Page 22 of Boss's Baby: A Fake Fiance Romance

“Easy, Dad,” said Sam.

Dad replied with a wave of his hand through the air. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back at work tomorrow.”

“Is that what the doctor said?” asked Sam.

A pursing of his lips sent the answer to that question.

“What’d he say, Dad?” I asked. “And don’t make me go get him.”

“He told me to take the rest of the year off, at least.”

“Done,” said Sam. “I’ll take over for you while you’re gone.”

“I’ll take over,” I said. “Might as well start preparing for the job now.”

“Or maybe I should get a chance to show that I’m the right man for the job,” said Sam.

“You’ve had your chance for the last ten ye—”

Dad raised his finger and narrowed his eyes.

“Sorry, sorry,” I said.

“He said I should take some time off work, like I said. And he also said that I should try to get out of the city for the holidays, be someplace quiet.”

“Back home,” said Sam.

“Right,” said Dad. “They want to keep me here overnight for observation. Waste of time if you ask me, but insurance rules. Tonight I’ll be having my things packed to go back to the estate in the morning. And yes, I will be working.”

“Dad,” said Sam. “The doctor—”

“Sitting around doing nothing will be worse for me than at least keeping an eye on things. And I plan on having both of you around to pick up my slack.”

Sam and I eyed each other.

“And we’re coming back too,” I said. “This’ll be great—we haven’t done Christmas back home in years.”

We’d spent Thanksgiving back at the house, but that had been a rare event and only happened because Dad was meeting with some associates. A regular family Christmas was almost unheard of. We were all so busy, we were usually lucky to be able to swing by each other’s apartments for a quick drink and gift exchange.

“I’ll help with work,” said Sam. “But we’re going to be keeping a close eye on you.”

“Don’t need to treat me like a baby,” said Dad. “Just be within yelling distance if I keel over.” He sighed, as if more annoyed by what had happened than anything else. “Anyway, Sam, I need to speak with Joshua. Alone.”

“Huh?” asked Sam, clearly surprised. “About what?”

“About the company.”

“But I’m part of the company.”

“About taking over the company. Joshua’s the one I picked for the job, and we didn’t have a chance to finish our talk before this bullshit.” He waved his hand vaguely in front of his chest.

Sam opened his mouth to speak but closed it when he likely realized arguing with the old man was about as pointless as it gets.

“Fine. I’ll be outside.” One more hard glance in my direction, and he was gone.

Dad took in a slow breath, as if unsure where to begin. “Have a seat, son.”

I did, dropping into the chair next to the bed.

“So, you’re the one who’s going to fill my shoes.”

“Not going to be easy.”

“You’re damn right about that. You think work’s hard now? Wait until you’re the man where the buck stops. Good chance you’ll be in a bed right next to mine before the year’s out.”

I replied with a weak smile.

“But your brother had a point.”

“About what?’

“About your past. Sure, the military got the worst parts of you straightened out, but you know damn well that you spent too much of your twenties screwing around. It’s only because you’ve been busting your ass these last few years doing the kind of work I know you’re capable of that I’m handing things over to you and not Sam.”

“OK, so I screwed around. But that’s all behind me.”

“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But you’ve got a reputation. And I want that reputation good and behind you before you take the reins.”

“You mean with women?”

He nodded slowly. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

“Fine—no dating or anything until I’m settled in. That’s, uh, a long time, but I can manage.”

He shook his head. “Not what I mean.” Dad glanced away for a moment, as if trying to figure out where to begin. “Back when I was younger, your age, I got up to the same sort of BS—women, drinking, parties. And let me tell you, the place that all takes you is a place you don’t want to be. But then I met your mother.”

I said nothing, letting him go on.

“Being married changes a man. And having kids…it makes you one. The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew without a doubt I was done with the bullshit. Everything from that point on was about you, your mother, and then Sam.”

My mouth opened slightly as I realized what he was likely about to say next.

“I want you married, Joshua. I want you married to a good woman who you can work to keep happy in the day and come home to at night. And I want you to have kids.” He laughed. “I mean, I want you to have kids, and I want to have grandkids. You know how much your mother talked about what it’d be like to see her grandkids for the very first time?”

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