Page 24 of My Favorite Boss

MAGNOLIA

Later Monday afternoon, I was busy trying to sort Bane’s expenses when a deliveryman walked in. He handed me a small vase filled with pretty flowers. I was confused, but they were addressed to me. I opened the card, frowning when I read the simple signature.

Ty

Who the hell was Ty, and why was he sending me flowers?

Bane walked in from a meeting as I was hanging up the phone. He frowned at the addition to my desk. “What the hell are those?” he snapped.

“Flowers.”

“Whatever. Take them home. I don’t like decorations.”

“Again, they are flowers. But don’t worry. I’ll be sending them back since I got them in error. There was obviously a mistake in the flower world, and they were delivered incorrectly.”

“Why would you say that?”

I thrust the card his way. “Ty. I don’t know a Ty, so the flowers aren’t for me.”

“Did you call the florist?”

“Yes. They said those were the instructions they got, and they were intended for me.” I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”

“Secret admirer, then. Great,” he huffed. “Keep your personal life personal. All right, Myers?”

Then he slammed his door.

I stroked the petals on a flower, smiling. I had never received flowers before, so even if it was a mix-up, I had to admit I loved them. They added a bright touch to my desk. I only hoped whoever Ty was, he wasn’t in trouble with his girl when she didn’t get the flowers.

I glanced at Bane’s door with a scowl. I was keeping them on my desk, and I would take them home on Friday. He could pound sand for all I cared.

Then I got back to work.

The next two weeks were crazy. Bane was hot and cold. Blunt and irritated, then suddenly pleasant. His door was open, then closed. He barked orders, then asked me something in a polite tone. He worked constantly and I stayed late to help him, came in early, and, at times, worked from home. I didn’t complain, and he never commented, other than the occasional grunt I took as a thank-you.

Another set of flowers arrived the following Monday afternoon, which earned me a scowl from Bane, although he didn’t demand I remove them. The florist insisted they had the right address but refused to give me any other information.

I racked my brain, checked the company directory for a Ty or Tyler, but the only one listed was married, never so much as said hello to me, and worked on another floor. I highly doubted he was sending me flowers. I didn’t know a man with that name, so it was a complete mystery. But I was too busy to worry about it.

I didn’t know which way was up or down, trying to keep up with Bane. I wondered if he was nervous about the awards dinner coming up, then decided not to ask him. I liked my head where it was—on my shoulders.

I tried my best to stay ahead of him. I made sure he had his lunch every day. That the files he needed for his meetings were at his fingertips. I kept people away from him so he could work. His coffee cup was always full. I added a container of ice water. He looked at me, one eyebrow arched in question when I set it on his desk.

“To keep hydrated,” I explained. “You need more than coffee.”

He grunted. I took that as a thank-you.

I worked until he left, which was usually past six at night—some nights later. I had been introduced to his driver, and I had his number so I could call him whenever Bane needed him.

When he had explained it to me, I had blown out a breath. “Wow.”

“What?”

“I didn’t know you had a driver.”

“I do. His name is Darryl.”

“Landscape architecture must pay well,” I quipped.