Page 73 of Bossy Trouble

“Will do.”

“Oh, and Georgia…” he trailed off.

“Yeah?”

“Keep your head up,” he said. “And if you need somewhere to go to, my place is always open for you.”

I smiled my appreciation even though he couldn’t see it. “Thanks, Gar Bear.”

“Never, ever call me that again,” he grouched, and I chuckled as he hung up right before Avery tore in and launched herself into my arms.

* * *

The next day,Donovan wasn’t at work when I went in that morning. Ellen had no idea as to his whereabouts, and I didn’t see him until the afternoon when he called a meeting with some key top-level employees, including myself.

Nerves bounced around in my stomach as I walked into the conference room with the rest of the employees. Donovan sat at the helm of the table and glanced at me the second I walked in. My heart ached when our eyes met, the hurt and guilt returning. He didn’t say anything, simply gesturing to the seat beside him. As I got closer and took my seat, I noticed a bruise on his chin.

“What happened?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

“Lucky shot,” he said before glancing away as the rest of the employees eyed him curiously.

“This meeting is about Moniche,” he said.

I glanced at him sharply.

He didn’t meet my gaze as he continued speaking. “As you know, the company is a recent addition to our conglomerate, and it suffered a great client purge after rumors of bankruptcy. We’ve managed to get some of our major stores back, but now we seem to be on the cusp of losing a major client who is worth nearly a quarter of our profits. The woman is Christine Goodlin.”

“Christine Goodlin? You mean the owner of the chain of department stores?” Fred, the marketing director, commented.

“Yes,” Donovan said.

“Well.” He sat up in his seat. “We definitely can’t afford to lose her. She may still have concerns about the company’s recent bankruptcy. To put her at ease, I think we should throw a gala or a fashion show or something that can show off that we are very profitable as a brand and as a business.”

“That’s an idea,” Donovan said. He wasn’t looking at me, but I got the feeling he was waiting for something. He was expecting me to do something.

“No,” I said, turning to face Donovan. “Christine hates flashy stuff like that. It comes off as pretentious to her.” I turned to the marketing director. “I’ll go meet with her and personally let her know that we’re no longer in the red.”

“Showing is better than telling,” Fred insisted. “Besides, I’m not sure you should be the one meeting with her, seeing as how the company went bankrupt under your directive.”

I blushed. The words may not have been meant offensively, but they were embarrassing nevertheless. Still, I didn’t back down.

“It’s my company, and I have worked with this client for a long time,” I said firmly. I know what she’s like and how she’ll react. Just leave it to me. I’ll get her back. Watch me.”

28

DONOVAN

Icould see the determination glinting clearly from Georgia’s eyes, and it sent an electric feeling through my body.

Where it focused somewhere around my chest.

Shit.

Ever since I figured out that I was in love with Georgia, it seemed I was noticing all the little things she made me feel throughout the day. Such as the way her smile made me feel warm and her gaze got me heated. Or the way her scent was comforting and arousing all at once.

I hated it.

I didn’t want to be in love with her. I didn’t want to be in love with anybody.

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