Page 105 of My Favorite Boss

I set down the plates, hurrying to the door.

Alex stood in front of his mother and brother, all three of them glaring and looking unhappy.

Terry spotted me, a lecherous grin crossing his face. “Ah, the little assistant, now fiancée, appears.”

I was suddenly aware I was wearing a pair of leggings and one of Alex’s T-shirts. No bra or underwear. The shirt came down to my thighs and was loose, the color dark so he couldn’t see anything, but somehow, he made me feel as if he did.

“It’s fine, Magnolia,” Alex said. “They’re leaving. And whoever let them up just got themselves fired.”

Terry smirked. “Money talks, brother. Mine louder than yours, I daresay.”

Alex shook his head. “Whatever makes you sleep better. And stop calling me brother. We are in no way related.”

“You cannot marry her,” his mother informed Alex, indicating me and looking as if I were a bug she wanted to squash under her shoe. I glanced down, biting my lip to stop from laughing. She had to be agitated. She was wearing two different black pumps. “We came to put a stop to this ridiculousness.”

“I’m an adult, Mother. I can marry whomever I choose.” He slipped his arm around me. “And I choose her.”

“She’s no one!”

“She’s everything to me.”

My heart melted, and I wished with everything in me it was true. I knew without a doubt I had fallen for him. Hard. I only wished he felt the same, but I knew his words were simply uttered to anger his mother.

Terry laughed. “Gone sentimental now, have you, Alexander?”

“I won’t try explaining anything to you,” Alex stated dryly. “I don’t have enough time to break all my words into tiny ones so you can understand.”

I bit back another grin, but Terry saw my expression, as did his mother. It only angered them more.

“I will cut you out of my life if you marry her,” she threatened.

“Then I’ll take her to Vegas tonight and seal the deal. I want no part of your life, Mother. So cutting me out is the best present I could ask for.”

“You’ll embarrass me. The whole family. Marrying a nobody.”

“I won’t be in your life, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Why must you continue to hurt me? You have always been so difficult!”

Alex shook his head, looking sorrowful. “I think your expectations have been the difficult thing.”

“She only wants you for your money.”

Alex began to laugh. “Which you think I have none of. So, again, no problem.” Then he kissed my head. “And since you don’t know her, I’ll thank you to keep your mouth shut when it comes to your opinion. Magnolia is the most incredible woman I have ever known.”

Terry narrowed his eyes. “Maybe you need a prenup. If her heart is as pure as you say, then it’ll prove she’s not a gold digger.”

“Maybe you need to shut your mouth,” Alex snarled. “Or I’ll shut it for you.”

“Stop!” I demanded, stepping away from Alex. “Stop all of this.”

They all stared at me.

“I’m not interested in his money. Alex is amazing. Talented. Warm and caring.” I shook my head. “How he ended up that way, given the lot of you, I have no idea, but he is. He must take after his real father.” I turned to his mother. “Why must you criticize him all the time? You don’t even know him! Do you realize how many awards and accolades he has won for his work on environmental issues? How incredible his designs are? How respected he is? All you care about is your image. Your world. If you knew him at all, you would realize he is exactly the son you should be shouting about. You think a name and money give you prestige? What about honor and integrity? Class and manners? Good God, lady, grow up. All you do is belittle him and nag him. Stop it!”

Then I turned to his brother. “As for you, I have read enough to know why Alex doesn’t want you in his life. Your so-called victories in court—mostly defending low-life criminals, your constant revolving door of women. You have no morals! You change law firms more often than I change my socks. No doubt before they fire you, given the stories I’ve read.” I swung my furious gaze back to Mrs. Johnstone. “And you praise him and ignore your biological son! What kind of morals does that show you have?”

I turned my venom back to Terry. “You think being in the papers and the gossip columns is what makes you a man? Alex is a hundred times the man you are. You might have your stepmother drinking the Kool-Aid, but one day, once you end up without a career, drain all your money away, and start dipping into her accounts, she is going to see you for what you are. Unless—” I snorted. “You can marry some idiot heiress who is as blind as your stepmother.” I pointed a finger between them. “You are both greedy, nasty people. Leave Alex alone. Leave us alone. You are not welcome here.”