Page 85 of My Favorite Boss

“You should. And I can hardly wait to see it on the floor by my bed.” He paused with a wink. “If we make it that far. The living room might be as much as I can stand.”

“Stop it,” I murmured, loving every second of it.

“Where’s the zipper?”

“What?”

“The zipper. It’s pretty, and I don’t want to rip it.”

“Left side.”

“Gotcha.” He picked up the menu. “So, before I get dessert, I need to feed you. What looks good?” He peered over the heavy paper. “Besides you?”

“I think I need protein.”

“Great idea. Steak for two, it is.”

We were almost finished dessert when a man approached the table. As soon as Alex saw him, his shoulders drew back, and I felt his tension. He’d been holding my hand as we finished our coffee, and his grip on it tightened. His face became expressionless.

The man stopped, his voice falsely surprised. He held out his hand. “Alexander. How nice to see you.”

Alex pursed his lips, looking at the extended hand. For a moment, I thought he would refuse to shake it, and then he stood and gripped the proffered hand briefly. “Terry,” he muttered.

I stared in surprise. This was the stepbrother.

“Are you going to introduce us?” Terry asked, indicating me.

“I’d rather not. But, Magnolia, this is Terry.”

He held out his hand. “His brother.”

“Stepbrother,” Alex corrected.

I took Terry’s hand, trying not to grimace at his clammy palm. He was decent-looking but lacked Alex’s finesse and image. His chin was weaker, his eyes too close together, and his suit didn’t fit him the way Alex’s skimmed his body. His hair was dark but receding, and his skin had a reddish tinge.

“Surprised to see you out and about,” Terry said. “Not holed up playing in the dirt.”

I couldn’t help my eye roll. What was it with his family?

“What are you doing here, Terry?” Alex asked, ignoring his words.

“Having dinner, of course. My date for the evening is in the ladies’ room.”

“For the evening?” Alex echoed. “Is that all they can stand to be with you?”

Terry narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like to be tied down.”

I wanted to laugh. Terry looked between us, a gleeful, evil smile pulling on his lips. “Wait. Didn’t Mother tell me your new secretary’s name was Magnolia? Fucking the assistant, are we, Alexander?”

Alex flung his napkin on the table and stepped close to Terry. “One more word, Terry, and I’ll take you out back and teach you a lesson you’ll never forget. Apologize to the lady.” He paused, his hands fisted into his sides. “Now.”

“Touch me, and I’ll sue you.”

“Turn and leave. Or risk me doing more than touching you. Once I’m finished, they’ll be burying you in one of those piles of dirt you think I play in.” He leaned close and said something.

Terry blanched, stepped back, and shook his head. “Never able to take a joke, were you, brother?”

The two men glared at each other, their animosity evident. I stood. “Alex, can we go?”