Page 106 of My Favorite Boss

There was a beat of silence, and Alex pulled me to his chest. “I think Magnolia has said everything that needs to be said. Leave. Don’t come back. You aren’t welcome here or at the office.”

Terry’s face was almost purple in his rage. His mother’s cheeks were flushed a deep red, her eyes almost silver with ice. “I have never been more ashamed of you,” Mrs. Johnstone hissed. “Letting her speak to us that way. I will not stand for it!”

“The truth is never pretty, Mother. Magnolia said what had to be said.”

“You will regret this.”

“I highly doubt it.” Alex stepped to the door, opening it. “Get out.”

Terry shook his head. “I hope you rot in hell.”

Alex smirked. “You first—brother,” he added sarcastically, looking pleased as Terry stomped out.

His mother stopped, glaring at me. “You caused all this.”

I laughed sardonically. “I think you’re the key factor here. And you might want to check your shoes when you get home.”

She glanced down, the detail I found so humorous sending her over the edge. “You little—” She raised her hand, and in an instant, Alex was in front of me, grabbing her wrist.

“If you dare,” he snarled, “I will have you arrested for battery.” He leaned close. “This entire encounter was videotaped, Mother, so you’ll have none of your lies to wiggle out of it. How would all your friends and upper-class associates feel about you being convicted of striking an innocent woman in her own home?”

She wrenched her hand away, glaring. “She doesn’t deserve to have the last name Bane.”

Alex regarded her somberly. “That shouldn’t bother you since you were very fast to remarry and change your name after Father died.”

“I am still associated with that name. With you. What you do reflects on me.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I have done nothing to be ashamed of. Tell me, Mother, can you or Terry say the same thing? Or your sainted husband?”

I thought she was going to strike him, except she recalled his threat and pulled back, stiffening her shoulders. “I no longer consider you my son.”

“A good day all around, then,” he replied, reopening the door. “Get out, Mrs. Johnstone. You are no longer welcome here. Not that you ever really were.”

She flounced out, and he shut the door, his shoulders dropping. He rested his forehead on the wood, a long exhale escaping.

I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to touch him. Get him to talk to me. But I wasn’t sure if he wanted that.

He straightened, turning to me.

“Dinner and a show,” he muttered. “Didn’t expect that.”

“Alex—”

He held up his hand. “It’s fine, Magnolia.”

“No, it’s not.”

For a moment, he said nothing. Then he spoke, his voice filled with wonder. “You defended me. You told them off.”

“Of course I did.” The words were out before I could stop them. “I love you.”

His eyes widened and his brow furrowed as he processed my words.

“You. Love. Me?”

I couldn’t stand the space between us. I rushed forward, flinging my arms around his neck and holding him close. “I love you.”

It took a moment. Then his arms came around me, holding me so tight I could barely breathe. He buried his face into my neck, breathing deeply. He pulled me even closer, not speaking, not denying my words. He held me as if he needed my touch to hold him together. As if I was what was keeping him upright. He spread his hands open across my back, and I felt every inch of him against me. Solid, strong, yet in such need of my embrace, I knew I couldn’t let go.