Page 67 of Grumpy Boss of the Year

"So is she excited to go to Italy to meet her future husband?" Lucinda sounds sarcastic. "Oh yeah, and does she know who her mother and father really are? Does she know that?" She pauses. "Oh, wait, I already know the answer to that. And you're not even gonna tell her the truth.

"Really, Lucinda? I don't need this right now." I frown and pause as I see that Elisabetta is hurrying back. "I'll speak to you later. I have to go."

Chapter Fifteen

Elisabetta

The week has gone by in a flurry. I spent what felt like hours looking at different color options for logos, trying to come up with ideas for Oasis Paradise, and still, I feel slightly nervous about the trip. I’m not really sure why Liam wants me to go. A part of me wonders if it is because he wants to have his wicked way with me. Maybe it is an excuse to get me into his bed once and for all.

I stare at the suitcases in front of me as I wait for him to get our tickets so that we can check in for our flight. I'm nervous, and I'm not really sure that going on this trip is the smartest decision I've ever made, but it is exciting. Even Skye was taken aback when I told her what was happening. Skye, Lyla, and Juniper all believe that the entire trip is just a way for Liam to get into my pants, but I’m not gonna let that happen. Definitely not.

"Okay, so we're all checked in," Liam says as he comes up to me. "Our flight leaves in a little over three hours. Would you like to get something to eat or drink?"

"No, I'm okay, thanks." I stare at him. He's wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and a crisp blue shirt that brings out the blue inhis eyes. He looks gorgeous, of course, and I've noticed several women staring at him as we've walked by.

"So, did you bring a bikini?" he asks me, and I stare at him.

"Didyoubring a bikini?"

"Oh, yes," he says, laughing. "I brought five! A white one, a blue one, a red one, a black one, and—" He cackles. "Sorry, I meant briefs."

"Okay, then, so you're saying that we're gonna have time to go swimming."

"I'm saying that we're gonna have time to indulge in everything the island has to offer because that's the point of the trip."

"The point of the trip is for us to go swimming?"

"The point of the trip is for us to spend time on the island to ensure that it has enough to offer that guests would be interested in."

"Oh, that makes sense," I say, feeling slightly goofy.

"And I mean, it doesn’t hurt that we'll both be there." He smiles. "Don’t you agree?"

"I don't know what you want me to say to that, Liam."

"I want you to say that you think I am the best boss you've ever had in your life."

"You know what's crazy? You're the only boss I've ever had in my life, and I still don’t think you're the best boss.

"I mean, let's be real, you're lucky to have me. I bet you I'm the best assistant you've ever had in your life."

He chuckles. "I think that I'm going to have to pretend I didn't hear that comment."

"What? At least I haven’t quit on you like all the others."

"That is true." He nods. "So, did you have to tell any men that you're going to be gone for the week?"

"No. Did you have to tell any women, like Lucinda?"

"We're not going because she was gonna show up and… Lucinda would have no issues with me going on this trip."

"Would she have issues if she knew you were going on this trip with me, though? I stare at him.

"What do you want me to say to that? Would you like me to say she would have issues, or would you like me to say she wouldn't have issues?"

"Why would she have issues if she wasn't your woman?"

"I don't know. Why would she? You tell me. Would you have issues if I was going on this trip with someone else?"

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