Page 57

“Fine, fine,fine,Charlotte. Yes to all. Now please, let me hop in the shower.”
“Hold on,” she grumbles. “Let me get you a couple shower fizzies so your shower smells extra good. I like pairing strawberry and vanilla.” She disappears into her room.
“A couple?” I call after her, knowing the shower fizzies are even more expensive than the bath bombs. “What do you mean ‘a couple’?”
Tween bath products. Highway-freaking-robbery.
I slip out of Charlie’s room with an empty paper plate in hand. She inhaled her food, leaving me feeling guilty that I don’t buy her enough of the “good stuff.” I wonder if she’s suffering because of my incessant dieting. I make a mental note to have “fun food Fridays” from now on.
Nathan isn’t where I left him. He slinked on to the floor in front of my laptop on the coffee table. He has one knee hiked, the other leg outstretched. He even took off his socks and shoes. He’s so sexy when he’s relaxed.
My boss arrived about fifteen minutes ago with too many takeout bags. He was obviously confused and thought he neededto bring enough Chinese food for the entire defensive line of a professional football team.
“Is your sister hiding because she doesn’t want to meet me?” Nathan asks.
“No. Not at all. I bribed her to leave us alone.”
“With what?”
“Unlimited screen time, and a promise to take her and her bestie to a spa day tomorrow, which I can’t afford.” I still have one more week until my salary advance hits my bank account. Even then, I shouldn’t use that money for treats. Half is for paying off my credit card and other living expenses. The other half is to replenish Charlie’s trust fund. I’ll need to work at least another few years before I can fully replace what Jesse wasted.
Nathan is smiling, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I still feel bad taking over your apartment.”
Placing my hand on my hip, I raise my brows. “Do you want me to demand she and Spike come out?”
“Spike?”
“You two met, remember? Our guinea pig.”
He’s trying to act unbothered, but his body visibly stiffens. “Forgot about that thing. They can stay in there.” He points to Charlie’s door as I burst out in laughter.
“Terrified of guinea pigs. That might be my favorite thing about you, boss.” Well, second-favorite thing, but I’m not telling him what his taut muscles do to me.
“Terrified is a strong word,” he says plainly before changing the subject. “I’m scouring this table, and you did a fantastic job, Spencer. I’m really pleased. Thank you.”
I curtsy. “All in a day’s work. Well, a week’s work. Anyway, you get it. Thankyou.”
“For what?” he asks.
I lift my shoulders barely an inch and release them in a tiny shrug. “For saying thank you.”
His eyes drop to the cheap carpet like he’s ashamed. “I’ll do that more. Promise.” He’s wearing a smile when he looks up. Patting the carpet next to him, he asks, “Ready to dive back in?”
“Yep. I just need to find my phone. I have the voicemail numbers stored in there.” I pat myself down as if I accidentally stashed my phone in my sexiest, black, matching camisole-and-capri pajama set. Obviously I didn’t. The silk set has no pockets.
“Here, I’ll call it.” Nathan pulls out his phone and dials. It’s right when my phone rings from between the couch cushions that I remember how he’s stored in my phone. Unfortunately, Nathan has the same realization almost simultaneously. Unwedging my phone from the cushions, he peers at the screen. Then his jaw drops.
“You found it,” I murmur uncomfortably.
He levels a stare. “Just so I’m clear, is ‘bosshole’ a combination of boss and asshole?”
I lace my fingers together and twiddle my thumbs. “I mean I wouldn’t say asshole per se.”
To my surprise he erupts into a hearty belly laugh. He throws his hand over his chest like he’s trying to prevent his heart bursting from the hilarity. He must feel his movement is restrained, because he proceeds to undo the top button of his dress shirt. It’s immediate hypnosis when I glimpse his smooth, broad chest.
“Okay, come here. Let’s talk,” he finally says.
I drop down at least an arm’s length away. With my back braced against the couch, I tuck my knees to my chest.