I Do the Boss (Managing the Bosses Series, #5)(2)

There was no need to stop and apologize. Alex was probably stressed or upset about something at the office. She hadn't done anything to warrant his attitude. If she'd learned anything being with him for the last eight months it was that he was prone to lovely emotional swings, as most people in leadership were. She shouldn’t have come in late; it made her look lazy. She wasn’t and the days she came in late, she stayed late to make up for it.

"The press is coming this morning. I need you to go downstairs and only allow those up that we cleared last week for this interview." His voice was pinched, and she now realized why.

"Damn. I thought that was next week. How did I get the wrong?" She glanced over her shoulder and nodded. "Will do. Let me drop my stuff and I'll get down there. I came up through the basement, so I didn't see any of them. I assume they've gathered in fanfare fashion?"

"Like a mob of piranhas." The beginnings of a smile tugged at his lips. "You're staying in there with me for the interview."

"Whatever you want." She walked to her office and paused to glance back at the door that separated their two offices.

He was standing, half leaning against the door frame, still watching her like a hawk. "You look nice today."

"So do you, though I much prefer your early morning attire more." She smirked and dropped her bag behind her desk, grateful no one was around to hear them. Alex was rather proper at the office, which was a good break in their relationship; it only sucked when they worked more than played, which was often.

The angry red light blinking on her phone told her she had several missed calls, but seeing that she was already behind for the day, calling anyone back would have to wait. She dropped the rest of her stuff in her chair and walked to the bathroom, stopping by Paul and Mark's office to say good morning. Neither of them was there, which was a little odd.

A group of people was at the far end of the hall, gawking at something as they glanced out the large window. Mark and Paul were in the middle of it, and surprisingly enough Kristen had joined them.

"What's up, guys?" Jamie stopped beside them and wiggled her way into the crowd to glance down at the street below. Reporters looked like ants as they gathered in a large group just outside of Reid Enterprises. "What the hell?"

"Alex is giving three interviews today, right?" Mark moved back from the window and smiled. "I swear if you guys had seen him as a kid, you never would have thought that he would run anything. He was uncoordinated, and hated structure."

"Everyone grows up, Mark." Alex's voice caught her attention, and Jamie moved from the window and shook her head.

"Wow. We tell three news agencies that we'll give them an interview and the whole damn city shows up. Are the others thinking they're going to get a free shot at talking with you?" She pressed her hands to her hips.

His dark eyebrow lifted as his beautiful blue eyes moved across her face. "I would think so. I'm not talking with anyone other than those you vetted and scheduled. Now, please go grab them, and hopefully the rest will get the hint and get out of here. I’ve a busy day after all this madness is over with."

"You need some muscle to make sure no one breaks through the line?" Mark asked as he wagged his eyebrows.

Paul laughed. "If she does, then I'm in too."

"Jamie is capable of doing it herself. Get to work and stop gawking, or you'll all need to brush up your resumes." Alex gave them a look that said he was only half serious.

Half serious was enough. They all scattered, and Jamie turned and made her way to the coffee bar, picking up a quick cup of coffee, and then walking back to the elevator.

"You want me to go with you?" Kristen asked as Jamie walked back into the lobby. The pretty blond was an old friend of Alex's from his high school days. When she first showed up, Jamie had been worried that the girl was like every other woman from Alex's past, and was simply looking for an in with the handsome man whose ring she wore. And Kristen might have initially hoped for something romantic, but Alex set her straight and his brother Mark seemed to be sweet on the woman instead.

"No, I'm good, but thanks. If I'm not back in fifteen minutes, just send in reinforcements." Jamie lifted her coffee to her lips and got onto the elevator. Kristen and Alex had a special connection that tugged at Jamie's desire to protect herself, but having gotten to know the girl over the last few months, she'd grown on her. Alex's time in juvenile detention wasn't something many people were aware of, but his reasons for getting there were quite commendable. Having stood up for Kristen after her boyfriend had raped her, Alex took the guy down, but unfortunately, he didn't get back up. At least, not right away.

"Stick to the script," Jamie mumbled as she walked toward the door. "Don't answer any questions or make any sudden moves."

Three security guards glanced over their shoulders as they stood in front of the main doors to the building.

"Finally. This is ridiculous." One of them shook his head and turned to Jamie. "How are you going to do this? They've been out there since five this morning, and they're only getting more and more excitable."

She shrugged. "I'm going to tell them to back off, and only let those with a scheduled interview inside."

Another guard chuckled. "Yeah, good luck with that."