I Do the Boss (Managing the Bosses Series, #5)(33)

"No, I'm good with small. Let's go over there. The martinis are delicious, and it's half off appetizers right now." She pushed the door open for Kristen.

"Sounds great. Small and intimate sounds like Alex. He's never been the showy kind of guy I think everyone expects him to be. He's just a good man with a lot of ambition. You're a lucky woman." There was no jealously that Jamie could find in Kristen's face. She seemed to be incredibly genuine, which was rare.

"I agree. I'm insanely lucky." She turned and waved as someone from the office called out her name.

"How many bridesmaids do you have?"

Her question hit Jamie square in the chest. "Um... none."

"What? That seems crazy." They walked across the street together as the wind picked up.

"Yeah, but I don't have many friends. Stephen and I had some friends together, but when he dumped me for my sister, that all changed."

"For your sister? That's sick." Kristen held the door to the restaurant. "Well, I could fill in if you needed me to. I don't know if you need—"

"I would love that." Jamie smiled. "That would be incredible, but Mark's going to be the best man, or so I imagine. Is that okay?"

"Oh yeah. Mark and I worked everything out the other day. He's a lot like Alex. Just a good man, trying to make his way and figure things out." She smiled and turned to the hostess. "Two please."

"Then it's settled. You'll be my maid of honor. We need to get you a dress." Jamie slid into the booth across from Kristen and ordered a drink the minute the server showed up.

"Do you have your dress?" Kristen leaned forward, pressing her forearms to the table. "There's a huge sale online right now at the Bridal Extravaganza."

"Really? No, I don't have it. Maybe I'll get online and find one tonight."

"Let's do it now." Kristen pulled out her phone and moved to the other side of the table to sit beside Jamie.

A warmth swept across Jamie that she hadn't felt in a long time. She missed Gina, but maybe a new friendship was the answer to that. That Kristen would be willing to be in the wedding without too much notice said a lot about the girl's character.

Alex and Mark weren't the only good people trying to find their way through the wicked world around them.

It would seem Kristen was too.





Chapter 13


"Finally," Jaime muttered under her breath as she parked outside the hospital the next day. Alex was released to come home, and she'd turned over the office to Dillon, one of Alex's senior advisors who played well with everyone and worked almost as hard as Alex himself.

She smoothed down her blue button-down shirt and wiped at her teeth, suddenly a little nervous about how she looked. It was silly, but wanting to be picture perfect for the man would be something that was sure to plague her for the entirety of their lives together, though he would never demand such a thing.

The hospital halls were busy as usual as she walked toward Alex's room, and after knocking softly, she opened the door to find him up and dressed in a pair of slacks and a black t-shirt. He looked like sin incarnate.

"Hi." She smiled and closed the door behind her, pausing to take him in.

"Hi, beautiful. You ready for me to come home?" He extended one hand to her, beckoning her to come to him.

She didn't hesitate, but walked across the room and slid into his arms, enjoying greatly the long kiss he awarded her. He licked and sucked at her mouth while running his hands down her back and cupping her rear.

"I'm so ready." She kissed him again and wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to be careful of any tenderness he might have from the wound. "Just a night together with nothing on but the TV, and no one to deal with. Yes."

"Actually... I have a surprise for you." He smiled and kissed her again quickly before pulling away. "Let's get home, and I'll explain."

"Why do I feel like your surprise is going to take away from a quiet night for just the two of us?" She smirked and walked to the door, holding it open until he joined her.

"It’ll be just the two of us, but I'm not sure quiet is going to be the mood of the evening." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and glanced down at her as they walked through the lobby. "I'm all checked out, so we can get the hell out of here. I never want to do this again."

"It's been quite an experience." She snuggled against his left side and tried to ignore the warring emotions within her. Why he would want to go out and do anything after just getting out of the hospital was beyond her, but then again Alex Reid was unpredictable if anything.

"How's the firm? No burning down the building, right?" he chuckled as he released her and walked to the passenger side door. "You drive?"

"Yeah, sure." She got in and buckled up before looking over at him. "It's all good. Dillon is keeping an eye on things for us today and tomorrow. I know you probably want to get back into the swing of things, but Dr. Bennett said to take off the rest of the weekend. I think it's a good idea that you do just that."

"I'm fine with being off this weekend." He reclined his seat a little. "I like that shirt. Looks really good on you." He reached over and ran the back of his fingers past her nipple, causing her to stiffen.