Page 3 of The Boss Situation

Wonder if Billie and Harper know their secretary is five seconds from asking for my number.

Hannah finishes the phone call, then stands and sashays to Billie’s office. She knocks on the door and then cracks it open.

“Your seven o’clock meeting has arrived,” Hannah says.

Everything in this waiting area is a distraction and a complete waste of money. From the $200,000 pristine white sofa with claw feet to the gaudy chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It might be made from diamonds, considering she’s the heiress of Calloway Diamonds. In the center of the room are oddly shaped vases on museum-like tables with lights pointing down on them.

I roll my eyes, knowing I couldn’t be friends with someone who decorated their office like this. She’s a perfect example of the type of woman I avoid—one who flaunts her wealth because she can.

“Send them in,” Billie harshly commands.

She must wake up rude.

I remind myself that I cannot go back and forth with her today, even if she tries to pull me into an argument.

It never fails; our conversation always grows heated, and then, somehow, we’re full-blown pissed at one another. The two of us are never on the same page. If I say the sky is blue, she’ll say it’s purple, even if she knows she’s wrong, just to aggravate me more. It’s like she gets off on being under my skin, rotting away my flesh. She’s like bacteria, and I want to rid myself ofwantingher. She’s a curse to all men. None have ever survived her.

Hannah returns to me and escorts me inside. Billie’s light-blue eyes pierce through me, and her signature grimace remains firmly in place.

A smirk touches my lips as she silently rages. I see the fire behind her eyes as the blood boils in her veins. I shouldn’t love having this power over her, but I do. It’s a reaction that’s so personal. It’s one of her tells, and it shows me that I’m buried deep under her skin too—just a single glance from me sets her off. That must be the real reason she hates me so much; she can’t seem to control herself around me. It’s why I hate her.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she hisses under her breath, as if she can read my thoughts. The words barely escape her lips, but I hear them loud and clear. “No. No way. Hell will have to freeze over.”

I want to tell her it has—that’s why I’m here—but I’m trying my best to be cordial and professional. It’s what my sister, Eden, would have wanted me to do.

“Harper,” I say, nodding. “Billie.” Her name slips from my mouth like a curse.

A low growl escapes her throat. It’shot.

I glare at Harper, knowing this meeting is already over. “Harper, can I speak with you outside?”

My jaw clenches tight. She promised me Billie would be open to having this discussion. I should’ve known better. I don’t wait for her to stand before I move toward the door.

“Give me one minute,” Harper says to Billie.

“Harp”—frustration seeps through Billie’s tone—“this is low.”

Ah, she’s really mad. Good. I’m glad I could ruin her day, like she’s currently ruining mine. When she’s out of sight, it’s easy for me to forget she exists. It’s why I’ve forced myself to be around her lately. It’s my own personal hell—a shock therapy of sorts. Eventually, I’ll be immune, andshewon’t be able to frustrate me any longer.

I wait in the hallway for Harper, and a few seconds later, she joins me. Harper blinks up at me with kind blue eyes. Her hair is pulled half up, and she looks so much like her older brother, Zane, that it’s uncanny.

“You said she’d be aware,” I say, lowering my voice.

“I had no other choice. I apologize,” Harper states, her voice urgent and tinged with desperation.

“I should go.” I glance at the elevator.

“Please, Asher. I know you two don’t like each other?—”

“It’s not about that, Harper. You should never blindside someone if it can be prevented, especially given the dire situation. You’re right; I don’t like her. She’s stubborn and cocky, and she deserves to fail so she can be humbled. However, if my business partner did to me what you did to her, I’d be furious. This is not how progress is made, and she will never be open to a corporate intervention if you continue to approach your issues like this. Communication is key. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, but you and I both know she would never agree to see you.”

“Why?” I ask.

“You tell me,” she says. “I don’t know what happened between you two. No one does.”

“She doesn’t like that I won’t kiss her ass,” I tell her.

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