Page 118 of The Boss Problem

Henry had been initially wary of my presence on Sunday evenings, especially since he now knew exactly who I was.

He insisted he was fine to stay alone. Of course he was, but I told him I was here to cook dinner for Chloe so that when she got back, she’d have something to eat and someone to scold.

That got Henry chuckling as he tried to guess what I’d be scolded for. And that had been the start of an easier relationship with Chloe, one where she didn’t suspect me of trying to take over her brother’s place in her life.

On one of those days, Henry had mentioned Chloe’s love for dancing and how she’d given it up after his accident. Once Chloe passed her PMP certification course, I resolved to help her join dance classes again. I wanted to restore everything she’d lost when her father abandoned them, leaving her abruptly in charge at the young age of eighteen.

On my third week, when I showed up early on Sunday evening, hoping for a chance to see Chloe before she left for her class, I was in for a shock.

I found her sobbing in her apartment when I walked in.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, rushing to the couch and kneeling down next to her.

Going by the silence in the other rooms and how freely Chloe was crying, I knew Henry had to be out.

“It’s Henry’s graduation night next week,” Chloe sobbed. “I wanted Dad to attend. He should be so proud of Henry. But I caught hold of Dad. He didn’t even want to invite me home. We met at a café, and he said he had no interest in coming to see Henry graduate. It was Henry’s dream that Dad would show up. And I couldn’t make that dream come true.”

I drew her into my arms, hugging her to my chest, and felt enraged on her behalf.

“He’s an asshole, and I hope you’ll cut him out of your life after this incident. And, Chloe,” I said, taking her hands in mine, “Henry is much, much stronger than you think he is. Tell him the truth. Tell him your dad said no. He’ll take it, and you’ll be surprised at how little it will affect him. You are all that matters to Henry. You being there for his graduation night. Nobody else.”

She smiled through her tears, and she lay her head on my chest, wiping her tears as she nodded. “That’s right.”

“Of course I’m right. When have I ever not been?”

She lifted her head and smiled back at me.

I pushed her hair behind her ears and shook my head. “After your experience with jerks like me, I thought you’d be used to your dad’s assholey response.”

Chloe shook her head. “You aren’t like him, Sean—thank goodness. Not one bit. You love your son. You’d do anything for your son—I’ve seen that.”

She wiped her eyes again with the back of her hand and looked around, seeming more composed. “But I’m starting to reconcile with my own pain. Dad won’t be a part of my wishes anymore. Just Henry.” She turned to me with a wistful smile. “And you,” she said, leaning closer to me and pressing her lips against mine.

I understood that with Chloe, this was the best I could get. To be right up there with Henry in her life. It would never be just me, and I was learning to be okay with that.

In a week, her stint as my assistant would be over, and I felt an ache I couldn’t explain at the thought of that. I didn’t want her to leave.

“I have a request,” I said after a while. “If you feel up to it, there’s someone in my family who’d love to meet you.”

She blinked, her teardrops clinging to her lashes. “Who?”

51

CHLOE

Lucas stood beside me on the balcony, practically bouncing with excitement as I guided his drone through the sky. I was still a bit shaky with the controls. But the way Lucas beamed at me, I was starting to forget about my nerves.

Lucas’s eyes were glued on the little whirring machine above us, his face lit up with pure joy. I tried to keep my focus.

“Like this?” I asked, glancing at him for approval.

“Yeah! Just like that!” He grinned, pointing up at the drone as it banked left, swooping in a smooth arc.

I could feel Sean’s eyes on us from the living room. Even without looking, I knew he was watching, probably amused by how serious I was taking this.

“You’re getting the hang of it,” Sean called out, his voice warm.

I shot him a quick smile, my attention still on making sure I didn’t crash the thing.

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