Page 9 of A Bossy Surprise

“Anyway, I know we all have to get back to work, but I thought it would be a good idea for us to mingle for a minute and get an opportunity to have some face time with Mr. Grant. So Ihave arranged for some refreshments. Please, have a croissant, drink some juice, introduce yourself to our new boss, and then get back to work.”

Arthur ends the meeting, opens the door and breakfast pastries and drinks are brought in and set down in the center of the conference table.

People stand and start helping themselves to refreshments while Amanda leans over with a smile and whispers, “You asshole. I can’t believe you kept this from me.”

“I’m sorry. Arthur told me not to tell anyone.”

“I’m not just anyone.” She rolls her eyes.

“I know. I just figured you’d find out soon enough.”

“Whatever…” She sits back in her chair and her attention slides over to where Adam is standing. Everyone is crowded around him, trying to get his attention. “My goodness, that man is gorgeous.”

I shrug. “I guess so.”

She turns to me. “You guess so? Please don’t even try and pretend you don’t find him attractive.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. It’s just that he’s our boss. I would rather not to think about how attractive he is or isn’t.”

Amanda giggles. “If you say so…but the way he was staring at you through out that meeting, I would guess that he is quite taken with you.”

I tsk. “Amanda, please be serious.”

She giggles and we both sit back in our chairs. Amanda continues to gawk at Adam. After a moment, she says, “Okay, don’t laugh at this. But why do I keep thinking he looks just like Brady?”

My heart stops for two beats and starts back up twice as fast as before. “Don’t be ridiculous. They look nothing alike.” My voice is a little more forceful than necessary.

Amanda raises an eyebrow. “Yes, they do. That black hair? Those piercing blue eyes? And even the face shape. There’s no way you don’t see it.”

“So what? Two people have black hair and blue eyes. That’s not such a rare combination.”

“No, it’s not. I’m just saying the resemblance is uncanny.”

“Well, I don’t see it.”

Amanda laughs. “Why are you being so serious about this? I just made an innocent observation. Relax. It’s not the end of the world.”

I am done with this conversation so I get to my feet. “As thrilling as all this is, I have a ton of work to do. So I guess I’ll see you later.”

“What? You don’t want to meet Mr. Grant?”

I look at Adam where he’s being swarmed. “I don’t have any desire to join that mosh pit. At any rate, I will probably meet him soon enough because of my new position.”

“Okay then. I guess I’ll see you later.”

I nod then slink out of the room, grateful that Adam is distracted and doesn’t see me scampering off.

I rush to my new office, which at this point is basically a carpeted room with a computer perched on the desk, chairs, and empty bookshelves.

I pace back-and-forth across the room.

It’s eerie how Amanda was able to draw that line between Adam and Brady so easily.

Any hope I had been harboring about being able to perhaps lie my way through this has now been dashed.

Anyone who looks at Adam and then my son will have no trouble connecting those dots.

I am going to be found out. I am so screwed.