Page 173 of Boss of Me

I toss the phone down as if I’ve been burned. Five seconds later, I snatch it up again and fire off a reply:I told you to leave me alone.

His response is immediate:Look outside.

I swivel my chair around to look out my office window. My eyes widen when I see a plane flying a banner that reads:I’m truly sorry, Marlowe. Please forgive me.

My foolish heart twists in my chest.

Through the glass wall, I can see my coworkers crowded around the window, pointing and whispering excitedly. Lilith stands in her office doorway, watching me with knowing sympathy.

I turn away from the window and take a deep breath, marshaling my defenses before typing into my phone:I spent my whole life being mistreated by my mother, for reasons I never knew. I won’t accept the same cruelty from the man I love—a man who can’t evenbring himself to say those three magic words. No matter how many gimmicks you try, or how many different phone numbers you use, I’m not talking to you. So save yourself the trouble and stop contacting me.

I hit send and block his new number, my jaw set with resolve.

Ignoring the prying stares of my coworkers, I calmly make my way to the restroom, lock myself in a stall and spend the next twenty minutes silently bawling my eyes out.

Chapter Forty

gunner

“Wonderful speech, mr. ransom. so inspiring.”

“Thank you, Ms. Duffy,” I say to the perky middle-aged blonde pumping my hand. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“I’m not the only one,” she gushes. “You had the whole audience hanging on your every word. Any man who can keep a bunch of teenagers off TikTok for more than ten minutes has my total respect. Andwhatan amazing turnout. You must be so pleased.”

“Of course,” I murmur, my gaze skimming over the lingering crowd.

Hundreds of community leaders, corporate donors, students and families attended tonight’s scholarship awards ceremony. The Ransom Global Foundation hosts the annual event to celebrate high school seniors interested in tech careers. I always look forward to the special evening, and it hurts like hell not having Marlowe here beside me.

“We can’t thank you enough for your generosity,” Ms. Duffy gushes some more, wrapping an arm around her biracial son’s shoulders. “Zachary was sooo excited to win the Young Innovator Award.”

“He earned it,” I say warmly. “He’s bright and talented, works hard and enjoys helping others. We’re confident he’ll thrive in our internship program next summer.”

Mother and son beam at my praise.

“I’d definitely love to work for Pantheon one day,” Zachary enthuses. “You guys have some of the coolest apps out there, plus you’re the best CEO.”

“Well played,” I tease, ruffling his curly black hair.

My brother joins us, drawing Ms. Duffy’s attention. While they chat, I sling an arm around Zachary’s shoulders and murmur in his ear, “You need to rethink some of your extracurricular activities. Hacking, specifically.”

His eyes bug out. “H-How did you?—”

“I have eyes everywhere.”

He gulps nervously. “I . . . I just?—”

“Believe me, I understand the impulse. But you’re leaving too many crumbs, kiddo, and I don’t want you getting caught before I’ve had a chance to unlock your full potential.” I wink at him. “Lay low for a while. Enjoy your senior year, go to prom. Then get ready for an unforgettable internship where you’ll learn from the best. Deal?”

He smiles. “Deal.”

“Attaboy,” I say, ruffling his hair again.

His mother touches my arm. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but I thought your banner last week was so romantic. I hope it worked on your girlfriend. But if not?—”

“Mom,” Zachary groans, doing a facepalm. “Can you just chill for once?”

She laughs, batting her lashes at me and Maverick.