realize I want something more than isolation and respect. I wanther.

“Uh, okay,” she quickly recovers. “Would you like something to drink,Vincent?” Juniper emphasizes my name, and goddamnif I don’t like hearing her say it. She bites down softly on her bottom lip, a gesture that’s both adorable and sexy as fuck.

“No, thank you.”

“Okay then.” Juniper stares at me from across the living room, waiting for me to say something.

For the first time in my life, I feel awkward. I’ve never cared about anyone’s opinion enough to let it make me nervous. In fact, I don’t care much about what anyone says about me, period. Who gives a fuck when you have millions in the bank and adding to your wealth every day?

But this woman…

Fuck. She’s rearranging my future, making room for her needs, wants, and dreams. Juniper is also digging around in my chest, trying to get to my heart. I’m not sure what good it is, or why someone like her would want it, but I’m just obsessed enough to not give a shit. She has a hold on me, and now I need to make her as crazy as I am. How the hell do I do that?

“Are you okay?” Juniper asks.

At the same time, I say, “What happened?” as I sweep my hand out to the carpet that still has a faint stain from the spilled beverage.

“That would be my fault,” Beth sighs. “I gave my girl a good scare this morning. It’s my fault she skipped out on work, too, so please don’t take it out on her.”

The mention of work feels like a slap in the face. I showed up here with the intent to reprimand my assistant and tell her she’s on thin ice. But then she turned out to be sexy and adorable, on top of her sweet and sassy personality. I wasn’t expecting her to have such a big heart, but it takes a special person to take care of a sick parent. Plus, I can’t yell at someone in front of their mother. I’m not that much of an asshole.

“Of course not,” I reply, clearing my throat. I know I’m being weird and intrusive.

Beth looks amused. Exhausted, but amused. Juniper just continues to stare, her round eyes blinking up at me.

“I came to… check on you,” I lie. Though it’s not really untruthful, is it? I knew somewhere deep down when I got her address, I wouldn’t be firing her. I just didn’t know I’d be tripping all over myself to get her to smile at me. “What happened today? Can I help?”

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