Chapter 13: Filthy Rich Bosses: Chapter 13

The drone of financial projections fades into the background as my phone vibrates against my thigh. I discreetly slide it out, expecting another tedious email. Instead, I see Tessa’s name, and my heart skips a beat.

I tap the screen, and suddenly, there he is: Zeus, his tail wagging furiously, chasing after a bright yellow tennis ball. His tongue lolls out, and I can almost hear his happy panting.

‘Mr. Harrington?’ Johnson’s voice cuts through my reverie. ‘Your thoughts on the Q3 forecast?’

I clear my throat, pocketing my phone. ‘It looks solid. Let’s revisit the marketing budget, though. I think we can push for more aggressive growth.’

As the meeting drones on, my mind keeps drifting back to Zeus. To Sarah. To Tessa. The joy of seeing him so happy mingles with a deep, aching sadness. I miss her so much.

Three years. It’s been three years without the light of my life.

Three years since I watched her fade away, her laughter and warmth slipping through my fingers like sand. I still remember the last time she smiled at me, the way she squeezed my hand even though it took all her strength. That fragile moment when I promised her I’d be okay, even though I knew it was a lie.

I close my eyes against the memories, but they come anyway—unbidden and relentless. The hospital rooms that smelled of antiseptic, the endless beeping of machines that marked the countdown to the inevitable. The way her once-vibrant eyes dimmed with every passing day, and all I could do was sit there, helpless, while cancer stole her away bit by bit.

I threw myself into work after she was gone, drowning in deadlines and deals because it was easier than facing an empty house, easier than confronting the silence that used to be filled with her voice. I stopped coming home early, stopped letting myself think about a future that didn’t have her in it. What was the point? The work never stopped, and neither did the pain, but at least one of those things I could control.

But some days, it still catches up to me. Like now.

Finally, the meeting wraps up. I practically bolt for my office, shutting the door behind me. I pull out my phone again, rewatching the video. Zeus looks healthy again, his coat shiny and his eyes bright. Tessa’s been good for him.

Tessa. The thought of her brings a confused jumble of emotions along with it. Gratitude, certainly. But also…something else. Something I’m not quite ready to name.

I lean back in my chair, staring out the window at the Chicago skyline. ‘What can I do for her?’ I mutter to myself. ‘She’s given me this gift, reconnecting me with Zeus. With Sarah’s memory.’

My fingers drum on the armrest as I contemplate. A donation to her shelter? No, too impersonal. I want it to mean something. To show her that I see her, not just her work.

I remember how her eyes lit up when she talked about rescuing animals. The passion in her voice. Maybe…maybe I could volunteer? The thought of mucking out kennels isn’t exactly appealing, but the image of Tessa’s surprised smile makes it seem worth it.

I buzz Juniper into my office, hoping she might have some ideas. She saunters in, her auburn hair perfectly styled and her glasses perched on the bridge of her nose.

‘What can I do for you, Mr. Harrington?’ she asks, her voice honey-sweet.

‘I need your help with a thank you gift,’ I say, leaning forward. ‘For Tessa Morrow.’

Juniper’s smile falters for a split second before she recovers. ‘Oh? The dog trainer?’ Her tone is light, but there’s an edge to it.

‘Yes, she’s been doing a wonderful job with Zeus. I want to show my appreciation.’

Juniper leans against my desk, her skirt riding up slightly. ‘Are you sure that’s necessary? It’s her job, after all.’

I frown, feeling a surge of protectiveness toward Tessa. ‘It’s more than that. She’s gone above and beyond.’

‘Well,’ Juniper says, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, ‘if you insist. Perhaps a nice bottle of wine? Or some fancy chocolates?’

I shake my head. Those suggestions feel hollow, impersonal. Nothing like Tessa’s fierce dedication.

Before I can respond, Cole bursts into the office, his face set in grim lines. ‘Grayson, we need to talk.’

I nod, then turn to Juniper. ‘Thank you. Please keep thinking about that gift. Something meaningful.’

