Page 3 of Power Play Daddies
Slim meows, then headbutts my arm like he’s agreeing.
I glance at my phone again, hoping for a notification, but it’s as silent as it’s been all day. Ace isn’t just ignoring me—he’s flat-out ghosting me.
“Why do I even bother?” I say out loud, tossing my phone onto the coffee table.
Slim stares at me, then lets out a loud, demanding meow.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m trying, okay?” I rub his belly, and he bats my hand away. “Fine, you win. No belly rubs.”
The game cuts to a commercial and I lean back, exhaling. My chest feels tight, and not just because Ace is being a jackass. The stakes are high, and I know it.
“You think I can pull this off?” I ask Slim. “I mean, if I can’t even get him to pick up the damn phone…”
He blinks at me, unimpressed.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Less whining, more doing.”
I reach for the remote, switching channels for a bit of variety, but nothing catches my eye. The game rerun it is. Slim settles back into my lap, his purring filling the quiet.
“Thanks for putting up with me, Slim,” I say, giving his ears another scratch. “You’re better company than half the people I know.”
He meows softly, his eyes half-closed.
“You’re lucky you’re cute,” I say as I settle in for the rest of the game.
CHAPTER ONE
Daisy
Janice leansagainst the edge of my desk, arms crossed, her expression as grim as the coffee I forgot to sweeten this morning.
“Two days, Daisy,” she says, her voice low but firm. “Still nothing from your uncle?”
I shake my head, not meeting her gaze. “I’m working on it.”
Janice sighs, rubbing her temple. “You know they’re already talking layoffs upstairs, right? The higher-ups are… less than optimistic. It’s not a secret anymore.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” I mutter, twirling a pen between my fingers. “Everyone’s walking around here like they’re on death row.”
She gives me a look, equal parts exasperation and pity. “Listen, I’m not trying to pile on, but you’re our last hope. If you can get the Icemen, it might be enough to pull us out of this mess. If not…”
“I’ll figure it out.” I sit up straighter, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “I’ll find a way in.”
“I hope you do.” Janice pushes off the desk, smoothing her blazer. “But don’t burn yourself out, okay? You can’t save the whole company on your own.”
“Right,” I say, watching her walk away. “No pressure or anything.”
By the time I make it to my office, I’m ready to scream into a pillow. Instead, I push the door open and come to a halt when I see Logan lounging in my chair, spinning it back and forth like a kid at an arcade.
“Make yourself at home,” I say, dropping my bag on the floor.
“I already did,” he replies with a grin. “Rough meeting?”
“Understatement of the year.” I flop into the chair opposite him. “What’s up?”
“Thought you might need a drink after your meeting with Janice. There’s no way you’re ready to go home and relax after one of her pep talks.”
I glance down at my outfit—plain black slacks and a wrinkled blouse I regret putting on this morning. “I’m not exactly dressed for the club, Logan.”
