Page 36 of Sexy Bad Boss

She lunges for the cat in Myra’s lap, which is precariously close to my broken ankle. I tense, expecting a painful impact, but Alex swoops in and plucks her out of the air before it happens. She lets out a squeal as he places her on the floor on Myra’s other side, far enough from my foot that I can expel the breath I was holding.

“I gotcha covered, boss,” Alex says, winking at me and then skirting the couch with his arm extended. “Hi there, I’m Alex Darling, James’s new admin. You must be Garrett Frost, his brother, the famous golfer. I’m a huge fan.”

Apparently the muted clothing isn’t going to provide enough of a disguise that Garrett won’t be recognized at the concert.

Alex turns his focus to Erin and offers a blinding smile. “And you must be the new fiancée. I saw the announcement on the Golf Digest website this morning. I have to say, Garrett sure chose well. Really well.”

“Oh, he’s a charmer,” Erin says, laughing up at Garrett, who’s eying the kid like he isn’t quite sure what to make of him.

That makes two of us.

Alex shoves his thumb over his shoulder. “That your daughter?”

“Yeah,” Garrett says.

“I love kids. I’m great with them, too.”

“Takes one to know one,” Garrett mutters, and I want to hug him. Or at least give him a fist bump.

Alex laughs like he wasn’t just insulted and beckons them into the house, offering up my Johnny Walker Blue Label. The amber liquid in that bottle’s dipping awfully low.

“No, we’re good. We have dinner reservations. Hey, James, is it cool if she spends the night? We’ll come grab her as soon as we get up in the morning.”

What the hell am I supposed to do with a toddler overnight? What time does she go to bed? Where will she sleep? Is she potty trained? Am I supposed to read to her before bed?

“I love sleepovers,” Alex enthuses and this time even Myra arches her eyebrows. “When I was a kid, I used to spend the night at my aunt and uncle’s house all the time.”

“Was a kid?” Garrett says.

“Of course she can stay the night,” Myra responds, standing up and retrieving the small, purple rolling bag from Garrett’s grasp. “She can sleep with me. And we’ll make pancakes in the morning. I wonder if we are savvy enough to make Mickey Mouse pancakes?” She gives Abby an inquiring look.

Abby has her arms around the cat and its back legs are hanging almost to the floor, but the thing doesn’t appear to mind. She butts her head against Abby’s chin and the little girl lets out a delighted giggle.

“I love Mickey Mouse pancakes. Erin makes them all the time. She uses blueberries for the eyes and raspberries for the nose and mouth.”

“I’m not sure we have any berries,” Myra says.

“I’ll run and get some,” Alex offers up.

“We’ll make due,” I snap.

“All right, we’re out of here. Have fun, folks.” Garrett and Erin retreat and I wish Alex would follow.

Instead, he crouches next to Abby and asks, “Have you had dinner yet?”

She nods. “I ate before we came over.”

“Cool. Sounds like it’s time for dessert. I wonder if your uncle has anything sweet in his kitchen?”

Her eyes widen. “Like chocolate chip cookies?”

Nope, not gonna find those in my house. Not that I have anything against chocolate chip cookies. In fact, I love them, but only if they’re homemade. Which means the only time I have them is when I visit my parents or Myra happens to bring them to the office.

“Myra makes amazing chocolate chip cookies,” I spontaneously spout.

“Oh yeah?” Alex says, giving her the side-eye. “So do I. Should we have a contest? Abby can be judge. Winner owes the other a drink one day after work.”

What? No! That’s a guaranteed date, no matter who wins! “I want in on this.”

Myra and Alex give me identical surprised looks, which is a little bit annoying since Alex has no freaking clue if I can bake.

“Yay,” Abby says, clapping enthusiastically. “Let’s make cookies.”

What the hell have I gotten myself into?