Page 52 of Mated To My Boss

Madeline smiles and settles into her chair after setting a new record for how quickly she can sort through paperwork. It's barely halfway to lunch, and she's earned herself another free morning.

“Finishing work early gives me a chance to do what I actually want to do.” She goes to pick up her knitting supplies and gets started on it.

“Ah, and here I thought you were at this office because you wanted to be a lawyer.”

“That'll probably be on the side,” she jokes.

A small laugh escapes, one that hasn't been heard in a while. Since that night at Madeline's house, sadness lingers like a cloud over her head.

Another issue is that I see she's becoming more concerned about Cora. All I want is to make that cloud disappear completely.

I should do something nice for her.

The gears in my brain turn while I think of something Madeline will like, something to keep her spirits up. Suddenly, an idea occurs to me.

Madeline gets up with a sigh. “I'll be right back.”

“Take your time,” I reply, “you have a lot of it right now.”

Normally, I'd be more curious about where Madeline is going–and I still am–but I need her out of the office to start my plan.

She walks away, and I immediately rush to her bag of supplies, noting her scent getting further from the office.

I look through the bag and see a bunch of stuff, but I note that her yarn is running low. There's a business card at the bottom of the bag that I reach for and read.

“An address,” I muse. “It's probably the store where she gets her supplies.”

I put everything back in the bag, very pleased with what I've discovered. Then I head back to my chair with a smile on my face and the address in my head.

Madeline walks back into the office, almost breaking my concentration. I fix my eyes on the computer screen while she watches me suspiciously. I look back at her and realize she hasn't sat down yet.

“What's up?”

“What's up with you?” she inquires, narrowing her eyes.

“No clue what you're talking about.”

Thankfully, she drops it and returns to her knitting. I glance at the clock, seeing that I have just under two hours before lunch.

Now's the perfect time.

I clear my throat before pushing my chair back. “Um, I have to run out for a bit.”

“Where are you going?” she asks.

“I have to meet a potential client for an early lunch.”

Madeline raises an eyebrow at me. “You don't have any meetings lined up for today.”

“It just came up. I took the call just after you left.”

“Hmm.” I can tell she has questions, but she says nothing more.

I turn off my computer, still reciting the address of her yarn supply store in my head. When I get to the door, I pause to look back.

“If I'm not back for lunch, you don't need to wait for me.”

I leave the office before she can respond. My plan involves her not being in my office when I return.

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