Page 45 of A Bossy Surprise

“How so?”

He thinks for a moment, then says, “Okay, let me give you this example. Do you know that reality TV show,Danger is Done?”

I nod. “I’ve never seen it, but I know of it.”

“Well, when its creators were pitching it around, everyone knew it was going to be big. This was around the time I graduated college and started working for my dad. To prove myself, I did everything I could to get them to sign on with us, and they did.”

“But that show is onZeal TV, isn’t it?” I ask. “That’s not a Grant Media channel.”

“I’m getting to that...” He pauses with a smile.

I smile back. “Okay, I’m sorry for interrupting.”

“Anyway, like I was saying, I managed to convince them to sign with us. I was so proud of myself. However, soon the narrative was that I only got them because of my dad’s influence. It sucked, but I moved on. Months later one of our competitors,Casa Studios, snaked them out from under me. It was a huge loss because we already spent a ton of money developing the show. Then the story became that we lost them because my dad hadn’t trained me to be a shrewd enough business person.”

“That must’ve been frustrating.”

“It was, and still is, because that’s how it’s been ever since. Nothing I ever do is mine. That’s why I want to go into news. My father has little pull in this world. So no one can say whatever I accomplish here is because of him.”

“That makes sense. I’m sure it must be quite freeing; stepping out like this on your own.”

He chuckles. “Yes, it is. It is also terrifying because if I fall flat on my face, it’ll reinforce in everyone’s minds that I am incompetent.”

“Listen, of course I do not hope you drive GNN into the ground, but if by some fluke that does end up happening, it wouldn’t be because you are incompetent. Things like that happen all the time and it wouldn’t be a reflection of you if it happened here. Anyone who has worked with you for more than a day knows how hard you work and how much you care. Anyone who would say anything to the contrary doesn’t know you. Therefore, isn’t worth worrying about.”

He looks at me with stars in his eyes.

I clear my throat. “Anyway, what I’m saying is you shouldn’t care so much about proving yourself to people who are insipid enough to gossip about you when they don’t know you.”

He chuckles as he rubs his eye then runs a hand through his hair. “That’s easier said than done, but you’re right. I shouldn’t be so consumed with proving myself.”

We fall into a momentary silence.

Adam looks down at himself and shifts in his seat. “All of a sudden I’m very aware of how underdressed I am.”

I smile. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”

“I should probably go get dressed.” He starts to stand.

“Hey, another thing…”

He stops and lowers himself back into his seat. “Yeah?”

I tuck my hair behind my ear and lower my gaze to the cup in front of me. “We should talk about last night.”

“Okay… What about last night?” An expectant smile stretches across his face.

“Although it was great, I don’t think we should let ourselves get carried away like that again.”

His face falls, and I hate that I am the one who has caused it.

“Can I ask why?”

I stand and walk over to the sink where I pour the rest of my coffee down the drain.

“It’s just that we work together. Things can get very complicated with that if this continues. You were just telling me how important this new venture is for you. If anything were to happen between us, it’s only a matter of time before it goes public. You will develop a reputation for sleeping with employees.”

“No one’s going to think that, Kayla. We have a son together.”