Page 69 of The Boss

“Meet baby Connor. Connor, this is Uncle Zac.”

“Hi there,” I said awkwardly, looming over them like a mountain.

“Can you hold him while I get the coffee?”

I stiffened. “No, I—”

But she was already pressing the baby into my arms. I barely caught him in time, heart lurching at the sudden weight of him. He was so small. Warm. His tiny face scrunched up in protest before settling, one hand balling into a fist against my chest.

Melissa smirked. “You’ll be fine. Just don’t drop him.”

“Very reassuring.”

She disappeared into the kitchen, leaving me standing there, holding an infant like he was made of glass. I’d never wanted kids. Never saw the appeal. I didn’t know what to do with them, how to talk to them. I didn’t even like them. And yet…

The baby made a soft sound, snuggling deeper against me. His scent—milk and something faintly sweet—rose up, triggering some deep, primal part of me I hadn’t known existed. Before I realized it, I’d adjusted my arms, holding him more securely. The feeling was strange, almost foreign. Like holding something too delicate for a man like me. Like I wasn’t built for this—but for some reason, he didn’t seem to mind. He was soft,fragile, completely defenseless. The thought stirred something unsettling in my chest.

Melissa returned a few minutes later, mugs in hand. Her eyes flicked to me, to the baby curled against me like he belonged there. A knowing smile touched her lips. “I knew you’d like him.”

I scowled. “I never said that.”

“Uh-huh.” She put the mugs on the coffee table, then carefully took the baby from me. His teeny hand curled around my finger, and for a moment he wouldn’t let go. Melissa smiled. “He likes you, too.” She flopped onto the couch, rocking the baby in her arms as she motioned for me to sit.

I settled into a sofa chair across from her. “So, how’s mom-life treating you?”

Melissa let out a breathy laugh. “Don’t even get me started. It’s exhausting, messy, and I don’t think I’ve had a full night’s sleep since he was born.” She shook her head, but there was warmth in her eyes. “John helps as much as he can, but with work, he’s gone a lot, so most of it falls on me. Some days I feel like I’m running on fumes.” She glanced down at the baby, a small smile curving her lips. “But then he looks at me with those big eyes, like I’m his whole world, and somehow, it’s all worth it. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m glad. Motherhood suits you.”

She leaned in and took a sip of her coffee, her eyes roaming over my face. “So, catch me up. What’s going on at Nova? Who’s suffering in my absence?”

I smirked. “Everyone. But mostly me.”

She laughed. “I warned you this company would fall apart without me.”

“Your replacement did a decent job.”

“Did?”

I exhaled, trying to sound casual. “He’s one of our new software developers. Chris Landry. I… got to know him betterand thought he had potential. So, I made him my PA. But things didn’t work out, and he went back to his original post. Now I’ve got Shirley.”

Melissa pulled a face. “Shirley?”

“She’s… competent.”

“That bad, huh?”

I didn’t answer, but she got the message. We talked shop for a while, covering the usual chaos of Nova Systems—the board’s latest grumblings, a merger in the works, the endless struggle to keep certain departments from killing each other. After a while, Melissa leaned back, tilting her head.

“And how’s the wedding coming along? Only two more weeks, right?”

A spike of tension ran through me. “It’s fine.” The words came out clipped, automatic. Too automatic.

Melissa’s brow lifted. “Just fine?”

I hesitated, then lifted a shoulder. “Chantelle has everything under control.”

She rolled her eyes. “I bet she does. But how doyoufeel about all of it?” When I didn’t answer, her gaze sharpened. “Zac,” she said softly. “What’s wrong?”

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