Wife to the Boss (Managing the Bosses Series, #6) (6 page)

“Hell, no. He would have sooner been thrown off the Grand Canyon than cry as a kid. I mean the other day when we found you in the garage.” He shuddered. “Alright. Next subject. I'm over this one.”

She rolled her eyes and turned back to the stove. “Why are you running late this morning? You're usually in the office by now.”

“I know. I'm just not feeling it.” He let out a long sigh. “Alex and I have been kicking around ideas for how to help me feel more invigorated about working at the firm with you guys, but I'm just not sure it's my type of gig. He needs help, and I'm staying until he finds it, but after that... I don't know. I think it might be time to pack up and try something new. I know we've talked about this before.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him, not liking the way his shoulders slumped forward. The lack of joy in his job was physically affecting him, and after all he'd been through during his divorce he deserved a happy ending. “I think that's a good idea then. We find some new people to step up, and you start living your dreams.” She cracked a few eggs into the pan. “And what are your dreams?”

“To get married and have kids.” His voice was soft. “I know I have to have a career, and I'm good with working hard, but my dream is to have kids with a woman I can't live without. Seems like a farfetched idea, seeing that I have no prospects right now. Though I am trying.” He grinned ruefully and Jamie had no idea what he meant. She could just imagine.

“You're still young, silly. What are you, mid-twenties?”

“Yeah.” He smirked and got up, grabbing a loaf of bread from the pantry and making toast for both of them. “I'm just ready to start dating again. Kristen was a great girl, but I'm thinking I might need someone older. I'm too damn mature for my age.”

“I'll agree with that, though I'm not sure it's a detriment.” Her stomach growled loudly. “I didn't have dinner last night. Sorry, I just realized.”

“You gotta take care of you and that baby, silly girl.” He stopped beside her and took the spatula. “You butter the toast and I'll finish this. I always tear the bread when I do it.”

“Brute.” She laughed and got the butter out of the fridge.

He made some funny masculine sound and bounced his shoulders as she walked toward the counter. Mark needed a good woman. One who would love him the way he deserved to be loved. Jamie just hoped he could find her before he settled. Guys with their eyes on the prize of forever usually wanted forever to start now.

Finding the right girl would take time, and that required patience, something that Mark didn't seem to have an ounce of.

“This is taking forever,” he grumbled as she laughed. “What?”

“Nothing.” Jamie shook her head and let her thoughts fade. He would find someone, and she planned on trying to help if he’d let her. Now to make some friends worthy of Mark's time.

One more thing to do.

J
amie couldn't help but mull through her conversation with Mark over breakfast as she drove to the office. He wanted simplicity in his life, and yet he was just as brilliant as Alex, but in a different way. The desire to help him find someone was almost overwhelming, but she tucked it away to worry about later. Mark was a big boy. He could figure things out himself. At least for now.

She only knew one woman who might be of any interest to him, and there was no way she was mentioning her sister to him. Where Christine was definitely a looker, she was a drama queen with enough issues to get her own daytime talk show. Nope. She couldn’t put Mark through that.

And she's still married.
Jamie parked the car and walked in, and found Paul walking around the cafeteria area aimlessly. She walked up beside him and repositioned her bag. “Hey.”

“Oh, hey, Jamie. How are you?” He glanced over and gave her a sleepy smile, trying to unsuccessfully stifle a yawn.

“Good. You look like you've been up all night. Partying too much?” She lifted her eyebrow and grabbed an apple from the fruit cart in front of them.

“I wish. I'm studying for another investment dealer exam. They get old after a while, but if you want to sell certain products... you take their damn tests.” He yawned again. “I wish my reason was partying or even being here working, but it's not.”

Jamie reached over and rubbed the top of his back. “See if you can get your stuff done and go study at home.”

“No way. There's too much going on in the office already. I could hear Alex yelling down the hall this morning before the sun came up. I have enough issues in my life. Getting fired isn't something I want added to the list. I'm steering clear today.” He smirked. “Thanks for caring.”

“Of course.” They walked to the front and he plucked her apple from her hand.

