Page 116 of My Favorite Boss

I shook my head. “You’re a friend of Magnolia’s, and we’re out of the office. Call me Alex.” I indicated Sam, who was staring at her. “This is Sam.” I nudged him. “Sam, this is Magnolia. And Rylee.”

He shook Rylee’s hand. “Pleasure,” he rumbled. He turned to Magnolia. “The infamous Magnolia Myers.”

“Infamous?”

He grinned. “Oh, the stories.” He winked. “The, ah, incidents.”

Magnolia flushed, unsure where to look. “Don’t be an ass,” I muttered and sat beside her, pulling her close. “Don’t let him get to you.”

Sam sat next to Rylee, pulling out the chair and straddling it. “So, Rylee, you work for my friend here?”

“Yes.”

“You’re an assistant too?”

“I’m head of IT.”

“Most brilliant programmer I’ve ever worked with,” I added. “And her systems and security are incredible. I’m constantly fighting off offers to take her away.”

Sam looked impressed. “Wow. Aside from the programs at the hospital, I’m not great with computers.”

“Well, I can’t diagnose an illness. We all have our talents.”

Rylee’s phone buzzed, and she frowned as she read it. “Maggie, I’m sorry. I have to go.”

Magnolia looked disappointed, but she was understanding. “Okay.”

“I need to order an Uber.”

“I can drive you,” Sam offered. “I was leaving.”

“Oh. It might be out of your way.”

“Nope. It’s not.”

“I haven’t said where⁠—”

He stood, offering her his hand. “It’s fine. I’ll drive you.”

“Um, okay.” She accepted his hand and looked at Magnolia. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Magnolia nodded, and I saw the look that passed between them. They were going to be talking hard in the morning. I hoped Magnolia shared. I had no idea what Sam was doing.

They left, and I ordered a coffee. Then I started to laugh.

“What?”

“Sam left. He drove us here.”

Magnolia joined in my amusement.

“I think Rylee bowled him over.”

“Well, at least not literally, like the way you did the first time we met.”

Magnolia rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Bane. I guess you’ll have to slum it on the bus with me home.”

“Nope. I can call an Uber, too, you know. Or Darryl.”