Page 12 of Stuck with My Billionaire Protector

“Of course, just please try to be civil.”

“I’m not making any promises.”

Parker chuckles as he walks out of my office.

I’m just about to log on to my computer to start reviewing the materials for the afternoon meeting when my phone rings.

Roxanne. Normally, she is the one person I like hearing from, but the last time I saw her, the conversation hadn’t reflected favorably on me.

Still, Roxanne is always there for me and for her to call in the middle of the business day, it must be important. I reluctantly answer the phone.

“Dylan James Chase,” she says before I can even say “hello.” She only ever calls me by my full name when she’s annoyed with me.

Unsure of what I did, I reply, “A very good day to you too, Roxanne.” I sigh as I pull up my email.

“Don’t you take that tone with me, young man.”

I smile. I have a feeling I know why she’s calling. She’s been on me lately to find someone and settle down. She should know by now I have no interest in love or relationships. Sure, I have flings and casual relationships—mainly for the sex—but I also occasionally need a plus-one for events. After what I’ve been through, I find it nearly impossible to let my guard down. Roxanne knows all of this since she was there through it all.

“Oh, no. Don’t tell me you’re calling to resume our last conversation,” I plead.

“Dylan, I’m only trying to look out for you, like your mother would want and I’m not getting any younger. I’m almost seventy-five. I’d like to see you settle down with a wife and a couple of kids before I die.”

“Roxanne, you know I’m not interested in a serious relationship.”

“What about that girl you almost married? You were serious enough to propose to that one.”

Does she always have to remind me of that mistake? “And you know why it didn’t work out and why it made me even more reluctant to try again.”

“You can’t hide your heart forever, Dylan. That’s a lonely way to live. It just so happens that I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

Here we go again…

“Roxanne, I’m really too busy for this right now. Can we talk about it later?”

“If you promise me that you won’t dismiss it out of hand, I’ll let it go for now. But we will talk about it later. There’s a really beautiful girl that’s been coming into the bar the last few weeks. She’s outgoing and kind. I think she’s only been in town a few months and doesn’t know a lot of people.”

“Okay, Roxanne. I’ll call you back later,” I say as I roll my eyes at her match-making. These attempts are not new to me.

“I’ll hold you to it. I want grandchildren!”

Roxanne never had any biological children. As much as I consider her a second mother, she treats me like the son she never had.

“Goodbye, Roxanne. I’ll try to stop by later,” I reply before quickly ending the call.

Moments later, there is a knock on my office door.

“Come in.”

The sound of heels alerts me that it’s probably Jocelyn. I sense her standing in front of me, but I don’t look up from the documents I’m reviewing.

“Mr. Chase, I just wanted to let you know that I’m settled in. Parker has filled me in on the 4 o’clock meeting. I went ahead and finalized the arrangements. Is there anything else you’d like me to do right now?”

“No, thank you. If I need you, I’ll call you,” I say abruptly, still looking at the documents. I expect her to realize she’s been dismissed and she should leave my office, but she’s still standing there. “You can leave now.”

“Mr. Chase, I just want to say again how sorry I am about your car. I really appreciate the opportunity to work here, and I hope we can develop a productive and cordial working relationship.”

I finally close the file and look at her.

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