Page 37 of Bargain With the Boss

“Not a chance.”

Chapter 10

Xavier

I clicked off my fifth zoom meeting for the day and put my head down on my desk.

“Sir, you have?—”

“Devon, if you tell me one more time about the next meeting I’m going to scream.”

“I think you’ll appreciate this bit of news. Your two and three o’clock have been rescheduled.”

I sat up. “Really?”

“Yes. You do have the Japan call this evening, but I suggest you go have some—” My assistant cut off when I stood.

“Lunch. God, yes. I need to get out of this place for a few hours.” I hung my jacket off the back of my chair and yanked at my tie. It looked like a simple tie, but the words “fuck off” were printed in the smallest of fonts and in the shape of a stripe. A gift from my sister which made me laugh every time I wore it.

I draped that over my jacket and unbuttoned my light blue shirt.

Devon sighed. “Must you strip every time you leave?”

I reached into the bottom drawer of my desk for my Loki T-shirt. I had a rotation of Avengers shirts for the times I couldescape my office. I could go with a regular undershirt, but I enjoyed Devon’s appalled faces.

“It’s hot out there, Dev. This is so I look professional and unwilted when I get back.”

“You could have extra dress shirts, sir. I have a closet of them for you.”

“I know.” I patted his shoulder on my way back. “Because you are the literal best assistant and I don’t deserve you.”

“As long as you’re aware of it, sir.”

I laughed as I headed out into the main office. I spotted my father and slipped around the back of room to the stairs instead of the elevator. I didn’t need to deal with him today, thanks.

Once outside, I started for my convertible but rerouted to the garage. My mechanic had dropped off my Honda Shadow last week and I hadn’t had time to bring it back to my house. It was a damn good day for a ride.

And I was craving a lobster roll from The Shanty.

Since I had a few hours to kill, I took the scenic route, letting the rumble of the engine blow out all the stresses of the day. It was surprisingly stressful to play nice all day with clients who thought bonds were the height of investment. In this market they weren’t even the safe bet, but a lot of my father’s contemporaries were tied to the past.

Ten minutes into the ride, the tightness in my shoulders had flown off behind me. The days like this were exactly why I never strayed far from the Cove for long. I could smell the lake before I saw her. Boats were out in full force today. I did a quick drive-by of Lakeview Terrace. The workers were there and the dumpsters looked packed to the gills. Good sign.

Gavin’s truck was missing so he was probably on another job. He always had a half dozen projects going at once. I never knew anyone who worked so hard.

Not wanting to get in the way, I let my tires eat up Lake Road. The food trucks beaconed. I should be smart and stop there instead and get back to the office, but I gunned it and headed along the far side of the lake where the boardwalk and watercraft rentals were. The Shanty was right in the heart of the tourist area.

School was still in session in New York, but some people were already visiting from the southern states. Kids and parents were filling the summer rental properties, enjoying the pre-season lulls.

Or maybe not such a lull. The pier and beach crawled with people.

The scent of buttery lobster finally overpowered the crisp breeze off the water. I grinned as a boy did a cannonball off the large raft floating a few yards from the pier. A handful of girls on towels shrieked as they were doused.

I remembered doing the same to my sister’s friends. Some things stayed the same on the lake.

I scanned the water and noticed the slips on the pier were empty save for two sloops. One had a trio of guys hauling a massive chest onto the deck. Ten bucks there was a helluva lot of beer inside. The other had two women sitting on the side of the bow with their feet dangling over the edge.

I moved closer to the boat, frowning at the tail of red hair flapping in the breeze. It was tucked through the back of a ball cap. The woman had a dark pink sarong draped over her shoulders against the blazing sun. It looked vaguely familiar.