“My treat.”

“Good thing I'm a cheap date.” She picked up the apple and took a bite of it as they walked to the elevator.

“A date? What's that?” He snorted as they got into the elevator. “I swear I haven't been on a real date in months.”

“You and Kristen went on a few dates, didn't you?” Jamie pressed the button and leaned against the wall nearest her, grateful that no one else got in with them.

“Not really. I tried to get her to go on a real date with me, but she was too torn with upsetting you guys, heading back home, dealing with stuff from her past. Too much baggage.” He shrugged and lifted the small white container he'd gotten downstairs to his nose, breathing in deeply. “Did you know that Jessie down there in the cafeteria makes the best eggs in the world?”

Jamie laughed and got out of the elevator, holding it for him. “No, but I'm thinking a date might be a good thing.”

“Date? With you?” Alex stopped at his door and lifted his eyebrow as Jamie walked in with Paul.

“Be serious.” She gave him a silly smile.

Alex turned his attention toward Paul and narrowed his eyes just slightly. “Ten mistakes on the last file you gave me. Get more sleep. You're slipping.”

Jamie followed Alex into his office, closing the door with the back of her foot just after giving Paul a quick apologetic look. By the stiff position of Alex's broad shoulders, she could tell that something was off. It usually was.

“Hi, baby.” She set her stuff down and walked over as he dropped down in his chair with a loud sigh.

“Hey.” He ran his fingers down his face as she gripped his shoulders and worked her fingers into the firm muscles, trying to help ease the tension in him.

“What's going on and how can I help?” She leaned down and kissed the side of his face.

He ran his hands over hers, squeezing tightly and then releasing her to stand up. He walked to the windows and slipped his hands into his pockets.

“Telco Investments is looking to take a large share of the market this year.” He glanced over his shoulder. “And my company is at the top of their list.”

“And?” She walked over and wrapped her arms around him, leaning in to press her cheek to his strong back. “You say no.”

“It doesn't exactly work like that, Jamie.” He turned in her arms and wrapped his around her. “It's going to turn into a hostile takeover if I don't fix a few things that have unraveled due to the scandal with Nicholas.”

“So we fix them.” She glanced up at him, trying to keep things simple. He had a way of turning everything into something complex, but it was part of his charm.

“I wish it were that easy.” He glanced down the table before giving her a look. “Please tell me that you're not feeding Lilliana an apple for breakfast. She needs far more than that, Jamie.”

“I had a huge breakfast with your brother, silly. Benton loved the omelet I made him. He's a happy boy this morning.” She lifted up and captured his face in her hands before dotting his lips with kisses. “Stop worrying about me. You have enough to worry about.”

“This coming from the woman who has a death wish lately.” He kissed her again a few times. “Paul's slipping. I don't know what's up with that guy, but I need to sit down and have a long conversation with him.”

“Just do it when you're in a better mood.” She kissed him again and pulled out of his hold. “I have a few things to catch up on, but is there something I can do that might help you with the takeover stuff?”

“Yeah, actually, I need you to work with me this afternoon and evening to clean up a few journals and get a report together that details our strengths and weaknesses.” He turned back to the window. “If you get tired later, you can go home and rest, but I'd like to have you stay with me as long as you can manage without overdoing it.”

“I'm here for you.” She picked up her stuff and slipped out the main door to walk down the hall to her office, instead of going through Alex’s door that lead to hers. She waved at the secretary as she passed, letting him know she was in her office. After closing her door, she sat down to get working on the list of things she needed to do. Being in the hospital for a few days hadn't done her any favors.

*

“H
ey. You wanna grab some lunch?” Mark stuck his head into her office just before two.

She glanced down at the clock and let out a yelp. “Two o'clock? Good grief!”

“Right? I got busy, too, but we gotta eat.” He walked in and stopped just inside the door. “We can grab Alex something, too.”

Alex stopped by the door. “I'd rather go out.”

“You two go.” Jamie smiled at the two handsome brothers. “I'm going to grab something I have in the freezer here. I want to get through my stuff so I can help this afternoon with the stuff you have for me.” She stood and stretched, loving how Alex's eyes moved along her body.

