The Boss Crush - Penny Wylder Page 0,51

to micromanage the entire fucking company?”

Grunting, she arches the corner of her lip as she talks through gritted teeth. “I just need your signature on a few things for the company party.” Her eyes move to mine as her back stiffens. “You're coming to the party, right Dalia?”

I don't like the way she's looking at me. It's knowing, it's heavy, it's like she can see right through me, reading my every thought.

Clearing my throat, I run an open hand across the back of my neck. “Uh, yeah, I'll be there if you want me there.”

“Of course we want you there. It wouldn't look too good if our newest star designer didn't show her face.”

Smiling, I nod. “Then I'm there.”

“Good,” Sandy says, twisting back to take the paper from Lyle that she needed him to sign. “I'll leave you two alone.” She glances back over her shoulder as she walks out of his office.

“That was close,” I say. “What are we going to do? I don't want to live our lives in secret, Lyle. Eventually, Sandy is going to learn the truth.”

With one long stride, Lyle is at my side, scooping an arm around my waist to pull me in. “I don't want you worrying about her. I'll deal with my sister. You just make sure you keep this baby safe.”

Bending over, Lyle kisses my belly. My heart goes spastic, hammering inside my chest. His eyes glow already with love for our baby. With a tender hand, he cups my lower belly and looks up at me.

“This baby is mine, it's ours, and no matter what, I'm going to be right here by your side.”

Back when we were kids and I drew those hearts with arrows, I honestly thought I was in love. But I was too young to truly understand what love meant.

It isn't until right here, right now, that I fully grasp what it means to love.

Love is endless. Love doesn't have walls or boundaries.

Love is a feeling that can hurt as much as it can make your heart soar.

Love is knowing that no matter what, there's life where it never existed before.

This. . . This is love.

Letting the bathroom door swing shut, I take my phone from my purse, eager to call Kira and tell her everything that's going on. I have a feeling she's going to be excited about this baby.

Scrolling through my contacts, I find her name. My thumb hovers over the screen, about to click the call button, when something catches my attention. Lifting my head, I tilt my ear toward the row of stalls.

The sound is soft. Is that sniffles?

Bending slightly, I attempt to look and see if someone is in one of the stalls. When suddenly the door on the end gets yanked opened, and a woman steps out.

She stops short, her eyes meeting mine, wide and stunned.

“Dalia, I didn't know you were in here.” Sandy clears her throat and adjusts her blouse. Grabbing a paper towel, she wipes her nose. “All done with my brother, I see.” Her tone is harsh as she leans into the mirror, running the paper towel under her eyes.

“Are you all right?” I ask, crossing my arms protectively. Even right now, the woman intimidates me.

Her eyes dart to mine through the mirror, and she frowns. She looks like she wants to say something, but out of nowhere, she starts sobbing. Sandy is crying hard, her hands resting on the sink as she drops her head.

“What's wrong?” Rushing to her side, I rub her back, letting her know she can talk to me.

We might not have seen eye to eye back in school, we might have been in different circles, with different friends, but that's not who we are anymore.

I feel terrible right now for her and whatever it is she's going through. I've always thought of her as woman with no soul, so to see her this upset, I can't help but think it's serious.

Sandy's breathing is ragged and labored as she tries to inhale. “It's just. . . It's hard. . .” Grunting, she shakes her head and drops onto her forearms, holding her head over the sink. “It's my brother. It's like he doesn't care anymore about our company.”

More tears come flowing out hard and fast. I just stay quiet, letting her talk.

“He's been different. It's not like him to be so distant. I'm worried, Dalia,” she says, finally lifting her head to look at me through the mirror again. “I'm worried he wants out.”

“Out?”