As Juniper leaves, I can’t help but notice the sharp click of her heels against the floor. It’s a stark contrast to Tessa’s practical flats, always ready for action. I realize I’m smiling at the thought.

Cole’s expression wipes the smile from my face. He closes the door behind him, and the air in the room seems to thicken.

‘What is it?’ I ask, my stomach tightening with sudden apprehension.

Cole runs a hand through his hair, hesitating. ‘It’s about Tessa,’ he finally says.

My heart rate picks up. ‘Is she okay?’

‘She’s fine, but…’ Cole takes a deep breath. ‘This morning, she and Chase went on some rescue mission.’

I feel my jaw clench. ‘What kind of mission?’

‘I guess she works with some dog rescue. They called her about a hoarding issue. Chase said it was disgusting and dangerous,’ Cole says, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut. ‘It got heated with the property owners. Chase had to physically restrain one of the guys.’

‘Jesus Christ,’ I mutter, standing up abruptly. My chair screeches against the floor. ‘What the hell was she thinking?’

I’m barely listening now, rage building inside me like a volcano about to erupt. ‘Cancel my meetings for the rest of the day,’ I snap, grabbing my jacket.

‘Grayson, maybe you should cool off first—’

‘I said cancel them,’ I growl, storming past him.

“That’s not my job!” he calls after me. Some part of me is aware of that, that he’s my partner and not my secretary. But I’m too pissed off to care at the moment.

As I drive home, my knuckles white on the steering wheel, all I can think about is Tessa’s reckless behavior. Doesn’t she understand the danger? The risks of doing something like that? I can’t shake the image of her facing down some thug, her small frame dwarfed by potential violence.

By the time I reach the house, I’m seething. I slam the car door, my footsteps heavy as I march inside, ready to give Tessa a piece of my mind. She needs to understand. She needs to be more careful. I can’t lose her too.

That thought gives me pause. But then I think about what Cole said and I’m angry all over again.

I storm through the house, my anger propelling me forward. ‘Tessa!’ I call out, my voice echoing off the walls. No answer. Where the hell is she?

As I reach the back of the house, I catch a glimpse of movement through the glass doors leading to the pool area. My breath catches in my throat.

Tessa’s there, but not as I expected. She’s in the pool, her lithe body cutting through the water with graceful strokes. The afternoon sun glints off the droplets on her skin, making her seem to shimmer. My mouth goes dry.

I step onto the patio, transfixed. Tessa reaches the edge of the pool and pulls herself out, water cascading down her body. She has on a black bikini that barely covers her body. Good God, she’s gorgeous. She looks up, startled to see me.

‘Grayson? What are you doing home so early?’

I try to speak, but my voice fails me. Tessa’s eyes narrow, sensing something is off.

‘Is everything okay?’ she asks, reaching for a towel.

Finally, I find my voice. ‘I…I heard about what happened this morning. With Chase.’

Tessa’s expression hardens. ‘Oh. That.’

‘Yeah, that,’ I say, my earlier anger resurfacing. ‘What were you thinking, Tessa? You could’ve been hurt!’

She steps closer, her eyes flashing. ‘I was thinking about saving those dogs, Grayson. Someone had to do something.’

The fire in her eyes, the passion in her voice—it’s intoxicating. I’m caught between wanting to shake some sense into her and wanting to pull her close. The air between us crackles with tension.

‘You can’t just throw yourself into danger like that,’ I say, my voice softer now.

Tessa’s gaze doesn’t soften. If anything it gets harder. ‘What is it with you men and thinking you have any say in what I do? I can handle myself.’

We’re standing so close now, I can see the water droplets clinging to her eyelashes. My heart pounds in my chest. For a moment, I think I might…

No. I can’t. The guilt crashes over me like a wave. What would Sarah think?

I step back abruptly, clearing my throat. ‘Just…be more careful next time,’ I mutter, then turn and walk away, leaving a confused Tessa behind me.

As I retreat to my office, I can’t shake the image of her by the pool, or the way my body reacted to her closeness. What the hell am I doing?