Page 46 of Sexy Bad Boss

Chapter Fourteen

JAMES

“Cleo isn’t for sale,” the blonde woman says while darting a guilty look in Abby’s direction. “There are plenty of other cats up for adoption at the humane society. I’m sure your daughter, er…” Her head volleys back and forth between me and Garrett, who’s made himself comfortable on the recliner with Abby perched in his lap. The cat’s owners are sitting stiffly on the couch while Alex is busy playing maid and pouring cups of coffee all around.

“Cream? Sugar?” He gives my unexpected guests an imploring look. How can he act so calm when my life is crumbling around me?

First, Myra announces she’s leaving me, then she moves in with me and we end up striking up an affair. Now I’m pretty sure I’m at least half in love with her and, in a weird way, glad she resigned, except I have no idea how to tell her so. To top it off, she’s gone and hired this overzealous kid to take her place at the company. Who manages to dig up Simon’s owners, and damned if I want to give up the cat either.

How do I convince Myra to stay but not with Frost Inc.? Usually, I’m pretty astute when it comes to work relationships, yet I was blindsided when she tendered her resignation, although that might have been due to whatever happened before I tripped over the goat at Paynt’s wedding. And I already know I’m lousy at personal relationships, so this thing between us is probably doomed before it even gets started.

If I’m not careful, I’m going to be left with nothing but Alex, God help me.

“Cream, thank you,” the neighbor, who apparently lives three blocks east and another south, says.

“Everyone has a price,” I say, glancing at Myra. “What’s yours?” Now that we’ve slept together and my heart’s on the line, I’ve got to figure it out.

Myra drops her gaze to the cat. Or maybe she’s looking at my lap. Is she trying to tell me sex is her price? Hell, I can certainly arrange that. It’s no hardship. Well, actually, it’s most definitely a hardship. And it’s getting harder even as we play avoid-my-gaze while all these people sit around us.

“I told you, I’m not selling my cat.”

“Fine, take her,” I say, glancing down at the feline who’s glaring at me like I’ve insulted her. “What? They’re your owners.” She swishes her tail and extends her claws. I yelp as they dig into my thighs through my pajama pants.

The blonde woman stands and plucks the cat from my lap. I quickly—and hopefully casually—cover my bulge with my hands.

“Thank you,” she says, burying her face in Simon’s fur. I swear the cat is still giving me the stink eye.

“Uncle James,” Abby says, stomping her foot and crossing her arms. “How can you just give her up?”

I flap my good hand at the neighbor. “She isn’t mine,” I protest.

“She could be,” Abby states, and Myra arches her brow like she’s waiting for me to say something, only I have no earthly idea what she expects.

“Thank you for taking care of her for the last few days. Now, if you’ll excuse us.” Thrusting her nose in the air, Simon’s owner marches toward the front door, her husband rushing after her, throwing a longing look at the coffee cup Alex is holding out as if he expects the man to come back and take it.

After the door slams shut, Garrett says, “You’re an idiot.”

Who? What?

He shakes his head and addresses Abby. “You ready to go home?”

Her bottom lip quivers and she wraps her arms around herself. “Simon should stay with Uncle James. He needs her.”

“That’s not who he needs,” Garrett says. He stands and tosses her over his shoulder, tickling the back of her knee until she giggles. “Come on, let’s go over to Uncle Paynt’s to visit Spot. Something tells me that’s the perfect distraction.”

“Can we walk through that house again, too?”

Garrett shoots me a glance and I’m instantly suspicious. “What house?” I ask.

“Next to Uncle Paynt,” Abby quips.

“Chloe’s house?” Is Garrett thinking about moving into our brother’s neighborhood?

He grimaces and nods. “It’s a pain in the ass keeping a duck in an apartment in a high- rise building. And the house is on a lake, which is perfect for the duck. And weirdly, the duck and goat are BFFs. And why does it sound like we’re making this decision based on a duck?”

“Because we are,” Abby says, clapping her hands and grinning.