Page 10 of Coming for Her Grumpy Boss

“Even if you’re lying, I appreciate it.”

“What does your sister’s coming home earlier than planned have to do with my assistant?” I ask.

“It’s simple,” Thorne says with a shrug. “Bring her to Christmas.”

I stare at my friend.

“As your girlfriend,” he adds.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” I say.

“You are so thick-headed.” He blows out a breath as if I am truly trying his patience. “Your fake girlfriend. Fake fiancé. Whichever.”

“What?”

“Haven’t you ever watched any of those romantic holiday movies?” he asks.

“No.”

He rolls his eyes. “That explains it. You need to broaden your horizons. It’s a plot device. The fake relationship. Intended to throw off unwanted attention from other parties.”

“Where are you even getting this stuff?”

“I know things. My point is, it’s a perfect solution to all of your problems.”

“How do you figure?”

“It gets my sister off your back and gives you an opportunity to legitimately pursue things with Mia.”

I open my mouth, but he holds up a hand to stop me.

“Before you tell me all of the dumbass reasons why you can’t be with her, I’ve heard them before. And they’re all still idiotic.”

“You’re so supportive.”

He gives me a cheeky grin. “I try.”

“She’s my assistant.”

“I’m fully aware, you ass hat. And I still maintain that the moment you realized you wanted her, you should have changed her position in the company infrastructure so that she did not report directly to you. She could be my assistant.”

“Fuck off.”

“You know I’m right. But she does report to you, so now you just have to make some modifications. We do not have a no fraternization policy here.”

“We do not. Made no sense to have one of those in a small town. Where else are people supposed to find potential partners?”

“Exactly,” Thorne says. “So make use of that.”

I shake my head. “It’s too late for that. I’ve been too much of an ass to her.”

“True. But you’re an ass to everyone. Also, you have something she wants. Give it to her.”

I glance down at the contract Mia tossed on my desk before walking out.

“Precisely. Make that the carrot for her to agree to be your fake whatever for the Christmas weekend at the lake house. Then undo the mess you’ve made the last year by pretending to hate her.”

“She’ll never agree to any of that.”