Page 4 of The Boss Situation

Harper exhales. “And she won’t kiss yours. So, we’re at a standstill. Please reconsider. I will owe you big time,” she whispers. “Billie will never ask for your help, but it’s not beneath me to beg. Iknow you’re the best—there’s no doubt about that—and we need you, Ash. Pretty please. It honestly makes you the bigger person for offering.”

“I will not waste my time, so know that when she pushes me out that door again, it will be much harder to ever have me return,” I state matter-of-factly. “I’m very busy.”

“I respect that. Thank you,” Harper says, meeting my eyes. “Thank you so much. I promise it will be worth your while in the end.”

“Damn. You owe me big, Harp,” I hiss, and I can already predict how this meeting will continue. I can foresee Billie’s moves—moves she doesn’t even know she’ll make.

I glance down at my watch, taking note of the time.

“You’re going to earn all the good karma points for this,” Harper says, much happier than she should be.

We enter, and I sit in front of Billie.

Over her shoulder is a direct view of my office. The screen saver jumps around on my computer screen. I smirk, knowing it must annoy her, having me as her shadow while she’s working. Like at Stanford, I’m always close, watching everything she does.

I meet Billie’s gaze, and the tension thickens. She narrows her eyes, and her nostrils flare.

“Why are you still here?” she barks.

“Because you need me,” I say, cocky as hell, ready to challenge her. I’ve been waiting all week for this very moment, knowing exactly what I’ll say to her next.

“I need you?” She scoffs, rolling her eyes.

“Badly,” I confirm, checking my watch. Two minutes have passed since I arrived. “And I won’t help until you ask me.”

“You can leave.” She points toward the door.

I think the scowl might be permanently etched on her pretty face.

Of course, she refuses the easy option, as I knew she would. I stare at the ice queen, fully aware of how badly she needs me. If shewants to play, we’ll go to the extreme. I love strategy games, and she’s my favorite one.

“Perfect.” I grin widely. “You’ll have to beg for my help next time.”

This gets under her skin because Billie Calloway begs for no one. However, she will beg for me.

“We can find someone else.” She glances at Harper, as if searching for reassurance.

There is no one else but me. I’m the corporate Grim Reaper. When I help one business, it usually destroys another. With death comes new life and a fresh start.

I lean back slightly in my chair, licking my lips, knowing this is option three. “You’ll beg on your knees.”

Sarcastic laughter—that I’ve heard on many occasions—escapes her pouty red lips. “Goodbye, Banks.”

With brows raised, I stand and adjust my tie. “I’ll have the last laugh, Calloway.”

“Asher,” Harper whispers urgently, but I don’t wait for her this time.

I shut the door and head straight to the elevator. It’s too early for the chaos Billie Calloway creates.

When I arrive at the firm, Lauren’s brows lift when she sees me. “You’re already back?”

“Told you so. It went exactly how I’d predicted.”

“What’s your next move?” she asks.

I tap my fingers on top of her desk. “Can you have someone deliver one of those thick rolls of paper we use for mapping quarterly marketing strategies?”

“The banner-sized paper?” she asks.

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