Page 12 of My Favorite Boss

The doors opened, and I was met with Mr. Bane’s scowling countenance. I hurried, not wanting to keep him waiting. My foot caught on the mat on the floor, and I tripped, closing my eyes in anticipation of hitting the floor. But a pair of solid arms caught me, holding me upright. Seconds passed as neither of us moved. He felt so warm, strong, and oddly safe. I tried not to notice how delicious he smelled. Crisp, clean, woodsy. Reminding me of a fall day in the sunshine. I wondered what it would be like, walking in the forest with him, his large hand wrapped around mine, keeping me safe and laughing with me. Complimenting me on⁠—

“Jesus, Myers, you need to watch where you’re going,” he snarled and pushed me away, albeit gently. “Try to stay upright.”

The doors opened, and he strode away, leaving me still mid-fantasy, his voice in my head not so frosty. I sighed as I went to my desk.

Great start to the day.

I delivered his coffee, then stowed the bag I’d brought in the fridge in the break room. I made myself a coffee and returned to my desk, determined to do something with the files.

Around eleven, Mr. Bane came out of his office, frowning at the mess. “What⁠—”

I cut him off. “It will all be back in place today. I’m organizing.”

“Fine.”

I resisted rolling my eyes.

“Staff meeting,” he informed me.

“I’m aware. I see your schedule.”

“I’ll want lunch when it’s done.”

“Fine.”

He did that eyebrow thing, slowly raising it as if he was challenging me. I met his glare with a steady gaze. He waited, then rolled his eyes, apparently not trying to resist the way I had. “Are you coming, Myers?”

“Oh. I wasn’t sure I was supposed to. You never said anything.”

“Staff meeting indicates staff. Of which you are one. For now,” he added after a beat.

I grabbed my notebook and hurried after him, tripping on the cable that ran past my desk. I muttered a curse, rubbing my thigh where I hit it on the edge of the desk. He stopped, shaking his head. “What now?”

I glared. “There’s a cable here, and I keep tripping on it. It’s dangerous.”

“I think you might be the danger, Myers. You seem to invite bad luck. Try to be more careful.”

Then he turned and walked out. I rushed behind him, following him onto the elevator, making a face behind his back, then sticking out my tongue like an angry toddler. What a jerk.

“We’re using the larger boardroom today,” he said, looking straight ahead. “The one on my floor is mainly for the partners and clients.”

I nodded, unsure of what else to say.

We stopped on the right floor, and he held out his arm, indicating I should go first. As I went by, he leaned down, his voice a low hum in my ear. “Always look around enclosed spaces.”

I glanced up and froze. The panel around the door was glass.

He had seen me. The face I had made. The fact that I had stuck out my tongue at him.

I kept my head down, following him to the staff meeting.

The words for now echoed in my head.

They now felt as if my future was set. And not in a good way.

BANE

We entered the room, Myers trailing behind me. I scanned the table, taking note of who was here. I spotted a couple of the vipers at one end of the table and made a fast decision.