Page 12 of Her Irish Boss

But, damn, she'd take it over nothing.

“I sent you a text, so you have it now.”

Of course, he'd already texted her. Always efficient. She pulled out her phone from her back pocket.

This is Brogan.

It made her smile. Simple and to the point.

He waited a brief moment as if he might add to it, but then turned and walked away, disappearing back into his office, only to reappear fully dressed in his suit and a leather folder in his hand. He took long strides out of the restaurant without giving her a second glance.

Did he realize that every female, literally, she scanned the room, everysinglefemale in the place watched him leave? Probably. His brother Cathal was obvious about his attraction to and from women. She could tell that from their quick meeting. She wasn't sure about Rian. Although he was as good looking, he seemed more modest. Quiet.

Katie squealed and grabbed her arm. “I think our bosshas a thing for you! He's never talked to anyone else like that. He actually smiled.”

She shook her head. “No, he doesn't. Have you forgotten how much of a stickler for the rules he is? He fired two people just this week and almost fired Lenny when he asked me out. He's just friendly because he wants me to do this job. He'd never date an employee. Besides, he hasn't said one thing that would make me think that.” Except for the shower comment that morning. But really, anyone could slip up. And if he'd meant it—then she'd missed her opportunity because thinking of him in the shower brought a rush of heat to her cheeks.

“Nope. He issointo you,” Katie said.

“He scowled at me and gave me more work.” If Katie would drop it, maybe Selena could too. She would only drive herself crazy wishing something would happen between them. Because, no matter who it was, her boss, a guy at a bar, she didn't have room to date. Mimi had her complete devotion at this point. No man would take on both of them.

Katie rolled her eyes. “You are so boring. When was the last time you actually went out with a man?”

“Like a serious date? Mimi came to live with me a year ago. So, a year ago.” She pressed her lips together, making her brain come up with a good, rational comment about Brogan. “He told me yesterday that he thought I was a good waitress. I swear that's his only interest in me.”

“Yeah, but other people have been here longer.” Katie's brown eyes shined with excitement.

Selena took Katie by the shoulders. “My first direction to you as your immediate manager is going to be to keep your mouth shut. Brogan—”

“Oh. My. God. You call him Brogan now?”

Shit. “No. I don't. It just slipped out. I met all of the owners yesterday morning when I was late, and in my head, it's hard to call them all Mr. O'Keeley.”

Katie made a noise that implied she didn't agree. “I haven't met all the owners. Sounds like special treatment.”

She'd never live it down if she'd told her what she did to meet them. “Mr. O'Keeleywill fire me if he thinks people are gossiping about the two of us. Nothing is going on. I promise. I'm still completely single and just as sexually frustrated as I was two days ago.”

Did Brogan actually have relationships? It seemed like his natural authority would overpower someone who wasn't prepared to stand up to him. But then, he probably wouldn't like a woman like that. Why in the world was she even contemplating it?

Katie grabbed her hand. “Then let's go out tonight and celebrate your promotion.”

“I don't have the money. You know that.”

“My treat. We'll go out, meet some cute guys, maybe girls in my case, have them buy us drinks. Then declare we're really lovers and leave together. It'll be fun. C'mon.” Katie cut her eyes at her. “I can get my sister to watch your grandmother. For free. She owes me a favor. It’s Thursday night. You know the bars will be full.”

A night out sounded fun. Katie's sister was in nursing school. Besides, it was only for a couple hours.

“I see you've already made up your mind.” Katie danced in a little circle. “I'll pick you up at ten thirty.”

“I need to be back by midnight.” She had an early morning date with her boss.

4

“Now, where have you been hiding that adorable waitress?” Cathal O'Keeley leaned back in the chair at the bank, completely relaxed even though they'd been kept waiting for nearly an hour and the fate of their restaurant rested on securing this loan. Not much made Cathal upset. Well, maybe if the local bar ran out of whiskey.

Brogan narrowed his eyes. He’d avoided both his brothers after Selena’s incident in his office the day before. And now, he had her phone number in his phone, and that made him nervous. He kept his voice even. “I haven't been hiding her. If you got your sorry ass out of bed before noon and came into the restaurant more often, you wouldn't have to ask me that.” He leaned a little closer. “Besides, you know she's off-limits so wipe that dopey smile off your face.”

Cathal, unconcerned, shrugged. “I know the rules, dear brother, but judging by your reaction to her little show yesterday morning, I'm wondering if you remember them.”

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