Page 22 of Three Bossy Boyfriends
“How could you not know that?” I ask her.
Have we decided to completely gaslight Mary Grace about this? Yes, we have.
Evan looks at Finley. “Yes, Mary Grace, I’m shocked that you’ve missed that information. I’ve never made it a secret.”
She looks annoyed as she says, “You’ve never told me.”
“Has it ever come up? Why would he go out of his way to tell you?” I ask.
She looks from me to Evan and then to Finley. “You didn’t mention that you were dating one of our associates when we spoke with you about the paralegal position.”
Finley lifts her drink to her lips, sips, swallows, then says, “I assumed you already knew. My father was a partner in the firm for so many years. Everyone knew him so well, and all I ever heard was how much he talked about his kids. I can’t believe he didn’t mention it. Or maybe you’re the only one who doesn’t know.”
I cough lightly. I have no doubt Finley finds Mary Grace irritating as hell. I find Mary Grace irritating as hell, and I’m a partner, so I don’t have to listen to her at all. She’s been bossing Finley around since day one. And the more I get to know Finley,the more I understand that bossing her around is probably only fun if there’s lingerie involved.
On Finley. Not Mary Grace.
I frown. None of that should be going through my mind right now. Or probably ever.
“Doesmyfather know?” Mary Grace asks.
“I have no idea what your father knows and doesn’t know,” Finley says before Evan can answer. “I’ve never had a conversation with him about it. Have you?” she asks Evan.
“Again, I don’t think it’s ever come up. When we’re at work, we’re talking about work,” Evan says, making the point clearly. “We don’t talk about his wife, your mother, either. For what that’s worth.”
“If I had known that, I don’t think I would’ve hired you,” Mary Grace says.
That was not entirely Mary Grace’s decision.
Finley visibly bristles. “I think my father might’ve had something to say about that.”
I don’t know why, but that amuses me. Finley does not strike me as the type to use her father’s name to get ahead or to even approve of nepotism, now that I think about it. But she’s also not the type to let a woman like Mary Grace talk down to her.
“Doesyourfather know that you’re dating one of the associates?” Mary Grace asks.
“Of course. Why would I not tell my father about my boyfriend?” Finley tips her head as if truly puzzled. “I mean, maybe you don’t tell your father about your boyfriends.” She looks from Mary Grace to where Charles is standing a few feet away.
I settle back on my heels. Finley doesn’t need me to defend her right now. I wonder if she ever needs anyone to come to her defense. I also wonder if she ever gives anyone the opportunity to come to her defense.
“I don’t…” Mary Grace stops and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, then clears her throat. “I’m not currently dating anyone.”
“Huh,” Finley says as if this does not surprise her. “Well, I hope when you do, it’s someone that you want your father to get to know.” She gives Evan an adoring smile, and if I didn’t know this was all a ruse, I would completely buy that she’s head over heels for him.
Damn, the girl’s good. I may have to remember that she is an expert liar.
“I certainly hope everything continues to go well,” Mary Grace says. “It could make things very awkward in the office if the two of you have any tension, or, heaven forbid, break up.”
Finley gives her a smile. “Oh, I’m not letting Evan get away.”
Mary Grace looks at Evan. “I hope there’s not a time when you want to get away then.”
She’s such a bitch.
Evan, normally completely out of his element in social situations like this, gives Mary Grace a confident, calm smile. “I’d marry her tomorrow if she’d say yes. I have no intention of going anywhere.”
Mary Grace’s brows rise. “Just be sure that you keep your personal lives outside of the office.”
Finley laughs. “Now that’s impossible, isn’t it? When you are completely involved with someone, madly in love, that touches every part of your life. I’m afraid that it’s impossible for me to even look at Evan without thinking…verypersonalthings.”
