The Boss Project by Vi Keeland

“You broke your phone, too?”

“No, I use a case, so that doesn’t happen. Unlike you. The repair is for you, silly. He said it will take about ten minutes. Just pop in and tell him you’re my sister.”

“Oh, awesome. Thank you.” She sighed and slouched. “I wish I had your energy. I started a new batch of hormones to get ready for the next round of IVF, and they’re sucking the life out of me.”

I frowned. “Sorry.”

Greer waved me off. “Not your fault. Hey—what do you call men with a low sperm count?”

“I don’t know, what?”

“Incum Inequality.”

I laughed. “I hope you didn’t share that with your sweet husband.”

She shoved the rest of the cupcake in her mouth. “Of course I did. And since we’re on the subject of sperm, how was your date last night? That Will was hot, too. Is every guy gorgeous where you work?”

“I told you, it wasn’t a date.”

“He picked you up and broke your zipper. What do I call it, a hookup?”

I shook my head. “It wasn’t like that at all. The zipper was stuck, and I asked him to try to wiggle it down, but it tore away from the dress. We just went to a work function together. I’m new, so the boss asked him to ride with me so he could introduce me around when we arrived. He disappeared an hour after we got there with some woman who’d been making googly eyes at him since the minute we walked in. Plus, he’s not my type.”

“Oh…” She nodded. “So he’s faithful and not a douche?”

“Let’s not remind me about Christian. I actually haven’t given him much thought lately.”

“Well, that’s good. Maybe it’s time you move on, then. You know, put yourself out there.”

My mind instantly went to Merrick last night. I’d found his eyes focused on my lips more than once. “Let me ask you something. When a guy’s eyes linger on your lips, does it always mean he’s thinking about kissing you?”

“Definitely not.”

I frowned. “Oh.”

“Did you have lipstick on?”

“Yeah.”

“Might some have been on your teeth?”

“No, I don’t think so. I looked in the mirror after I applied it.”

She pointed to her teeth. “Did you eat spinach?”

I shook my head.

“Is he deaf?”

I chuckled. “No.”

Greer shrugged. “Then yeah, he was thinking about using your lips for dick pillows.”

I laughed. “And here I thought maybe it meant he wanted to kiss me.”

“Nah. Women think about kissing. Men think about blowjobs.”

I sighed.

Greer walked to the refrigerator and pulled out the orange juice. “Who was fantasizing about your mouth?”

“I don’t know if he was fantasizing about anything, but I caught Merrick’s eyes lingering a few times.”

“As in your jerk, hot boss, Merrick? The one I met for two minutes and noticed looking at you in that sort of way that’s more than a look?”

I nodded.

“Oh boy. I know I teased you about how hot he is, but do you think it’s a good idea to go there?”

I shook my head. “Definitely not. He’s my boss. Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. But I am undeniably attracted to him. He’s softened a lot since we first met. I don’t know what it is—aside from the obvious, he’s very handsome—but I’m drawn to him. He’s kind of hard and stern on the outside, but then every once in a while, you get a glimpse of a soft inside. Being around him kind of awakens something in me. It’s made me realize just how dead my relationship with Christian was, long before he buried us.”

“What’s bossman’s deal? Does he have a girlfriend?”

“Not that I’m aware of—he’s said he isn’t dating anyone seriously. Though he’s pretty private about his personal life. I know he was engaged to a woman he started his firm with. She apparently died, but Will once mentioned that she’d annihilated him—whatever that means. I’m not sure what happened there.”

“Well, I want you to get back out there and enjoy yourself. You deserve to be happy. But maybe you should tread lightly with that one. The only thing more wrought with issues than dating your boss is dating a guy who’s carrying a ghost around with him.”





CHAPTER 13

Merrick



Nine years ago



“Hey, wait up!” I jogged to catch up to Amelia. I’d been looking for her all over campus for a week.

Her stride never broke as I fell in step. “You?” she said. “Are you back to invite me for another card game or just to watch my ass as I walk?”

I shrugged. “Both?”

She snickered. “Now why would you want to play cards with me when you know I’ll kick your ass and take all your money again?”

“Will you go out with me instead?”

She shook her head.

“Welp, then cards it is for now.”

“For now, huh?” She rolled her eyes, but there was an unmistakable twinkle in them. “When’s the game?”

“Tonight. Seven o’clock.”