Page 41 of My Favorite Boss

He stopped eating, frowning at me.

“You make the sandwiches,” he repeated. “The ones I eat every day?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Deli meat has all sorts of nitrates and preservatives. My dad’s doctor told me how bad they are for you. All that stuff is linked to Alzheimer’s and other diseases. I roast the meat, and I make all his sandwiches.” I shrugged. “And I make yours.”

He studied me. “That’s what all the meat in your freezer is for?”

“Yes.”

“How are you getting paid for these sandwiches?”

“I’m not. Really, it’s not a problem. I make them for my dad. I make one for myself every day. One more is no big deal.”

He stared, not speaking. Then he shook his head. “It is to me.”

Our eyes met and held, his gaze warm and direct. I had never seen his eyes so blue. They were always intense, but the way he looked at me, they were lit up. A burning cerulean, so clear, they were bottomless. I felt the warmth flow between us, circling and strong.

It took everything in me to drop my gaze as I picked up my coffee. He cleared his throat.

“I see you’re prepared for lumberjack-hunting again,” he said, a teasing note to his voice.

I laughed. “Whatever, Bane.”

“Alex,” he said quietly. “When we’re alone, it’s Alex.” He paused. “Magnolia.”

“Maggie.”

“Maggie,” he repeated. “It suits you, but so does Magnolia. I rather like it. It’s unique—like you.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. I wasn’t used to a kinder Bane. So I smiled, making him grin.

“You’re blushing.”

I could feel the heat in my cheeks. “You’re embarrassing me.”

“I’d stop, but you’re very pretty when you blush.”

“I think we need to get to work.”

That got me another smile. “Okay…Magnolia.”

BANE

I had hoped she would show up today. It had taken all my willpower not to call her last night. Not to show up unannounced at her place and continue what we started. Even to have the chance to ask her if she wanted to continue.

When I looked up and saw her in the doorway, something in my chest flexed. Eased. Her shy smile and her sunny greeting made me smile. I walked closer, desperate to touch her, then thought better of it. We had to talk first.

Her quiet confession of making the sandwiches herself caught me off guard. I didn’t think anyone had ever made me something. Not even Sally—and she had been with me for years. No one had ever expressed worries over what I was consuming. I found it touching. I would make sure Myers was paid well for her thoughtfulness, even though I knew that wasn’t why she did it.

There was something different between us today. Something tangible and real. I felt it. I knew she did as well from the high color that infused her cheeks.

She confounded me. I didn’t like sweet, shy, adorable, mouthy, or accident-prone.

She was all of the above.