Page 20 of The Boss

By midafternoon, I decide to take a break and start dinner. Vanessa loves Chicken Parmesan, and I really want to bring a smile to her face, so it’s settled.

Before I get started, I head up to Gino’s office.

I’ve never knocked before, but for some reason I do this time.

“Yeah,” his gruff voice calls out.

I open the door and peek my head in.

Gino has showered since he was in the library. His hair is still slightly damp. He’s got slacks on but no shirt; it's over the chair in front of his desk.

I can’t speak; I just stare at his toned body on display.

“Juliet, what is it?”

I snap out of my trance. “Uhh, how many people are we expecting for dinner?”

“Just you, me, and Ness.”

“Should I be there?”

“Why wouldn’t you be?”

“Because this seems like a family dinner.”

“I guess you could call it that, but it doesn’t need to be just her and I.” He pauses. “I would like you there.”

That throws me off. He wants me there?

I turn to leave. But before I do, Gino calls my name.

“Juliet, thank you.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

Why is my phone ringing this early in the morning? Prying my eyes open, I look over at the clock and see it’s 4:45 am.

Seriously, whoever this is couldn’t wait until the sun rises?

I grab my phone and look over at it: unknown number. I’m not answering that. I put the phone back on my nightstand, and it keeps ringing. I won’t answer it, not a chance. After their third attempt, they finally stop.

Then the texting sounds start, and I groan. What the hell?

Unknown

Juliet

Juliet

Who is this?

Unknown

That isn’t important.

Juliet, you need to help get something to Gino