Page 133 of Grumpy Boss of the Year

“Well, actually, we just got back from the Caribbean recently,” I say, grinning wickedly, thinking about our time there. "And let's just say that it was a very pleasant experience."

"Oh my gosh, tell me more," Marie says, leaning forward. "I want all the dirty details."

"Um, are you sure? You seem a bit young to?—"

She points at her protruding belly. "I'm a bit too young for what? I'm pregnant, if you missed that, Elisabetta." She giggles. "I've had sex."

"Yeah, but I don't know, I don’t wanna corrupt you or anything."

"I've been corrupted. I mean, yeah, it sucks that I got pregnant the first time I had sex with a douchebag of a football player who I will never, ever sleep with again, even though he's called me like a billion times. But that is a conversation for another night."

"Oh." All of us women look at each other. This is more information than we've ever gotten about the identity of Marie's baby ever. I can tell from the expression on Skye's face that she's surprised. For some reason, she really thought that Gabe was the father, even though it'd been quite clear to me that he was definitely not sticking his quill in that pot.

"So, tonight, we are going to bar hop," Lila says, "and we'll be here for two drinks, and then we're gonna go to the next bar and then the next, and then I have a special surprise."

"Please tell me you're not getting a male stripper." I give her a look.

"Would I do that?"

"Yeah, you would," Skye says, giggling. "And I'm totally down with that."

"Yeah, I'm totally down with that, too." Juniper grins. "Though don't tell Remington. He does have a penchant for getting jealous."

"That man loves you so much," I say, staring at her.

"Yeah, he does, and it makes me feel like a million dollars. I mean, how lucky are we that we've all found love with men who work together and who are best friends? Like, our friendship will last forever."

“I mean, I’m happy for you guys,” Marie says, looking sad for a couple of seconds. “I think that’s cool. Hopefully one day, I’ll find love, too."

"Oh, darling, you're gonna find an amazing man," I say to her.

"Really, you think so? I'm eighteen and pregnant, living with my brother and his fiancée." She looks over at Lila. "And I love you, trust me, but come on, what man is gonna want that baggage, you know?"

"It’s not baggage," I say. “You shouldn’t think of yourself like that."

"I mean, a single mom who doesn't even have a college degree and is working as an assistant to an attorney who thinks she's an imbecile and stupid."

"What? Please tell me Gabe didn't say that to you." I cross my arms. "Because I will call him right now and tell him off."

"No, he didn't say that exactly. But he definitely thinks I am immature, though."

I press my lips together. "But who cares what he thinks, right?"

"Yeah, I guess." She shrugs. "So, I guess I'm gonna drink my orange juice like a good girl." She grins. "I can't wait till I have this baby."

"Oh?" I stare at her.

"Why are you giving me that look?" she asks.

"Because you do know that you'll still be underage even after you have the baby, so you won't be able to drink?"

"I know that. I've never drunk before in my life." She winks at me. "Um, okay. I mean, honestly, I drank once, and that's the night that, well…" She looks at her belly. "So, believe you me, that's not something I'm rushing to do again with or without a baby in my stomach."

"Okay, well, that's good to hear."

My phone beeps then, and I look down. It's Liam.

"You cannot answer that. No men tonight," Skye says, trying to grab my phone from me. "One second. Let me just see if it's anything important."

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