Page 19 of #Bossholes

Speaking of, where the hell is this date of hers? If she were out here with me—nope. If she were out here with me, there would be several feet between us to maintain a professionaldistance, and we’d be leaving a dinner meeting where she’d be taking notes. Nothing else.

What is wrong with me?

It must have been that double shot espresso I had with dessert. I usually don’t indulge in those things so late, and it’s clearly having a negative effect on my brain.

But instead of saying my goodbyes and promptly walking off like I should, I glance around her, and that’s when I notice the kid—no, teenager—standing behind her. There’s a slight resemblance, and my first thought is that this must be her son, but she’s way too young to have a teenager. I know; I looked at her employee file.

Not only is she an employee of mine, making her extremely off limits, but she’s way too young for me. Fifteen years too young.

And yeah, I know, I should feel ashamed for looking at her personal information, but I needed to know who I was going to be working with and had a very limited window to research. But I don’t remember seeing anything about her family.

“This is your brother?”Real smooth, Brantley.

She’s silent for a moment, and I’m pretty sure she’s either going to ignore me or ask me to stay out of her personal life, but then she nods. It’s slight and if I hadn’t been watching her so intently, I’d have missed it.

The kid in question steps forward, his hands moving rapidly in front of him, and my brows draw together in confusion. He’s a teenager, so this could be an elaborate attempt to give me the finger but then she motions back, and it hits me. This is sign language. Her brother is deaf and for the first time in a long time, I feel inept.

I hate feeling out of my element, like I’m missing out on something vital. I’m usually the one leading conversations, yet here, I’m an outsider. I really don’t like it.

“This is my brother, Colin.” She signs, pointing to me before giving me a small smile. “This is one of my bosses, Brantley. Sorry, Mr. Ellis.”

It’s right there on the tip of my tongue. I want to tell her to call me Brantley, but that’s crossing a line I have no business or desire to cross. “Nice to meet you, Colin.”

I hold out my hand which he shakes with a nice firm grip and continues to sign.

She glances between us, murmuring. “He said it’s nice to meet you too. He likes your suit.”

“Thank you; it’s Tom Ford.”

Not sure why I felt the need to tell him that detail. I’m sure I could have told him it was designed by Bigfoot, and he would’ve thought it was just as cool. Maybe more so.

An uncomfortable silence falls between us, and as time ticks by it becomes clear she’s not going to be the one to break it. Not that it matters. I should say my goodbyes and get my ass back to my penthouse apartment, but I don’t.

Instead I clear my throat, rocking back on my heels. “I had a dinner meeting in the area that ran late. My driver is sick.”

Great, now I sound like a pretentious prick. I’m really winning at life today.

“Your driver, huh?” she scoffs, quickly following it up with a cough, no doubt trying to cover up her contempt. “Sounds fancy. We were heading to my car. Which I drive myself.”

Yep. Definitely a pretentious prick. “I know how to drive, but I like to use that time to catch up on phone calls or emails.”

“Yes. I’ve seen your schedule. You’re a very busy man, Mr. Ellis.”

Is that an insult? I don’t get the impression she means it that way, but why does it suddenly seem like a bad thing? Again, ridiculous because work is everything I need.

I shift again, this time shoving my hands in my pocket, and notice the books her brother has clutched between his hands. “Do you like to read?”

Such a stupid question. Of course he does. He has books in his hands for Christ’s sake. It’s not like he takes them home and uses them for kindling.Get it together, Ellis.I can argue circles around the other lawyers in town, I don’t back down from high maintenance, high profile clients, yet in front of my secretary and her brother, my tongue is tied. Communication, which is usually my strong suit, is strongly lacking tonight.

Fortunately for me, Colin doesn’t seem to notice, his face lighting up with a smile as he nods, his hands moving a mile a minute.

“It’s one of his favorite things to do.” His sister pauses for a second, waiting for him to continue. “He likes mysteries and books with a little supernatural in them.” Her eyes meet mine, a hint of sadness swirling in their depths. “He started reading when our parents died.”

Her words are quiet, and they hang between us for several beats.

I don’t know either of them, evidenced by the fact I don’t know this woman’s name, but I feel that grief all the same. It’s the same weight I carry with me, that I’ve had since my sister died nine years ago. I understand what it’s like to lose someone close to you, someone you count on, someone who counted on you. That kind of heartbreak never goes away.

Sure, it lessens with time, but the darkness is always with you.

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