Page 52 of My Favorite Boss

BANE

Lawson and Anderson walked around the model, nodding in appreciation. “It looks amazing, Bane,” Lawson murmured. “Between our buildings and your landscaping, it’s another winner.”

I leaned against the desk, my ankles crossed, arms folded over on my chest. “I think so.”

Anderson laughed. “The client will as well.” He looked my way. “You know they’re already planning resort number four?”

“Where?”

“Banff area.”

I whistled. “Big bucks. Land there is scarce and expensive. Tons of environmental issues and guidelines.”

He mimicked my stance, leaning on the back of the sofa. I tried not to think of the last person who had leaned on the sofa. Myers had looked far sexier doing so. I blinked to clear my mind.

“They’ve bought an existing resort. They want to overhaul it, bring it up to today’s standards.”

I chuckled. “Even more expensive.”

There was a knock, and I looked up to see maintenance hovering in the door. “Mr. Bane, I’m here to look at your desk?”

“Oh. Right.” I indicated the damage.

“What happened?” Lawson queried.

I stuck with the story I had come up with. “I was working, leaned back too far, and the chair broke. Sent me crashing down, and the wood got damaged.”

“You hurt?” Anderson asked with a frown.

“No, just my ego. Scared my assistant. She came running in to see what happened.” I chuckled convincingly. “She thought I’d knocked myself out.”

“She was working on a Saturday?”

I nodded, keeping my face neutral. “She’s been a big help on the project.”

“So Laura is gonna have to pay up soon?”

I joined in his laughter. “Yep. I picked a great assistant.”

Todd from maintenance picked up the box the chair pieces were in with a shake of his head. “I can fix the desk later. I’ll patch it up. I’d be careful with that chair you picked out. It had issues as well.”

“Myers is going to order me a new chair.”

“Good plan. I’ll be back later.”

He left, and a moment later, I heard the door open again. I braced myself, knowing it would be Myers. It was after eight, and she was later than usual. She stopped by her desk, appearing in the doorway, breathless and looking worried. “I apologize, Mr. Bane. I missed the bus.”

I waved my hand. “It’s fine, Myers. But I need coffee. Black.” I looked at my partners. “You two want anything?”

They both said no, and she hurried off. I heard the closet open, and I knew she’d stopped to take off her coat. Then the outer door closed, and she was gone.

Anderson laughed. “It’s barely after eight, and she’s late? I’m lucky if Annie shows up by nine.”

“Like I said, I’m very pleased with my choice.” I kept my voice cool.

We talked a bit more about the model and the meeting tomorrow. The door opened, and Myers appeared again, carrying my coffee. I had to look away, locking my body down as she walked toward me, set down my coffee, and headed back to the door, pausing.

“Anything else, Mr. Bane?”