Page 3 of Jealous Boss

Yeah, it’s unconventional as fuck, but it also feels like a no-brainer I’m kicking off about for no reason.

Hell, it’s a job my assistant Maggie can do in her sleep. And I have every intention of passing this off to her at the first opportunity.

So I keep my gaze on Philip’s and I nod. “Sure. Okay. I’ll keep an eye on your niece. But on one condition.”

A wry smile creases his lips. “I think I can guess what that is.”

“I’m sure you can. But just to be clear, I’d like it spelled out that the day you get back you announce my new position as senior partner. And my name goes on the wall. No more fucking around, pardon my French.”

Philip laughs and holds out his hand. “You got yourself a deal, Ethan.”

I let out a slow, relieved breath as we shake on it, triumph almost choking me.

For a kid who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in South Philly, I haven’t done badly for myself.

Philip steps off the buggy, his smile even wider with relief. I’m about to step off myself when he turns to me.

“Oh, one more thing. I’ve rented the condo beneath yours for her. I figure it’ll be easier for you to get her into work and back and still keep an eye on her when she’s not at the firm. No need to thank me.” He slaps me on the shoulder.

My jaw grits and irritation turns into serious vexation as I watch him stride away.

I’m fully aware that I have no one to blame but myself for not double-checking the small print before agreeing to land myself as a twenty-four-hour babysitter for some snotty teenager.

Fuck me.

* * *

I’m stillin a shitty mood when I arrive at work on Monday.

Maggie, my PA and troubleshooter extraordinaire, eyes me as I throw her a curt nod and stride into my office. She follows at a slower pace, a mug of piping hot Java Black in her hand.

“Is this a ‘stay clear of Ethan’ day?”

I eye her and huff out a breath. “Is she here yet?”

She frowns. “Is who here?”

“Philip’s niece. The one I’m supposed to fucking babysit.”

Her eyebrows disappear into her bangs. “I’m one hundred percent sure I’ve missed at least the prologue and a few first chapters of this riveting story.”

I drag my fingers through my hair and give her highlights of what transpired at the golf course on Saturday.

She’s fighting laughter by the time I’m done, but she knows better than to give in to it. She’s the best PA I’ve ever had, but I’m still her boss, and I wield enough power to make a serious dent in her next bonus if she doesn’t stay onside.

She sets the coffee down in front of me and takes a few steps back. I reach for it and gulp down a mouthful, relishing the stinging heat. Hell, it matches the seething fury which hasn’t dissipated since Saturday.

“The normal procedure is for the interns to go through orientation this morning before their assignments are handed out. So she might be in the building, but she won’t be up here for another couple of hours.”

I slice Maggie a glance, which she rightly interprets. She starts to lift her hands in protest, but my resolute look drops them back down.

“You want me to take care of her, don’t you?” she mutters with resignation.

I wave my hand at myself. “Do I really look like the babysitting type to you?”

She huffs out a breath. “No, you don’t,” she replies, then sighs. “Is this where I ask what’s in it for me, and you tell me you’ll up my Christmas bonus by thirty percent?” she says with fake nonchalance, examining her impeccable crimson nails.

“One of the many reasons you’re invaluable to me is because you’re always in lockstep with me. Except for the thirty percent part. That’s uncharacteristically optimistic, even for you. Let’s settle at a more reasonable seven percent.”

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