Page 59 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
Chloe:You’re building up the suspense. But I’m glad you’re okay :)
Me:And how are you? How’s Tony?
Chloe:Haha, very good. Very, very good. And… yeah. He asked me out again. I said no. He doesn’t give up. It’s sweet, sure, but how do I make him understand nothing’s going to happen between us? If this keeps up, I might need a new job soon. I doubt he’ll put up with rejection forever—he’ll fire me eventually…
Me:I don’t think it’ll come to that. He needs you. Why not give him a chance? Tony’s really cute. Maybe you’re misjudging him?
Chloe:Did he pay you to say that? Haha ;)
Me:No. Would he? I’ll ask him :D
We chat a little longer before I’m too tired to type and wish her goodnight. Tomorrow’s going to be a tough one—Rosie will be at daycare most of the day, but afterward I’ll have her at the office with me. It won’t be easy, but I’ll manage.
Somehow.
Chapter 14
Gabriel
I peek into Rosie’s room. She’s fast asleep, curled up peacefully. Smiling, I ease the door shut and head into my own room. My suits from the dry cleaner are hanging neatly in the closet—Kim picked them up today. Four, all in order. Good.
I rub my eyes and call Steven.
"Hey…" I pace slowly around the room.
"So, how’d it go?" Steven asks. He sounds tired too, but I guess we both are.
"Good. I'm really very satisfied with her. Kim’s friendly, helpful, reliable. The department heads only have positive things to say about her. She handles every task flawlessly, and Rosie adores her. Honestly, she’s the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I just hope she stays after the trial period."
"What’s it like living under the same roof with her?"
Good question.
"Pretty normal. She’s quiet. I barely notice she’s there, unless we bump into each other." I think about the tea we never got to have downstairs. Too late now—I’ve already showered and I’m standing here in just boxers. "My sister dropped Rosie off tonight. Catherine won’t be back until Sunday. God knows what she’s doing all week. She’s like a ghost—here one minute, then gone for ages."
"You taking Rosie to Italy?" Steven asks.
"Yeah. Catherine signed the airline form, so I can bring her."
"Well, that’s settled. Rosie will love Italy. And you’ll actually be able to focus on your meetings, since Kim’s coming with you."
"True." I sit on the edge of the bed and notice my desk drawer isn’t all the way closed. I nudge it shut, frowning. "I’m curious about the new varieties and how our customers will respond."
"Are you meeting with Merzedes?" Steven perks up. He’s always had a thing for her. No surprise—Merzedes is an absolute dream of a woman.
"I thought you could bring her the samples." I’ve known for a while she’s interested in me, but the chemistry just isn’t there. Friends, sure. Anything else, absolutely not.
"You’re a true gentleman!" Steven is completely over the moon, while I carefully pull open the drawer.
I glance back at the desk and slowly open the drawer again. Has Kim been snooping around here? The golden key is lying on top of my notebook, but I'm sure I placed it differently. Strange. When I look at my game cabinet, a thought occurs to me.
"If you get married, I'm invited, right?" I ask as I stand up. At the game cabinet, I check the door—and what do you know, it opens. Just like that. I stand there smiling, then grin wider. So, she really did snoop around here but forgot to lock it again.
"You’ll be my best man!" Steven is still floating on cloud nine while I look over my collection. She doesn’t seem to have touched anything else.
"Deal," I reply, shutting the door again. I grab the key, lock it, and put it back.
I wish Steven good night before getting into bed myself, wondering what Kim must have thought when she found my cabinet.
