Page 40 of Her Irish Boss

She snorted. “Yeah. Because that's a better title than girlfriend.”

“Brogan is stupid.” Cathal winked. “You could always demand the money that comes with a title like that.”

“No.” She shook her head, at least sure of that. “I'm not going to leverage any part of this relationship.”

The buzzer near the front door rang. “That would be thedelivery.” Cathal stood up, finished his coffee, and tossed the cup into the small trash can behind the hostesses’ desk.

Selena rose to handle the delivery, but he held up his hand. “Sit. Do the advertising thing. I've devoted myself to staying here for the day and going to dinner. Might as well do something useful.”

“Thanks.” She watched him disappear down the long hallway to the kitchen. His brothers didn't give him enough credit. Cathal was smart. He just didn't have any focus because they treated him like a kid. He played the part.

Rian opened the front door, a sour look in place.

She hitched her thumb over her shoulder. “Your bossy brother is in his office. Cathal's on the loading dock.”

He blinked, giving her a small smile. “Good morning to you, too, Selena. And here I thought my morning was rotten, but something obviously irked you more. Or someone.”

“The latter, but I won't waste your time with it.” She relaxed her shoulders. “Do you want to talk about your morning?”

“Not really. But I received an interesting text message from Brogan telling me we're to go to dinner at Five-Seven-Nine tonight with the banker.” He crossed his arms. “And that you'll be joining us.”

“I would ask if you disapprove, but it was Brogan's idea. You know, to have his VP of Advertising there.”

Rian smirked and looked exactly like Cathal for a moment. “A promotion?”

“No. A way to make sure Jacob didn't have a clue that Brogan and I have a relationship if you'd call it that.” Because as far as she was concerned, what they had was a big mess.

“Jacob?”

Selena set her hands in her lap. She hated the testinessin her voice. “My ex-boyfriend and your banker. He asked me out to get reacquainted.”

“In front of Brogan?”

“Yes. It was Brogan's idea for the group date tonight. That was after he introduced me as his VP of Advertising.” Dumb title.

Rian ran a hand over his mouth.

“I'm glad it makes you laugh.”

“No.” He shook his head. “It makes me incredibly angry at my brother on your behalf that he wouldn’t acknowledge what you have together.”

“Cathal already threatened to kick him out of the family and officially adopt me.”

Rian stepped over and kissed her on the forehead. It was completely platonic, but it eased a lot of her frustration at the situation. People supported her. That was a new position to find herself in. Newer than even VP of Advertising. She was usually supporting the people around her, helping her mom through a constant string of disastrous relationships, and now taking care of Mimi.

“Absolutely.” He stalked away, taking long strides to the office door, opening it without knocking.

Selena chewed on her bottom lip. If she ever got back to the point where shewantedto kiss Brogan again, she'd have to remember to lock it.

Shaking her head, she pulled up the list of websites and publications that Brogan mentioned wanting the advertising to run. The title might have been a lame way to cover up their relationship, but she'd be the best damn VP of Advertising possible. Seeing Jacob brought back the shame and frustration she'd felt when he'd broken it off the first time. The distance made their break-up an easy excuse.But when she looked at the future with Jacob, she could only see the power difference between them.

He had a college education. A good-paying job. Back then, he had aspirations to run a bank someday. And she had nothing. No degree. No prospects. And he let her know it.

Is that why Brogan's flip-flop treatment bothered her so much? A headache started along the base of her skull, radiating upward as reality slammed into her. She'd ended it once because she felt as though she weren’t someone's equal. She and Brogan were headed in the exact same direction.

10

Brogan refused to pace. Waiting on Selena to arrive at the swanky restaurant killed him. Jacob sat at the bar, sharing a drink with Cathal and Rian. He'd expected them to all come together, based on the carpool idea from that morning, but Selena wanted to go home and shower and change.

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