Page 7 of A Bossy Surprise

Maurice huffs and barrels out of the room. As he goes, he says, “This place won’t survive without me.”

“I sincerely doubt that,” I say, and a few people around the room chuckle. “Now, is there anyone else who would like to leave?” I pause for several moments. When no one else raises any objections, I nod. “Good, now let’s move on.”

3

KAYLA

Thirty Minutes Earlier…

I don’t considermyself to be a particularly lucky person, but the events of this past week seem to contradict that.

It has always been my dream to coordinate news production at a news house. I am not picky. I didn’t care whether it was for one of the major players in the industry, or a struggling station. Whichever one it ended up being, I figured it would take at least 10 years to get there.

So you can imagine my surprise when at the age of 25, only three years on the job, my boss, Jerry Maxwell, retires and I get offered his position as News Division Head at GNN.

I knew Arthur was a maverick, but to put me at the top of the news division was so out of left field. That’s exactly why I can’t blow this opportunity.

I know there are many people waiting for me to fail so they can confirm whatever biases they have about people with my demographic characteristics.

I’m going to do whatever it takes to show the world that I deserve this job and I can do it well.

There is no better time than now. This is an election year. If I can make our election coverage standout, not only would I put GNN on the map, but I will practically solidify my position here.

I have so many ideas. I want to hit the ground running, but I haven’t been able to do so. Arthur hasn’t announced my promotion just yet.

I’m guessing that’s why he’s assembled all of us here.

“I have a million things that I should be doing right now. What is this meeting about?” Amanda, my work bestie, asks.

Amanda and I started heretogether. We interned here the summer just before our senior year. We did such good work that we were asked to apply when we graduated. We got hired and have been here ever since. We’ve become so close, even outside work. It’s been killing me to keep this from her, but Arthur asked me too. So I have.

“I have no idea,” I say.

The door to the conference room opens and in walks Arthur.

Someone else walks in after him and the second I see who it is my heart stops and my blood runs cold.

It’s Adam Grant.

My mouth runs dry and my heart starts racing.

What the fuck is this?

What is he doing here?

It’s a pretty crowded room. So maybe he won’t see me.

As I try to lean back in my seat, his eyes zero in on me and I freeze in place.

Remember what I said about my luck? This is a perfect example.

What are the chances that I would run into Adam Grant? And here?

I had hoped to never lay eyes on this man again, but here he stands in front of me.

I have to admit, he looks delectable in that bespoke suit that clings perfectly to his body, highlighting his broad shoulders and long legs. The pristine white shirt he wears underneath is open at the collar where a few wisps of his chest hair peek through.

When we were kids, he wore his thick black curls like a mop on his head. Now, he has opted for a more mature cut. It’s much shorter and in a French crop. I can tell he’s used some sort of mousse or gel to style it.