Page 16 of Maid for My Billionaire Boss
He was looking at his phone now, so I didn’t have to see his face when he replied, “Jane likes Mayella’s and it’s all about Jane.” Gulping, panic seeped into my chest. I didn’t have anything to wear to a place that fancy, but I also couldn’tadmitthat. Now I have to worry about this?
Stupid dinners were never part of the job description!
I fought to remain calm as I turned back to Josiah, wondering if there was a thrift shop or consignment store within walking distance. “Let’s get moving. I need to find something to wear.”
Maybe Trey was worried I’d show up in my smock, because he immediately arched his brow toward me. “It’s a weekday and still early enough you could call the stylist Tonya uses. She can send something over for you within the hour at my expense.”
“It’s okay . . .” I murmured, because my mind warred between not wanting to admit I didn’t have anything fancy all the way to being intrigued and wanting to let a stylist dress me.
“No. I insist. I’ll text her your number and you guys can chat.”
“Well, I guess . . . Thank you.” With that Trey buried his face into his phone.
“Josiah,” I called over to him, with a new sense of urgency, knowing the time was ticking away, and I had a ton of getting ready to do.I didn’t even shower yet today!To my surprise, Josiah followed me without complaint, which was pleasant, but I wasn’t fooled. Clearly, it was only because he was excited to forgo his bedtime tonight.
Trey called out while still looking down at his phone, “Take my car. It’ll save you so much time.”
I started to resist, but he was the one putting me in this time crunch. It only made sense for me to accept his help. “We will do that.” He still didn’t look up, but I added, “Thank you.” Without wasting another minute, I changed directions and scurried to the garage.
Nine
Atalie
“Iwonderwhychickennuggets taste so much better when you cook them in the oven than when you microwave them.” Josiah pondered as we returned to Trey’s house.
I wasn’t versed in microwave science and rarely used it, but there had been a time, or two, that I’d admit to making nuggets there. “I’m not sure, but you can ask them.”
His brow furrowed when he squared his face with mine. “Mom, you can’t ask a chicken nugget.”
“Maybe you just don’t speak their language,” I teased as we let ourselves in while I carried my single sack of groceries to the kitchen. Mrs. Michael was in her usual spot at the table, doing another crossword puzzle. This time instead of calling out a clue she was stuck on, she raised her head and properly greeted Josiah. “Hey Josiah, are you ready to build your fort?”
“Yeah, I brought my walkie-talkies.”
I set out Josiah’s snacks on the counter for easy access while explaining my dinner selection, “I got chicken nuggets, strawberries, and a Caesar salad kit so he gets something sort of healthy for dinner because I didn’t have time to make anything.” I put the nuggets and salad in the fridge and took a minute to go through the old containers of takeout while calling back out of the fridge, “Unless you have other plans for dinner, but he can be sort of picky.”
“I can handle a picky little boy.”
“Are you talking about me again?” Trey answered as he bounded down the stairs and emerged wearing a navy suit. I could tell without even touching it that it was expensive fabric. I’m not sure why, but it sent a wave of flutters into the pit of my stomach, and I was glad I had ditched the Alice sneakers for heels. Backing out of the fridge, I slowly shut the door, feeling too exposed. Wearing the dress Tonya’s stylist had lent me, I felt prepared for the dinner, but I oddly found myself wondering what Trey thought of how I looked, and my anxiety made it hard for me to make eye contact with him.
“Not this time.” Mrs. Michael’s voice came out with a humored inflection.
Trey hardly glanced in my direction as he put on an all-business expression and looked to his mom. “Is everybody good here? I don’t want to risk being late.”
Mrs. Michael waved him out the door. “You two go ahead and leave. We are about to set up our bird watching station.”
Josiah’s face beamed with anticipation when I leaned in and gave him a hug and kiss goodbye. “Be good. Love you.”
“Bye, Mom.” He barely looked at me and I took that as a good sign and left with Trey.
As we headed out the door, I whispered, “When this event is over, I expect employee of the month status and a unicorn parade on my behalf.”
The smile he cracked was more disbelieving than inviting so I figured he wasn’t in the mood to chat. It wasn’t until we were down the block that he said, “I think my mom was looking forward to this evening. It’s been a long time since she had to entertain a little boy.”
“I can see how she might feel a little nostalgic about it. Kids grow up so fast. One minute they are your best friend. Then the next minute, they are too busy to return your phone calls.”
“In my case, I don’t have to return her phone calls as she doesn’t give me the chance. She just comes over.” His tone oscillated between forced light-heartedness and apprehensiveness.
I turned, observing him. “Have you two always been close?”
