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I rubbed my thumb gently over the back of his hand. “I’ll just go in,” I said. “I’ve got this.”

He squeezed my hand. “I know you do, Joss. I know you do.”

We left the house at the same time, him headed to Redtail, me to Denmarke Global. I made my usual stop for coffee along the way, though I skipped ordering one for myself. Coffee and I were not currently on good terms—one of many recent betrayals by my pregnant body. It also hated diet cola. Water and tea it was.

I walked into Harold’s office without knocking, setting the coffee in front of him and plopping down into the chair across from his desk.

“Hey, Harold, can we talk?”

He looked up from his computer, a knowing look already on his face. “And by talk, you mean you want to not take on clients for a while.”

I blinked. He was so close. “How’d you know that? Did Garner call you?”

“No, nothing like that.” He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. “You’re pregnant. You’re mated. All your instincts are going to be screaming at you to stay close to your den, to your mate. Am I wrong?”

I sighed. “No. You’re right. But I can’t figure out the best way to deal with that.”

“I have an idea, if you want to hear it.” He picked up his coffee and took a long sip. “Is this one of today’s specials? Barista’s choice?”

I smiled.

“Coconut, almond, mocha?” he guessed.

“You’re getting good at these.” It was my favorite milkshake combination, so I figured it was worth a shot for Harold.

“I like the combo.” He set his cup down and dove back into work talk. “Or… what about just being a silent partner for a while? No pressure, nothing formal. Nothing permanent unless you want it to be. Just step back. Let the machine run without you for a bit.”

“That’s not fair to you.”

“It is,” he said firmly. “This company is what it is because of the work we’ve done together. But right now, it’s on autopilot. I’vealready handed off more tasks to the new hires we brought on. Honestly, I think it’s time we both slowed down a little.”

I swallowed. “I’ve also been thinking about… maybe getting another job.”

His eyebrows rose and he smiled wide. “At Redtail?”

I nodded. “Seriously. Did Garner call you?”

“No.” He laughed. “He didn’t. I guessed. Because if I were in your shoes, that’s exactly where I’d go.”

We spent the rest of the morning going over logistics. He insisted I keep my desk but forward my phone line to him so I wouldn’t have to worry about anything. I couldn’t have asked for a more understanding friend—or a better business partner.

From there, I went straight to Redtail, right to my mate’s office, and knocked on his door.

“Come in.”

I opened the door and stepped inside. “Hey, I was wondering if you’re hiring?”

Garner looked up, and the moment his eyes met mine, he crossed the room in a few long strides and pulled me into a hug that lifted my feet off the ground.

“As it happens,” he murmured into my ear, “I need a personal assistant.”

“You’re not afraid you’ll be accused of nepotism?” I teased, nuzzling into his shoulder.

“They can accuse away. It wouldn’t be wrong.” He kissed my cheek with a smack. “It is nepotism. I’m the CEO. That’s kind of the perk of the job—hiring your mate.”

I laughed, holding onto him tightly. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You love it.”