Page 105 of The Boss I Can't Stand

“Ugh,” Ro said, fighting off a fake shiver. “Then I’d have to watch them make out through my camera lens for months. That’s a hard pass. Bad enough I have to see it in public as it is.”

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head at her complaining. I still remembered when she’d wanted to blow up that cover of Finn and me onUS Weeklyand hang it on the wall.

“That should probably qualify for hazard pay,” Michael said, looking down at Ro with what could only be called a twinkle in his eye.

“Right!” Ro declared.

Hmm…I thought, noticing the way she grinned back at him. I turned back to Finn as the delivery guys unloaded more cases of Tastea. Bells started going off in my head. “Now when you say you invested in the company?—”

“Did I say invest?” Finn corrected. “I meant bought.” He kissed me on the cheek. “I’m not messing around.”

I pursed my lips, trying not to smile at his ridiculous gesture. “Your dedication is noted, but I don’t need you out here just buying up companies.”

“I’m diversifying my portfolio,” he said, tapping my nose with his finger. “Now, how’s the shop? Have everything you need?”

“It’s almost perfect,” I said.

“Almost?”

“What happened to Merle?”

“Oh, did I forget the best part?” he said, giving me a sly grin before popping back into the hall and rolling Merle in on a dolly. The mannequin was now clad in a Hawaiian shirt similar to what Paisley always wore.

The can of RevX formerly taped to his hand had been replaced with a cardboard sign that read: DO NOT GIVE THE COSTUME DESIGNER ENERGY DRINKS. RULE BREAKERS WILL BE VOLUNTOLD FOR LAUNDRY DUTY.

I gave him a flat look. “Really?”

“I’ve got a lot of years of RevX damage to undo,” he said. “And I take my job very seriously. Because you’re very important to me.”

“You’re gonna make Ro apply for hazard pay if you’re not careful,” I said.

Finn cupped my jaw, running his thumb over my cheek. “Hate to break it to you, but Ro’s not paying any attention to us.”

A bubble of laughter rippled through the room, and I glanced over at Ro, her cheeks bright red as she laughed at something Michael had said.

Hmmm…I thought again. “On-set romance?” I asked Finn.

He leaned in close and groaned against the side of my head. “God, I hope not. We just got the new audio equipment set up, and I don’t even want to know what kind of shenanigans that’ll pick up. I can’t handle another messy X-and-Mom type of incident.”

“Maybe you’re the one who’s gonna need the hazard pay then,” I said, and we both broke into laughter. “But a little mess can be a good thing.”

His gaze softened as he stared down at me, his arms wrapping around my waist. “The best thing of all.”

39

FINN

“You think they’re ever going to stop glaring at me?” X said as he came to stand beside me in the living room. “Sort of feels like I have a dartboard on my back.”

I sighed, giving him an understanding pat on the shoulder. “Sorry, but I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

He hummed, sipping his drink, and I could tell he was genuinely bothered.

“Give it time,” I said. “Liam and Connor will come around.” I hoped. “They just need a few more family visits with everyone together.”

“Sure,” X said. “And maybe my left kidney as a sign of good faith.”

“Couldn’t hurt.” I’d flown into San Francisco earlier with Sierra, Liam, and Mia for one of our monthly family dinners, this time hosted at Mom’s house. X was a regular attendee at this point, but Sierra and I seemed to be the only ones who’d gotten past being suspicious of him.