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“Okay. We won’t be gone long. You want us to bring you something back?” Alex smiled and moved past Mark to kiss Jamie on the lips.

“Nope. Just you.” She winked at him and patted his derrière, laughing at Mark as he groaned dramatically.

“You guys should get a room.”

“During lunch?” Alex didn’t look like he minded the idea.

“Go and eat, you two!” Jamie laughed. “I have work to do.” She leaned forward and up on her toes to whisper in Alex’s ear, “I’ll see about the room later” as she walked out of her office and down the hall.

A few of the female accountants were standing by the Coke machine, laughing about something. One of them glanced over and nodded. “Hey, Jamie. How are you feeling? Heard you took a nasty fall on Monday.”

“Yeah. It was dumb, but I'm good. Better.” She pulled her lunch from the freezer and worked on getting it unwrapped. “How is everyone doing?”

“Good, just talking about the new receptionist.” Candace walked over and leaned against the counter next to Jamie. “He's super cute. You did that on purpose, right?”

“What?” Jamie glanced over to her. “No. He's qualified and didn't show any body parts during the interview. Every other candidate did. I guess they thought they were interviewing with Alex.”

“No effing way.” Jasmine walked over to join them. “The chicks who interviewed were dressed inappropriately?”

“Most of them.” Jamie shrugged and popped her food into the microwave. “I guess people think that one way to score a billionaire is to work for him.”

“Worked for you.” Candace squeezed her shoulder softly.

“Right?” Jamie laughed, forgetting how much she enjoyed the two women. They were a little older than her, but people she could see herself hanging out with.

“Hey, we're going to get a drink later tonight. You wanna come with us?” Jasmine popped the top on her Diet Coke and took a quick sip.

“I'd love to, but Alex and I are expecting.” Jamie smiled and rubbed her tummy.

“Oh my goodness!” Candace blurted out. “Does anyone know?”

“No, but we don't care if they find out. Everything looks good and we're done with all the initial testing and stuff. The baby’s healthy and should be here in seven months or so.” Jamie pulled her food out, wincing as it burnt her fingers.

“And you fell?” Candace shook her head. “Jamie, you have crazy good luck.” She laughed.

“You know what this means, right?” Jasmine turned her attention to Candace as Jamie glanced over her shoulder at them.

Candace nodded and smiled. “Baby shower. And a big one!”

Jamie laughed. “Why are you guys so excited about a baby shower? You just love cake or something?”

“Well, there is that, but it means the afternoon off for one, and two, I get to put my catering skills to use.” Candace was beaming. “I swear when I retire from here, I'm going to open my own restaurant.”

“I didn't know you liked to cook.” Jamie grabbed a handful of paper napkins and nestled her small tray of food on top of them. “I love to eat.”

“We should have a girls’ night soon. We can have it at my apartment and I'll cook us something delicious from scratch.” Candace glanced between them.

“Or we could do it at my house. We have a huge kitchen to play around in.” Jamie smiled as the realization that making friends might not be such a bad thing. After having a knife wedged in her back too many times, she'd written off the idea of trying to get close to anyone years before. Maybe things were changing.

“Oh, man. To see the Reid mansion? I would love that.” Jasmine smiled.

“Then it's a date.” Jamie walked to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “Let me find a day that works and I'll let you know.”

“Awesome. If you change your mind about tonight's happy hour, just come find us. They have White Russians without the liquor, too, you know.”

Jamie chuckled at the thought of drinking a glass of milk while everyone else was getting toasty. Things surely had changed.

*

T
he day rushed by faster than she wanted it to, and the brilliance of the sunset was painting her office with burnt oranges and reds by the time she glanced up again. A growl left her and she got up, knocking on the door that led from her office to Alex’s.

His muffled voice was all she needed to hear.

“I'm done with my stuff. It took longer than I thought.” She walked in and ran her fingers through her hair before reaching back and putting her long blond locks up into a messy bun. “You ready to get started on your stuff”?”