Page 73 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess

“It’s my office,” I reply, caught off guard by her question. But suddenly I’m the nervous one. I loosen my tie as I walk closer. Kim goes back to her tablet, types a few notes, then sets it aside.

“That was just a little joke,” she says, looking up again. “Anyway, I went shopping, restocked everything, and managed to finish the presentation for tomorrow. That went faster than I thought.”

She doesn't let anything show. Is she just playing the cheerful, dedicated assistant who's seething inside and would love to tear me apart? Or does she truly suspect nothing?

“Very good.” I settle into the armchair, watching her doubtfully.

“I’ll get started on the emails next. A bunch piled up that need answering. Unless you have something higher priority I can take off your hands?" she asks.

“No. I… just wanted to thank you for picking up my watch. It belonged to my father, so it’s priceless to me.”

“That’s my job. That’s what I’m here for.” She smiles sweetly again.

Maybe I’ve misread the last few days. Maybe Kim really does only want to work for me. Maybe she doesn’t have feelings I could have hurt. She doesn’t even show a flicker of jealousy. Not even a trace.

“Yes. You were probably surprised where it was…” I test her again.

“That’s none of my business. But next time, you could at least let me know where you’re going. In case something happens, I need to be able to reach you. You’re a grown man—I have no sayin your private life.” Her voice is calm, conciliatory, almost like she’s trying to ease the weight off my shoulders.

“Okay. Next time I’ll do that.”

“Good. Then I’ll finish the emails. I should be done in about an hour.”

“Then we’ll pick up Rosie and—”

“Do you want to cook again?” she cuts in.

There’s a flicker of tension in her tone. Or am I imagining it?

“Yes. Gladly. Cooking relaxes me.”

Kim nods at that. “Do you want to stay here in my office or go to yours?”

“I’ll go to mine. You still have a few calls lined up—I scheduled them. After that, you’re done for today.”

“Okay.”

Kim gets up and leaves my office in good spirits. She’s not angry. Or jealous either. Maybe the tension I noticed was just because the subject was awkward for her, nothing more.

And if that’s true, then I don’t need to feel guilty about meeting Caroline and spending the night with her.

It’s better this way. Nothing should happen between Kim and me. She’s doing an excellent job, and it should stay that way.

I call HR to prepare Kim’s permanent contract. She can pick it up and bring it to me later for my signature.

I don’t particularly like making phone calls. I prefer visiting manufacturers in person. But sometimes I can’t avoid them. So now I sit and work through them. There isn’t much left, anyway.

Still, during the calls, I keep picking up my phone. Starting to type something to Cornelius. Deleting it again.

On the way home—just before we pick up Rosie—we sit in the limo. Kim is on her phone, and I’m on mine.

And so, I text Cornelius: "When will Caroline be back in London?"

It takes only a few moments before he texts back: "I can have her flown in for you on Sunday."

That would be perfect timing.

By then we’ll be back from Italy, Rosie will be with her mother again, and I could spend the evening with Caroline.