Page 7 of Boss of Attraction
“Whatever,” she huffed.
“I’m just saying, you probably make enough money from your videos that you could afford to support yourself.”
“Just because you’re a financial advisor doesn’t mean you know everything. Besides, if Dad doesn’t have a problem with it, you shouldn’t either.” She looked at me. “Right?
“Don’t bring me into it. I can’t believe you two still argue like little kids.” I chuckled.
Before they could continue with their childish antics, Jasper entered the dining room carrying a platter of roasted chicken and placed it on the table.
“Dinner is served,” he announced.
“This looks great, Jasper,” Morgan said, shaking out her napkin and placing it on her lap.
“I’m sure it tastes as good as it looks,” Ryan said, winking at Jasper.
“Hopefully,” Jasper replied with a smile. “Enjoy.”
Once he was out of earshot, Ryan turned to Morgan and said, “Damn, he’s hot.”
I nudged his foot with mine under the table. “Don’t talk about our chef like that.”
“Why not? It’s true.”
I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t have him starting something with someone who worked for me because if it ended, someone could get hurt. And if it was Jasper who was the one to get hurt, that could cause problems since I was his employer.
“Because some lines shouldn’t be crossed. Flirting with an employee is never a good idea.”
He smiled but raised his hands in surrender. “Fine. I’ll behave myself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t admire him from a distance.”
I shook my head, trying to hide my amusement. “Just remember, he’s off-limits.”
Morgan giggled, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “What about you, Dad? Anyone caught your eye recently?”
I took a sip of my water before answering. The first time one of my kids brought up the possibility of me dating again, I was surprised. I figured they wouldn’t want me to move on, but they explained I was too young—even at fifty—to spend the rest of my life alone. A part of me agreed with them, but I wasn’t in a hurry to meet anyone new.
“No, sweetheart. Work keeps me busy enough. I don’t even have time to think of dating.”
The conversation shifted to lighter topics as we enjoyed our meal together. Morgan shared stories of her recent travels and fashion collaborations, while Ryan gave us investment advice. I tried to give them my full attention, but my mind drifted in another direction. Maybe itwastime for me to think about dating again.
5
DECLAN
I groanedas I rolled over and shut off my alarm. The night before I’d left the office after midnight. Now I had to get up and spend my Saturday with Fallon at his condo to study for the bar exam. I didn’t mind the late nights at the office, but having to get up on a Saturday at nine was a real bitch.
Rubbing my eyes, I caught the smell of coffee lingering in the air, evidence my roommate Sam was already awake. I wasn’t sure how she did it. She worked late hours as a bartender at a sports bar but somehow managed to get up before noon most days.
As I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my gaze drifted around my small room. It was a far cry from the trailer park I grew up in back in Pennsylvania, where life was a constant struggle. My mom, a hardworking woman with three jobs, did her best to make ends meet. We lived paycheck to paycheck in that mobile home park. I knew she had it hard, and I tried my best to make it easier for her. I studied most nights, got good grades, worked part-time as a busser at one of the diners she worked at, and stayed out of trouble.
My efforts paid off when I earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. The relief on my mom’s face when she heard the news was etched in my memory, but I hadn’t stopped there. I aimed higher and received a scholarship to Hawkins Law in Boston. She no longer had three jobs, but I was still determined to make enough money to get my mom out of the rundown trailer community and into something better. Something nicer. Something bigger.
Dressed in only pajama pants, I sauntered into the kitchen to be greeted by the sight of Sam sitting at the table, sipping her coffee. She looked up, a knowing smile on her face.
“Rough night?”
“The attorney I’m working under doesn’t like to leave the office until the cleaning crew arrives. I want to prove myself so I stay and help him as much as I can.” Plus, he was so fucking hot for a silver fox. I didn’t mind really.
“You’re making your dreams come true, Declan. It’s bound to be tough. But hey, at least you’ve got me to keep the coffee flowing.”
