Big Pickle: A Secret Boss Romantic Comedy - JJ Knight Page 0,13
open the email from my tech guy. He gave me the back-end method of opening the computer.
I tap on a nearly invisible icon in the corner, and yet another password prompt pops up. I enter what I was given, and the computer shifts to a screen full of icons for applications.
Now we’re getting somewhere.
I’ve just found a folder marked Accounting when a whoosh of air proceeds the slam of the door against the wall.
I have company.
“What the hell are you doing in here?”
I don’t have to look to know it’s Nova. Definitely pissed off.
I spin around in the chair.
“Trying to learn all aspects of the business so I can run my own,” I lie smoothly.
“I call bullshit.” Nova’s cheeks burn red, and interestingly enough, so does what cleavage I can see in today’s tank top.
It’s dark green, and my eyes linger before returning to her blazing face.
“Explain yourself before I throw your ass out on the street.”
I hold up my hands in innocence. “It’s like I said. Jace told me there’s a certain accounting software they use, and I should get familiar with it.”
“Bullshit!” Nova snarls. “Accounting software is business school 101.”
I gesture to the screen. “Why don’t you show me? I could use your expertise.”
“How did you even get in here?” Nova asks. “I have the only extra key. Susan took hers.”
I open my mouth, but I can’t come up with a clever answer fast enough for Nova.
“You know what,” she says, “that’s it. You’re out. Jace Pickle can shove his pompous rich protégé right up his ass.”
I jump up. “I’ll go back to my cutting. I will. I thought I could look—”
“No. I won’t have this. Sneaking around, not even knowing what you’re up to. You could be some corporate spy. How well does Jace even know you?” She jerks off her plastic gloves in frustration. “No. Until I talk to Jace Pickle myself, and I am cleared of any responsibility of whatever havoc you could wreak by breaking into the manager’s office, I need you off this property.”
Damn, she’s a spitfire. Just watching her eyes flash sends my groin tightening. Nobody I date would ever act like this.
“This isn’t necessary. Just give Jace a call.”
“Oh, I will,” she says. “But you won’t be here when I do it. Leave.”
“Nova, calm down.” I take a step toward her, giving her my best pleading expression.
“Do not tell me to calm down. Who actually calms down when someone tells them to calm down? Get off this property before I call the police.”
She’s damn beautiful when she’s mad. The blush of her skin has spread across her shoulders. So, this was what Nova Strong looks like when she’s full of fire. I wonder if it’s the same in the throes of passion.
Her eyes blaze, and the cute ponytail hairstyle is an adorable foil to her expression. I fight an overwhelming urge to kiss her.
“I’m calling the police,” she hisses and jerks her cell phone from her pocket.
“You sure you want to do that? I’m tight with the boss.”
“I am absolutely fucking sure.” She practically beams lasers at me.
I can handle the police, but my cover will be blown. I’ll have to manage this myself. Or, I guess, have Audra do it.
I pull my white apron over my head and hand it to her.
She watches my every move as I walk out of the office and through the kitchen.
The moment I’m outside, I call my assistant.
Her voice holds a laugh. “Did she fire you already?”
“How did you know?”
“I was expecting that call yesterday.”
“Well, she kicked me out for turning on the manager’s computer. Can you talk to her?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Just back me up that Jace wants Jason to learn the software. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
“All right, Jace. But you know how this is going to end, right?”
I run my hand through my hair, distinctly aware I reek of onions as I pass through the professional crowd maneuvering the downtown sidewalks. “How?”
“With you cold busted and your brothers bringing this up every holiday.”
“I’ll have to risk it.”
“All right. Forward your phone. I’ll do what I can.”
I sigh in relief. “You’re a peach. Should I give you a raise?”
“I gave myself one in December. And a Christmas bonus.”
“You deserve it.”
“Now forward the phone before she calls.”
I hang up and forward the number.
I plunk down on a bench a couple of blocks down from the deli, the green-and-white-striped awning barely visible.