Page 142 of Chasing Shelter

“Nope. You gave him too many chances, and multiple people witnessed his infractions. We’re good there.”

“I won’t miss having him around here.”

“Me either.” Gabriel glanced at the door as if he could see through it. “I think we should consider giving Fletcher Will’s desk.He’s been showing initiative, has attention to detail, and most of all, he doesn’t piss off everyone around him.”

I couldn’t argue with the points Gabriel made. “Do it.”

“All right, then. I’m going to?—”

Gabriel’s words cut off as my door flew open and Ellie filled the entryway—five foot seven inches of pissed-off glory. “Chief, you are so totally grounded.”

Gabriel tried to cover a laugh with a cough. “Told you she’d know before the day was out.” He pushed to his feet but stopped to whisper something in Ellie’s ear on his way out. I could just make out the words. “Go easy on him. He’s worried as hell about you.”

A little of the edge to Ellie’s anger eased, but she still had plenty of heat behind those pale green eyes as she stepped farther into my office and closed the door behind her.

“Ellie—”

“You said my life was my own.”

“It is. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to protect it. Keep it safe.”

“You need my permission for that.”

One corner of my mouth kicked up. “Apparently, I don’t.”

Those beautiful eyes narrowed on me. “I could make your life very difficult. I could fight you every step of the way. I could turn your organization upside down, undo your linen closet’s color- coding system, put the ketchup in the mustard’s spot, mess with your medicine cabinet’s alphabetized product arrangement. I could make you live in blue-balled hell.”

“I’m already in blue-balled hell. So are you.”

She let out a huff. “Too attractive and charming for your own good.”

“You’re so damn beautiful when you’re pissed at me.”

Ellie softened more. “You don’t play fair.”

“No, I don’t. Now, come here.”

“No.”

“Ellie.”

“No.”

“Please?” I prodded.

“Damn you,” she muttered but crossed to me.

The moment she was within arm’s reach, I pulled her into my lap. She landed with anoomph, and I curved my arms around her. “I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I’m sorry I made you feel like I was taking the choice out of your hands. I should’ve taken the time to make my arguments.”

Ellie leaned back in my hold so she could take in my face. “And you think you’d win that argument, don’t you?”

“I know I would.” I kissed the tip of her nose. “Because it’s the smart play. We needed someone inside the bakery in case the unexpected happened. Did Fletcher or Beth interrupt your workday in any way?”

“No,” she grumbled.

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