I Do the Boss (Managing the Bosses Series, #5)(4)
"Hey. You're still alive and in one piece." Paul glanced over at her as he hit his palm against the vending machine.
"Did you expect something different?" She moved over to it and bumped it with her hip. His chips fell to the bottom.
"Yes. It's all in the hip, huh?" He smirked and got them out, opening the bag and offering her one.
"Depends on the size of your hips." She waved him off and worked on getting a fresh cup of coffee, seeing that the last person who'd grabbed a cup didn't make another pot. Alex wasn't going to be thrilled with her absence, and yet to tell the woman from People magazine that she wasn't the go-fetch-it-girl was a little much.
"Who's in there with the boss man right now?" Paul popped a chip into his mouth and leaned against the counter.
"The lady from People." Jamie let out a soft huff and shoved a cup under the dripping spout as the machine hissed.
"Are you nervous?"
"About what? I'm not being interviewed." She glanced over at him as he held up his hand and wiggled his ring finger.
"Yeah, you are. You're soon to be Mrs. Alex Reid. He's been listed as the city's—"
"Most eligible bachelor. I'm aware. I might gag if I hear it one more time. It's getting old." She pulled the coffee cup out a little more forcefully as she meant to. It sloshed, spilling hot liquid on her fingers. "Damn it!"
"Oh shit. Let me help." He moved up to grab a napkin and started to blot at her fingers.
"I'm good. Really. Just get another cup ready. Alex is going to shit bricks if I don't get back in there soon." She walked over to the sink and ran cold water over her scalded fingers.
"Are they golden bricks?" Paul lifted his eyebrow and chuckled. "Just kidding. You know the guy is my idol. He's at the top of his career, has a great future, huge bank account, is brilliant, and has a beautiful woman."
Jamie started to snap at the poor guy for making Alex seem like the high and mighty guy he was until she realized his last comment was directed at her.
"Thanks. I feel like a frog today, but whatever." She shook her hand and let out a sigh. "I'm supportive of him. He's everything I want, but I hate being reminded that I'm the charity case girlfriend."
"Love doesn't look at money or worth. It's blind to that crap." Paul rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me for a minute that you're questioning how he feels about you. Look at that rock on your finger. That's not just showing off, Jamie."
Kristen walked in and tapped the counter. "Hey. He just poked his head out asking for you. Hurry up."
"Oh yeah. Sorry." She grabbed the coffee and walked toward Alex's office, trying to put her insecurities to bed. There was no place for them in her day or her life anymore. She and Alex would be getting married as soon as they set a date. They were living together, had a puppy together, and were continuing to build Reid Enterprises together. There was nothing to be concerned with.
Jamie opened the door to his office and walked in, getting a look from him as Ms. Wynn glanced over her shoulder.
"Oh good. There you are. We were just starting to talk a little about Alex's relationship with you. Come over and tell me a little bit about your past. I think we're going to run a story on Alex's rise to the top and how even though he has become this icon, he's still interested in the common and ordinary." She took the coffee and motioned for Jamie to sit down. "It's almost like a Cinderella story. The prince marrying a commoner. We just love it. Readers will love it."
"Now, Milla, I'm a commoner too. We all are." Alex tilted his head and grabbed the attention of the reporter. "Jamie’s most likely far more refined than I am. She's from a functional family and is honestly quite brilliant. I think we should be looking at a different Disney story. Perhaps Aladdin. Isn't that the one where the princess falls for a pauper who's trying to own the world?"
Milla laughed as Jamie tried to settle her nerves. "I love your humility, Alex. Is there nothing that we can crucify you on?"
"He's one of a kind." Jamie sat down and leaned back, crossing her legs as Alex turned his attention toward her.
"Jamie came to work for me as my personal assistant, and honestly I've never been more pleased. Our friendship turned into a relationship over time, and she stole my heart. I hadn't planned on ever being an eligible bachelor. I've always wanted to be a husband, a father..."
"So the two of you are getting married and then how long will it be before kids come into the picture?" Milla's eyebrows lifted as a smile played on her lips.
"A while," Jamie responded as Alex said, "Hopefully soon."
"A house divided. Interesting." Milla picked up her pen and tablet and scribbled a few things down.
Alex cleared his throat. "We have a lot left to discuss, but one thing is for sure. This woman here has my heart."
"And tell me more about her. Where’s she from? Does she have a similar story as yours? A rags to riches story?" Milla kept her attention on Alex.
His phone buzzed, and he stood. "Ask her yourself, Milla. She's an open book much like I am. I need to grab this. Give me five minutes. I apologize."
The woman nodded and scribbled something down on the paper. Jamie expected her to turn and start asking questions, but she didn't. She wrote a few more things and then checked her phone. She sent Alex a quick text.