Page 21 of Grumpy Boss in Love

His eyes narrowed and suspicion gleamed in them as he asked, “No flippant remark?”

“Nope.”

He watched me carefully as he backed away, then he turned around and took off. I followed, and he sighed. “You said you were leaving me alone. The party is in the opposite direction.”

“I’m aware, but I only know this one exit, so you’ll have to put up with my presence for a few more seconds. Sorry to disappoint you.” I held my head straight and picked up my pace.

“You’re leaving already?”

My shoulders sagged with my sigh. “Uh-huh.”

“Why?”

I gave him a side glance. “Parties just aren’t my thing.” My finger immediately rubbed the tip of my nose.

“Liar,” Elliot muttered, side-eying me too as we neared the exit.

“How do you?—?”

“You do that thing with your nose when you fib.”

The polished floor almost caught my jaw. How on earth did he know my tell when I lied? Only my sisters knew it. Not even Megan, who I’d lived with, had picked up on it. Then I was reminded that I’d known Elliot for a year, and I’d probably done thenose thingplenty of times when we interacted in his class.

Huffing, I walked faster. “Mind your business, Elliot.”

“Happily,” he returned dryly.

We stepped through the double glass doors at the same time, glanced at each other, exchanged glares, and turned to stomp in different directions without a word.

8

ELLIOT

Isettled into the plush seat of the limo and blew out a breath. It floated around the car’s interior, resonating with sorrow. The partition separating the front from the rear compartment was down, so the sound caught my driver’s attention.

Gabe glanced in the rearview mirror. However, he didn’t say anything.

Gabe had been my driver since I was twenty. Even though I was an outsider, an illegitimate child, I still carried the name Westwood so I’d always had security too. I chose Gabe because he was much more than a chauffeur. He was ex-military and had expertise in private security.

I’d thought,why hire an entourage of bodyguards and drivers when I could have one guy with all the necessary skills?Despite showing up at the company’s party in a limo—because it was expected of me—staying low-key was a top priority.

“I’m fine, Gabe,” I said in response to his concerned look.

He nodded and maneuvered the vehicle out of the hotel’s parking lot. Along with my cousin Ben, Gabe was someone I respected and trusted. I confided in him sometimes, but he knew me enough to know that talking right now was a no-go.

As the limo moved down the street, my gaze was fixed on the world outside the tinted window. I stewed in anger, hurt, and disdain… These were the typical myriad of dark emotions that enveloped me after an encounter with my father. I often wondered why he’d bothered to claim me as his when my mother showed up on his doorstep.

Something moving in the distance pulled me from my woeful thoughts. I squinted and made out a tiny figure in a gold dress. I was shocked to see Ruby walking after we’d parted ways just minutes ago. What the hell was she doing strolling alone at night?

Her shoulders were hunched and her head was down as she walked. In one hand, she held her purse and in the other, she held a glass that I suspected was from the hotel. When she lifted the glass to drink, I snorted my amusement.

Gabe remembered Ruby from the first time he’d given her a lift home. He slowed down to a crawl and gave me an inquiring look in the mirror.

“Of course,” I said. No way would I let the crazy woman continue her lonely trek.

The limo stopped beside her. Ruby’s steps faltered as she glanced at the vehicle with furrowed eyebrows. For a moment, she looked ready to bolt until I opened the back door. She stared at me and I lifted an eyebrow silently asking her if she was getting in.

Her frown deepened and she didn’t move. I thought she was going to refuse but then her chest rose and fell with a sigh and she trudged toward the open door. She got in and settled into the seat across from me.

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