Arrogant Boss

I had laughed. “Let’s give it a bit more time, but I think the answer will probably be yes.”

The two weeks until my last day at Hunt moved faster than I had anticipated. They were busy, too-I sat in on interviews with my replacement and finished the projects I had been responsible for.

My spare time was spent building my own fledgling company and contacting potential clients. Michael was already on board, but I couldn’t put all my eggs in one basket, even if the person holding it was Michelin-accredited.

My phone buzzed. Julian: I sent over a spreadsheet for cost calculations. It should help you set up a budget for the first couple of months.

I grinned down at my screen. He’d been more supportive than I ever could have imagined, helping me build this new one-woman business. The opportunity to have Julian Hunt as a business mentor was undeniably one ambitious people all around the world would kill for, and here I was, getting his time for free.

God, but I loved him.

Emily: Thanks! But no more helping me until you’ve written at least 500 words of your speech.

Julian: Bossy.

Emily: I’ve learned from the best. We have to get to the restaurant on time.

Michael and Denise pulled a favor to get us a great table at a place that technically hadn’t opened yet for the public. Not only did they serve amazing South American food, but they could also potentially need promotional help…

Julian: We will, Ace.

Emily: But before you go back to work…

I sent him a photo of the long, sleek dress I’d picked out from a high-end store in town. It had fit me like a glove. Denise had given me two thumbs up and scrambled to find her phone to take a photo when I’d come out of the trying room.

Emily: How’s this for the awards gala?

Julian: You look stunning. How am I supposed to concentrate on writing this speech now?Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I grinned at his exaggeration and the way his praise made me feel. The gala he had invited me to was in two weeks’ time, an annual awards ceremony for innovation and app design. Everyone who’s anyone in the tech world would be there… and me, with Julian-official and public.

The idea had made me wildly nervous when he asked me, but he’d just pressed a kiss to my neck and told me that we didn’t have to go. That he’d do whatever I wanted.

But the idea of being on his arm, of supporting him when he won that award (I didn’t have any doubts about that-he’d win)… I couldn’t not go. Not to mention that Julian in a tux was a very effective incentive.

Emily: I’ll leave you alone now. Not another word from you until you have a first draft!

His response was immediate.

Julian: 😀

I laughed out loud at my phone. Technically not another word, so he wasn’t breaking the rules. He could be so silly.

I slid my phone back into my pocket and continued packing the stuff from my office. My last day at Hunt Industries. Who would have known this was where I’d end up?

That I’d only work here for three months?

Or that I would leave, having somehow gained everything I could ever dream of?

I cleared my throat and took another sip of wine. Emily’s warm hand squeezed mine underneath the table.

“You’ll be great up there,” she murmured next to me.

I shot her a grateful smile. Somehow she knew exactly when I was nervous, when my ego needed a boost or when I needed to be knocked down a peg.

I squeezed her hand back.

Ryan sat in the seat to my left, the ends of his bowtie already lazily undone. That rascal. He reached for his glass and I shot him a warning glance.

“Take it slow.”

“I’m twenty-one,” he said.

“Exactly.”

He rolled his eyes and took a sip, but I saw the smile hovering on the edge of his lips. It hadn’t been particularly difficult to convince the event organizers to give me two extra tickets, one for Ryan and one for Turner.

For Turner, because it was a great chance to network and meet other people in this business.

For Ryan, because Emily had reminded me that if I won it would be great to have family there. It had shamed me slightly that I had to be reminded of that. For so long, I’d thought of Ryan as my little brother, not someone I could lean on for support or I could hang out with as a friend.

But here he was, looking dapper and grown up next to me. Emily had said that we looked alike when we picked him up earlier in the limo. He’d rolled his eyes but given her a pleased grin, and my chest had tightened. If only my father could have been alive to see how great both his sons had turned out.

Emily’s hand squeezed mine again under the table and I turned to her. She was a vision tonight, dark hair swept up high and green eyes lined and enhanced. And the red dress… it clung to her skin, even as it rose high to cover her cleavage and ended at the floor. I’d have to ask her to wear it again for me.

At home.

She smiled at me. “Next category, Julian.”

“I know.” I leaned in closer, spoke in her ear. “Do you know that every man in here has been aware of you since we came tonight? You’re the most beautiful woman here.”

I could feel the warmth of blush in her cheeks. “Julian,” she chided.

“I mean it, Ace.” I smoothed my thumb over her palm. “And I’m so glad you came tonight. That you’re here with me.”

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

Ryan hit my shoulder. “Look alive, man.”

I broke away from Emily’s gaze to see the grey-haired presenter resume his place at the podium. A respectful hush fell over the room.

“We’ve reached the end of the night, and with it, our most prestigious award. You’ve been patient so far, but let me put you out of your misery. This year has seen some truly astonishing new inventions and discoveries. With every passing month, mankind comes closer and closer to solving some of the most pressing issues of our time with the help of technology. I’m honored to be in a room with so many of these thinkers tonight.”

We all broke out into applause as the presenter paused, glancing out over the audience. My throat felt dry, despite the fact that I’d told myself this didn’t matter. My work did. Recognition came second, or even third.

“With that said, we’re here tonight to pay tribute to someone who has shown a tireless commitment to showing how technology can solve real-life problems. This year, he launched never before seen software specifically designed to ensure that health care is more accessible. In a bold move, he designed an accompanying app and delivered the whole thing pro-bono to any hospital, private and public, that want to try it.”

Emily’s hand tightened around mine and I heard Ryan’s excited intake of breath.