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KISSING THE BOSS
A Cinderella Story
LINDA KAGE
Kissing the Boss
Copyright © 2018 by Linda Kage
This is a work of fiction. Aside from references to different versions of the fairy tale, names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses or establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book—except in the case of brief quotations in reviews—may be used, reproduced, or TRANSLATED without written permission of the author.
Contact Information: [email protected]
Publishing History
Linda Kage, March 2018
Credits
Cover Artist: Kage Covers
Editor: Summer at Red Pen Revolution
Proofreader: Shelley at 2 Book Lovers Reviews
Proofreader: Judy at Judy’s Proofreading
CHAPTER ONE
“Kait…lynn!”
The unexpected shriek that blasted through the intercom caused me to jump so hard I spilled the armful of papers I’d been carrying from the copy machine to my desk.
Groaning over my clumsiness, I bent to pick them up, only for the cantankerous voice to return. “I need you up here. Now, Kaitlynn.”
After scooping the mess of pages into my arms, I slapped them into a disorganized heap on my desk, figuring I’d deal with them later, and called, “I’m coming!” Then I hustled to the teapot sitting on a nearby table and fished out the tea ball bobbing in hot water.
Lana preferred full-bodied oolong tea every morning, so I usually left the oxidized leaves in for at least six minutes before removing the ball. But today, it sounded as if she wanted her tea sooner, so hopefully she didn’t notice a weaker flavor.
I placed the ceramic lid on the pot, then carefully poured a portion of the tea into a waiting cup on the tray. After dripping some, I wiped away the splatter and settled the pot next to the full cup. I rearranged it twice before it looked aesthetically pleasing enough to suit me and then I tossed two sugar cubes into the steaming brew.
There. I stepped back and checked for any final flaws before lifting the tray in satisfaction. Perfect.
I hummed contentedly as I held the tray with one hand and opened the door to the musty stairwell with the other. The steps were a narrow, rickety old metal monstrosity that, I swear, swayed when you walked up them. There was one turn halfway through that was tricky to navigate when carrying anything cumbersome, then a low-hanging pipe from above to duck under, and after that, a clunky red fire extinguisher bolted to the wall a person could smack their shoulder against if they weren’t paying attention. And yet I’d failed to drop the tea once. Go me!
At the top, I had one more door to finagle open, and voilà, I made it to Shyla’s desk located in Lana’s outer office in one piece.
“Morning!” I breathlessly greeted Lana’s personal assistant with a smile, dropping off a bottle of water for her that I’d had sitting on the tea tray.
The pinch in Shyla’s brow smoothed as she glanced up from the computer screen she’d been scowling at. “Oh! Morning, Kaitlynn. Thank God you’re early today.” She shuddered and sent a fearful cringe toward Lana’s door as she picked up her water and unscrewed the cap. “It’s been one of those mornings.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I had a suspicion.”
Sweeping past her, I came to the door of the dragon’s den and quietly knocked with my toe before entering.
“It’s about time,” Lana grumbled. “How long does it take to make a simple cup of tea around here?”
