Page 25 of The Boss

I stare at my computer screen, pretending to review Levi's calendar for next week even though Matthew won't be here to need it. The cursor blinks at me like it's mocking my ability to plan ahead. Which is fair. Because apparently I've developed the long-term thinking skills of a goldfish.

My phone vibrates.

Jaden: Emergency meeting in the supply closet. Bring chocolate.

Me: Can't. Pretending to work while having an existential crisis.

Jaden: That's what the chocolate is for.

Before I can respond, my office phone rings. The extension makes my stomach drop. Matthew.

"Can you come in here?"

"Of course."

With shaking hands, I walk the ten feet to his door, which feels like walking a plank. When I step inside, Matthew is behind the desk—Levi's desk, our desk, the scene of several crimes against workplace professionalism. I can never look at it the same way again, and maybe I should just spend my next paychecks buying a new one for Levi.

But what stops me cold is that Levi is here too, sitting in one of the chairs across from Matthew. He doesn't look happy.

"Close the door please," Matthew says.

I close it and sit in the chair next to Levi, who gives me a look I can't read. Matthew slides a folder across the desk toward me.

"What's this?"

"A job offer."

I scrunch my forehead. "A job offer."

"Executive assistant to the CEO. Astor Group headquarters. New York."

"I already have a job."

"This one pays three times what you're making now. Full benefits, relocation package, corner office on the forty-second floor."

Three times. I open the folder and look at the salary figure, and my brain goes completely blank. No freaking way. That's not a number that belongs in my life. That's not a number that belongs in anyone's life who isn't related to someone famous or running their own drug cartel.

"This is..." I look up at Matthew, then at Levi, then back at Matthew. "This is a lot of money."

"You're worth it."

Levi clears his throat. "I knew this would happen. The second I walked into my kitchen and saw you two making breakfast, I knew I was losing my EA. I called it, and now the universe is making it come true."

"Levi—"

Levi waves a hand dismissively, casting a glare at Matthew before looking at me. "It's fine, Vivian. Well, it's not fine, it's a complete disaster for me personally, and I'll spend the next few weeks sulking, but I understand." He rests his elbows on his knees. "You've run this office better than I ever could. You've covered for me, cleaned up after me, and made me look competent for two years. If anyone deserves a corner office on the forty-second floor, it's you."

Something warm and painful lodges in my throat. Levi gave me this job when I was twenty-three and had been job-hopping. He took a chance on me because I was the only applicant who actually read the job description and asked questions about the company and day-to-day responsibilities and expectations, not just the salary and benefits.

Tears prick my eyes as I smile at him. "Thank you."

He stands up and squeezes my shoulder. "Besides, Angela's going to need help getting the nursery ready, and I'd rather focus on that than finding someone to replace you. Matthew promised to help."

"No one's replacing me. You're screwed."

Levi chuckles. "Completely screwed."

"You're the best boss I've ever had."