Page 27 of Fair Trade (New York Monarchs #2)

twenty-three

I’m enjoying the last sips of my milkshake when I get a companywide email informing all employees to work from home today and tomorrow. Other than a command to wrap up whatever we’re working on and be out of the building in the next thirty minutes, there wasn’t much information.

I start to pack up my things when I get another email notification.

I freeze when I see his name in my inbox.

I saw the man in the flesh earlier, but we’ve always been different people when we write to one another, and I can’t let myself fall down that rabbit hole again.

I consider ignoring the email, but I don’t think straight-up ignoring my boss is going to help me either, so I click it open.

I stare at my screen, unblinking.

Did he…? No. He did not. Could not.

I sigh deeply.

But of course he did. Because he’s Nicholas Stonehaven.

“Your dad is insane.” Delilah places her sweet face on my lap, requesting more head scratches. “And I guess you both love attention.” I chuckle as I pet her soft head.

I hear three rapid knocks before my door opens. I brace myself to rip Nick a new one for not waiting to be invited inside, but clamp my mouth shut when I realize it’s Richard.

We’ve been getting along… for the most part.

But he still calls me “kid” every now and then and doesn’t try to hide his annoyance at answering to me.

I don’t know why I haven’t addressed the issue head-on.

Maybe because I was raised to respect my elders or because I don’t want to develop a reputation of being problematic in the workplace.

But neither of those reasons excuses the disrespect Richard has displayed, and I think it’s time I pulled back on the reins.

“There better be a fire in the stadium or a mass evacuation happening. Otherwise, what other reason would there be to barge into my office, Richard?” I pin him with a questioning brow.

His face turns bright red with embarrassment, which he attempts to tamp down on by nodding once as he clears his throat.

“Right. I, uh, thought I heard you say to come in. Sorry, but I read the email that we have to leave the premises, and we have that important call with Jake Bryant’s agent later today.

You have any idea what’s going on? This is all so last-minute.

Why didn’t they alert us of this before we came into work today? ”

“I don’t have an answer for you on that,” I lie, because like hell am I going to tell him that our boss is sending us all home because he wants me to take it easy while I’m on my period.

“But we’ll still have the phone call with Bryant’s team.

The call link will remain the same. It was never a video conference, so we’ll carry on as scheduled, from our own homes. ”

He nods thoughtfully, looking around my office until his eyes land on Delilah and his face scrunches. “You brought your pet into work today?” he asks, judgment lacing his tone.

I straighten in my chair. “No. She isn’t my pet. She’s—”

“She’s mine,” Nick’s voice booms from the doorway, causing Richard to jolt as he turns to meet his icy glare.

I panic for a moment before I realize that Nick was referring to his dog.

I think.

Although being claimed by Nick doesn’t feel all that terrible.

Keep it together, woman. One day back, and you’re already losing all of your senses.

“Oh, I didn’t realize we had a pet-friendly workplace.” Richard fake laughs, turning his question my way. “Any reason why you’re pet-sitting for the boss?” Condescension drips from his lips.

I can see the moment Nick is about to lash out with his words, but I raise my hand as I speak. “In case you’ve forgotten, Richard, we’re all supposed to be packing to leave for the rest of the day. I suggest you get to it and prepare for our call.”

He almost seems miffed I didn’t take the bait. Assuming that I’d react like a “fiery Latina” as the media has, at times, reduced me to.

But in true Richard fashion, he doesn’t seem to know when to quit. “About that.” He turns back to Nick. “Care to explain the sudden need for us to leave?” He places his hands in his pockets, giving Nick a mildly disapproving look.

Nick mirrors his stance as he takes a step closer, towering over him.

“No.” Richard fumbles for the right words, but Nick deems them unnecessary.

“Unless you need assistance leaving the facility, please make your exit. You have five minutes.” He opens my office door wider and waves for him to step out.

Richard seems truly baffled by the gesture but, probably thinking better than to go toe to toe with Nick, leaves quickly.

Nick closes the door harder than necessary, then turns my way.

“I had it handled.” I cross my arms over my chest. Delilah whines due to the loss of her head scratches, so I drop my arms back down to give her what she wants while accidentally triggering the voice I only use while speaking to adorable pups.

“Okay, fine. One more minute, and then I gotta get outta here because your daddy is Mr. Crazy Pants. Yes, he is. So, so crazy. He should get his noggin checked for head trauma.” She yips happily.

“I agree. You should put holes in all his fancy suits, but make sure to start with his shoes. I love stepping on them every chance I get,” I coo into her blissed-out face.

I wait a few seconds, expecting Nick to chime in. When silence greets me, I look up, only to wish I hadn’t.

I thought I’d seen every version of this man. Every sexy and infuriating feature. I was ready to act like the last month hadn’t happened. To jump back into a bickering relationship with my boss that would go nowhere.

But the look of absolute adoration as he stares down at me with his dog has me rethinking it all at lightning speed.

The worst part? I like that look. Way too much to deny that I could fall for this man if I’m not careful.

I cursed his mere existence after I thought he had played me for a fool, and yet today, with a few interactions and a couple of cuddles with his dog, I feel myself ready to melt into a puddle for him.

I was so enraptured by our game of cat and mouse that I didn’t realize how far I had fallen into his trap.

Even if this last month was all a big misunderstanding, it doesn’t change a thing.

He’s still my boss.

Objectively an asshole but, one could argue, with good intentions.

And, unfortunately, the only man that has ever held the power to set my world on fire with a simple touch.

I need to set better boundaries around Nick, and I need him to be on board, because my pitiful willpower can only take so much.

“I don’t think I want to know what’s running through that head of yours, Angel,” he whispers softly.

I squeeze my eyes shut and push down my desire to hear him call me Angel while tangled up in bed.

“Nick—”

“I’m sorry, I—wait. Did you just call me Nick?” he asks cautiously.

“That is your name, is it not?”

“You never call me Nick.” He eyes me warily.

“This,” I point between the two of us, “is a dysfunctional—yet enjoyable, at times— working relationship. That’s something we both seem to forget every now and then.

But this merry-go-round stops here. It’s safer to keep things professional.

At least as professional as you and I are capable of being. ”

His hand rubs against his clenched jaw. “I know it was fucked what I did, letting you believe—”

“Yes, it was. But it doesn’t matter. We’re both here for the same reason, and that’s to make this the best team the MLB has ever seen. And I personally can’t do that when I don’t know what version of my boss I’m going to get.”

I stand and grab hold of Delilah’s leash, bringing it up and placing it in Nick’s hand. His brief touch has me taking a step back and playing off how affected I am by the brush of his fingers.

He chuckles darkly as he shakes his head.

“Of course. As you wish, Luisa.” All traces of vulnerability are locked up tightly behind his impeccable suit when he hits me with that arrogant smirk.

“Business as usual is what you can expect from me.” He pulls on Delilah’s leash softly, and this time, she goes with him without any protest.

It’s ridiculous how sad that makes me.

“Enjoy working from home this week, but when we get back, I need a full analysis of the state of our players and any trades you have in mind. Because make no mistake, Luisa, I expect this team to make it all the way to the World Series, and I’m counting on you to make that happen.”

I match his smirk and meet his arrogance head-on.

Now this is a version of Nick I can handle. There is nothing I love more than cutting a man at his knees and proving what I’m made of.

I give Delilah a little wave as I grab my bag and phone and meet Nick by my open door.

“As you wish, boss.”