I Do the Boss (Managing the Bosses Series, #5)(8)

"Or because it was the holidays. Everyone is nicer around that time, or at least most people are." Mark got up, and Jamie opened her eyes to watch him stretch. He was good-looking and had a nice body. He was no Alex, but he didn't realize how many women did a double take when he walked by.

"I need to call Christine and see if she's aware of this shit." Jamie pulled out her phone. "Or maybe not. I mean, really, what good would it do?"

"Hey. No more tears." He reached down and pulled her up by her arms, cradling her in a warm hug. She sank into his hold, enjoying the feeling that she wasn't only gaining a lover in Alex, but a big brother in Mark.

The soft clicking of a camera caught her attention, and she jerked around to find three different reporters in the park with them.

"Really?" She called out to them. "Get a life and stop trying to ruin other people's."

"Don't pay them any attention." Mark sat back down and picked up her unopened bag of chips. "You gonna eat these?"

His calm, laid-back persona forced her to relax, and she was once against grateful for him.

"No, but you know chips make you feel bloated." She smirked, trying to force herself back into a good mood. Why the press would want pictures of her and Mark was silly. That would only solidify the rightness of her relationship with Alex. That she was in good with his family was a positive thing, right?

"So what do we do about Stephen? I think we need to at least figure out if he does have a tape. That's important, and Alex needs to know what's up too." Mark opened her chips and ate them in large handfuls.

"Yeah. I'll talk to him when we get back today." She leaned back and breathed in deeply. "I'll call my sister when we get back to the office too, or just go visit her. I'm not surprised by Stephen doing something like his. He's an * all the way, but he and my sister are struggling financially. They're living with my parents right now."

"That's no excuse for what he's done. You know that, right?" Mark glanced over at her, giving her a stern look.

"Oh, I know. I'm just trying to figure out why the * would want to destroy whatever good I have in my life." She picked up her sandwich and took another bite before offering it to Mark.

He took it and finished it before wiping his mouth and shaking his head. "He's jealous. If you were with him before, then obviously he's jealous. It's almost funny that he called you sex-starved. You don't seem like that kind of girl at all."

"I'm not." She picked up her purse and stood, not wanting to look him in the face. The article was filled with malicious lies, but the bits about her being horny and slutty were a little too close to home to dissect. There was nothing she enjoyed more than a good f*ck, but it was a private matter. To have it splashed across the pages of a magazine, even one that people expected to be filled with ridiculousness, was painful. Embarrassing.

"We ready to head back?" Mark stood up and stretched.

"Yeah, now that you've eaten my lunch and yours." She poked at his stomach and smiled. Another camera flashed.

"Get the f*ck out of here. What’re you guys doing?" Mark turned toward the reporters and started their way. They took off in various directions, still clicking their cameras behind them as they ran.

"Wow. How weird are you guys?" Jamie muttered to herself and dropped the rest of their trash in a trashcan by the sidewalk. Mark joined her moments later, his face red and contorted with anger.

"Why do we put up with that shit? I swear they only exist to ruin lives." He glanced over his shoulder as they walked back to the office.

"Ignore it; probably just trying to get more pictures of me being a sex-starved, loose woman." She shook her head and tried to let it all go. Having to talk with her sister shortly was going to take the day from bad to worse.

"I'm guessing it's a no-go with Kristen." Mark chuckled and pointed across the street. "She and Paul seem to be enjoying each other more than friends would."

Jamie followed his finger to see Paul and Kristen at an outdoor restaurant, laughing and sitting a little closer than work associates would.

"Do you like her?" Jamie pressed the button for them to cross the street.

"Yeah. I mean, she's beautiful. I've known her most of my life. Not as well as Alex did, but she was a bit of a crush for all of us boys back then." He shrugged. "Whatever."

"Not whatever. If you like her, then tell her, Mark. Fight for her. Maybe she's just waiting for you to step up." Jamie nodded for them to cross the street. "Women want to hear that they matter. You guys don't say it enough. How about showing it?" She felt like she was trying to prod him. Just a couple hours earlier, she was saying that Kristen wasn’t the one for him.

"Maybe you're right." He held the door open to the building. "Go call you sister and see what she knows. I'm going to join Paul and Kristen."

"What? Really?" Jamie paused. "I just meant—"

"I know, but it's all good. See you soon." He turned and jogged toward them as Jamie swallowed her concern and walked back into the building.

At least one good thing had come of the day. Mark was going to fight for someone he wanted in his life. Jamie had no doubt that he would win Kristen back without much effort. He was too good a guy to ignore.