Page 54 of Sexy Bad Boss

“You don’t have to do that.” I march from the kitchen.

There’s a knock on the front door.

“That’s probably my date. Perhaps I can talk him into having drinks at the airport after we book you in.” She opens the door. “Oh, it’s you.”

I freeze mid-breath, my body leaping to attention. Is it James? Did he come all this way to see me? No, that doesn’t make sense. I told him I was taking the job in London. Unless...did Ronnie tell him? Or Alex? They’re the only ones who know I’m here.

“That’s a nice way to greet your brother.” James’s wry voice pierces my heart, flooding me with nerves. I desperately want to see his face, but my feet are glued to the tiles.

“It is when he’s being a moron. For the longest time I thought you were right about Garrett being the adopted one, but I’m starting to think it’s you.”

“It’s good to see you too, Ronnie,” he says.

“Is it?” She hangs in the doorway, blocking his entry, and I am torn between needing her to move so I can see him and being so grateful to her for giving me a moment to compose myself.

“Myra’s here. I know she is,” he says matter-of-factly. “Alex let the cat out of the bag.”

“So?”

“I need to see her.” He’s beginning to sound short with her.

“Let me check if she’s available.”

Ronnie glances at me and I nod. “Let him in.”

“Okay,” she says, before jabbing him in the chest. “But I swear, if you start on about how much your company needs her or—”

“Damn it, Ronnie. This isn’t about Frost Inc. Now get out of my way.”

“Fine. But only because my date just arrived.”

She’s gone, spinning past him and down the hallway in a matter of seconds while he steps into view. I can’t breathe. My pulse trips all over itself as he closes the door behind him, not taking his gaze off me. Not even for a second.

He looks good. Back to his old self almost, or at least able bodied. He’s wearing his charcoal suit and that tie I picked out for him that time we went to Italy and the airline lost part of his luggage. It’s loose around his neck, like he’s spent a lot of time toying with the silk. Dropping the carry-on in his hand to the floor beside his feet, he stands almost as frozen as I am.

I open my mouth and just as quickly snap it shut while I try to find my voice. My pulse trips and tumbles over itself. What do I even say?

“What are you doing here?”

“I had to see you.” He takes a step toward me. Just one and my world dips a little, but that’s been happening on and off these past couple of weeks anyway. I cover my mouth with the back of my hand while I fight for my equilibrium.

“I was...” I glance behind me in the direction of the bedroom where I was heading before he walked into Ronnie’s apartment. “I was coming to see you.”

“You were?”

“I hadn’t packed yet. I was about to book a flight. Ronnie was going to drive me to the airport and then you...” Then he winged his way to me. Dropped everything to come and find me.

“I had to see you,” he says again.

“You said that already.” I move toward him.

“I did.”

“I needed to see you too. Needed to tell you something I’ve kept to myself for far too long.” I hesitate. Why is this so hard?

“I’m glad you quit, Myra.” He fills the silence.

“I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t be at your beck and call.”