Page 98 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess

A tall man stands there in a dark blue suit, his tie perfectly in place. His smile is cold, and it makes me take half a step back. He comes across as threatening, and his smile doesn't make it any better. Attractive? Absolutely. But he doesn’t seem at all likable.

“Miss Waverley. Punctual. To the second. You haven’t been waiting out here, have you?”

“You caught me,” I admit, taking his outstretched hand. His grip is firm, commanding. His gaze fixes me and he tugs me forward, forcing me to close the half step I’d taken back.

“Please. Come in.”

He releases me, giving me an obvious one-over. “Exquisite taste. I didn’t expect you to dress like this.”

He seems pleased.

“I rarely wear things like this,” I confess, a little embarrassed.

“A woman like you should never wear anything else.” His words flatter me more than I’d like to admit. I’m not used to so many compliments.

He steps aside, letting me pass, but as soon as I do, the ground shifts beneath me.

I thought we’d be alone.

Alexander is here.

I freeze in the doorway and while the door is still open and is a perfect escape, I can’t move.

“I asked a good friend to join us tonight. We had a few things to discuss, and since he also has a PA, I thought he’d be able to ask the right questions.” Mr. Volt shuts the door, his hand settling lightly on my back as he gestures toward a chair opposite Alexander. “Please, sit. Oh, and I’d prefer it if we were on a first-name basis. Just call me Matthias.”

Completely overwhelmed, I manage only a curt nod. “Yes. Gladly.”

Alex just sits there, his face unreadable, observing me. Matthias sits beside him. I hesitate, still standing. No sense pretending I don’t know what this is. So, I'm simply honest and force a scrap of courage to the surface.

“So, you two know each other?”

My résumé did list Alex—there’s no way Matthias missed that.

“Not for very long,” Matthias says. Alex doesn’t say a word.

“Well, then I probably don’t need to explain why I’d like to change my workplace,” Now more than ever, I need to stand my ground.

I adjust the chair back—the bottom of my dress is voluminous, and I need the space—then sit, lift the whiskey glass, and hold it out to Matthias. “I could use a little of that too.”

He smiles, pours, and I wait until he clinks glasses with me before I drink. Alex, on the other hand, just keeps observing me.

“So? What questions do you have for me?” I ask, taking a few sips.

“Are you always this confident?” Matthias asks, looking amused.

“Yes.”

“How do you feel about overtime?”

“Reluctant—but sometimes it’s unavoidable.”

“Working weekends?”

“If it’s well-paid, yes.”

“Trips abroad?”

“I’m happy to go.”