Page 49 of A Bossy Surprise

A toothy grin stretches her face.

She stands up and extends her hand to me. “Deal?”

I also get to my feet and shake her hand. “Deal.”

She pulls her hand from mine and starts walking out of my office. Just before she leaves, she throws over her shoulder, “I would’ve taken six.”

I can’t help the laugh that rumbles out of me.

She really is something.

I get back to work and I’m so distracted that by the time I look up, it’s gone dark outside.

I lean back in my chair and let my mind wander.

It doesn’t take long before I’ve talked myself into making a call I have been avoiding for weeks. I’ve been dodging the frenzy I’m about to experience.

I pick my phone up off my desk. It’s just a little after seven. She should be back home from work by now.

I dial my mother’s number and it rings a couple of times. Then her sing song voice comes over the line and she sounds excited. “Sweetheart, it’s been so long.”

“Mom, I literally spoke to you last week.”

“A whole week! My friends’ kids call them every day.”

I chuckle. “Somehow I doubt that”

“Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit, but still, you should call your mother more frequently than once a week.”

“Okay, Mom. I will try to call you more often.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“Anyway, how was your day?”

She’s scoffs. “Chloe is honestly getting on my last nerve. It’s bad enough that she chooses the worst art to showcase at the gallery, but the way she wants to arrange everything is so juvenile and expected.”

“I still don’t understand why you won’t let me help you get your own gallery. You have so many wonderful ideas.”

“Like I have said a thousand times already, I appreciate the offer, but I actually quite like working for someone else.”

“But you’re always complaining about Chloe.”

“Everyone complains about their boss. Don’t you complain about yours?”

“Seeing as Dad is my boss, you’re right.”

She tsks. “I really wish you and your father got along better.”

“Well, you weren’t able to. So I’m sure you understand why that’s not possible.”

“I guess…”

“Yeah…”

“Anyway, enough about your father. What’s been going on with you?”

My heart picks up speed. “Well, that’s why I called.”