Page 70 of Boss of the Year

My voice cracked with emotion at the end. Joni and I had always had a contentious relationship, but I also knew my place in it. What my value was there.

Now, I wasn’t sure what that was anymore.

“Sometimes I think it was easier just living in her shadow than trying to compete.” The words came out before I realized I’d even thought them.

“Is that why you used to hide? The long skirts, the glasses, the way you’d try to disappear into the walls?”

I felt heat creep up my neck as I turned. “You noticed that?”

“I noticed everything about you.” There was a pregnant pause. “Even when maybe I shouldn’t.”

The flutter was back. The strong one in my stomach, beating like a bird’s wings, now rising to my chest.

I drew my knees up to my chin and laid my cheek on them while I looked at him. “Maybe it was easier just to disappear.”

Lucas watched me for a long time. Then, slowly, his hand reached out and tucked an errant curl behind my ear, trailing across my cheekbone.

Neither of us breathed.

“You couldn’t disappear if you tried, sweet Marie,” he said softly.

The wings in my chest gave another big flap. “Am I sweet? That’s not something anyone has ever called me.”

That rueful smile deepened. Just a little. “Sweet enough for me.”

I found myself looking at his mouth as he spoke, remembering the way it had felt against mine. I liked it when he smiled this way, like a secret just for me. I liked the way his stubble, barely touched with silver, gleamed under the rising moon. And I liked the way those storm-cloud eyes sparked like passing constellations.

His eyes differed from his brother’s clear blue joy, but they had just as much life. Maybe even more swimming in those depths.

At the thought of Daniel, I pulled myself up. “We, um, should get back. I still have to clean the kitchen. And tomorrow is another early day.”

Lucas cleared his throat and stood, straightening his shirt and pulling on his open collar like it had grown too tight. “Yes. Right. It is.” As he turned toward the path we’d taken, he surprised me by offering his hand. “It’s a long walk through the dark. But you still have your guide, I promise.”

I looked at his offer, then back to his face, where there were no signs of guile or game. Just something earnest. Something kind.

I had no business taking my employer’s hand. No business allowing him to tuck mine into his elbow as we headed down another path unknown.

No business at all, wondering what it might be like to have Lucas Lyons hold my hand all the time, even in front of people we knew.

No business wondering what it might be like if I could call him mine.

15

AÇAÍ BOWL

*the antioxidants don’t work if you add too much sugar.

Ipulled the strap of my bikini back over my shoulder as the whir of the blender woke me up. I’d already been awake for two hours after getting a poor night of sleep.

Good night, sweet Marie, Lucas had said again when we had returned from park. Then he’d snagged three of the macarons I’d made for dessert and adjourned for his corner of the penthouse.

I’d spent my night staring at the ceiling, trying to see something other than those stormy eyes and the hidden depths behind their swirling clouds.

As I’d done the next night.

And the night after that.

All right, I thought as I stopped the blender and scooped out the thick blend of frozen açaí berries, protein powder, and fresh cashew milk into a bowl, where it would be topped with homemade macadamia granola, tropical fruit, and honey. It was time to approach the matter logically. Address the facts one by one.