Faking It With My Grumpy Boss

Faking It With My Grumpy Boss MARA BRIGHT Copyright Copyright ©2023 by Mara Bright All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Cover design by Getcovers. Contents 1. Chapter One 2. Chapter Two 3. Chapter Three 4. Chapter Four 5. Chapter Five 6. Chapter Six 7. Chapter Seven 8. Chapter Eight 9. Chapter Nine 10. Chapter Ten 11. Chapter Eleven 12. Chapter Twelve 13. Chapter Thirteen 14. Chapter Fourteen 15. Chapter Fifteen 16. Chapter Sixteen 17. Chapter Seventeen 18. Chapter Eighteen 19. Chapter Nineteen 20. Chapter Twenty 21. Chapter Twenty One 22. Chapter Twenty Two 23. Chapter Twenty Three 24. Chapter Twenty Four 25. Chapter Twenty Five 26. Chapter Twenty Six 27. Chapter Twenty Seven 28. Chapter Twenty Eight 29. Chapter Twenty Nine 30. Chapter Thirty About Author Chapter One Megan I didn’t know what to expect from Dianna when she invites me into her office, even though she’s my direct mentor in my internship program. She motions to a seat, which seems a bit perfunctory; I’ve been in here plenty of times before. The expensive leather of the chairs and records even in the assistant’s office suggests the opulence of the biggest record company in Philadelphia. “What’s going on?” I ask as I sit down. “You know that my main job is an assistant for Lewis himself.” “Sure, I know you work closely with Mr. Coleman.” “Well, clearly, I’m heavily pregnant. Unfortunately, there’s been some complications, so I’m leaving a bit earlier than planned.” “Anything I should worry about?” I ask. Even if Dianna and I weren’t close, I would want to know, but I like to think we’ve become friends over the last few months. “No, no,” Dianna says. “They think the baby and I will be fine, and you can come visit when she’s out, but they do want me on bedrest. Frankly, I’m looking forward to the rest.” “Anything I can do to help?” “Yes, actually. I want you to take over for me.” “What do you mean?” I ask uncertainly. Dianna has about five years on me, which isn’t loads, but she has a lot more experience than I do, so I don’t know that I’m ready for any of the work she currently does. I also have heard that Lewis can be hard on his employees, so I wanted to make sure I can handle it. Still, being close to a man with such prestige in the business can only help me, right? “I’m not saying you need to do all of it, but I don’t know anyone more ready to be an assistant to Lewis. At least not anyone who isn’t very busy with their own job,” she teases. “I’ve never even met him.” “You can meet him right now, and then we can spend the rest of the day going over what you need to do.” I take a deep breath and run a hand through my auburn hair. Should I tell her what’s really on my mind? “I was kind of hoping to spend more time with the singers than with Mr. Coleman.” “Don’t forget how many of these singers he knows. He can introduce you to everyone, and if he likes your songs, he’ll definitely pass them out.” “I guess I’ll give it a shot.” She laughs. “It’s a big promotion. Don’t sound so disappointed about it. I’ll make sure your pay reflects it too.” I try to tell myself I’m not nervous, because nerves will get me nowhere. I do wish I’d dressed a bit nicer though; Mr. Coleman is an incredibly attractive man, with dark brown hair about to start greying at the temples and blue eyes that manage to look as deep and kind as brown eyes. He’s also a bit older than me, which is exactly my type. If only he had a bit nicer of a personality. Dianna catches me fiddling with my clothes as I stand, smoothing down my blouse and pulling my slacks a little higher. “Don’t worry,” she teases, “his assistants don’t have to be beautiful. Look at me.” I snort. “You’re beautiful Dianna.” “Maybe in the past, but lately I’m very, very pregnant.” “You can be pregnant and—” I start, but then I stop when Lewis steps out of his office and straight into me. “Yes?” he asks, as if I was the one who bumped into him. “Lewis, I want you to meet Megan.” “Hello Megan,” he says, then immediately tries to walk around me and keep going about his day. Practically as if I were a wall. Of course, I’m not covered in records and employee pictures. The record label hasn’t even been around long enough to produce many records, so it always makes me laugh a little to see the walls lined with them. “Lewis,” Dianna says, “it’s important.” “What could be so important? Krystal and I have a meeting in half an hour, and I don’t want to keep her waiting. In fact, I need you to come along to take notes.” “Megan will do that.” “What?” Lewis asks, looking me over. “And why would she be the one to do that?” “Because my doctor requested bedrest immediately.” “Well, you’re here, aren’t you?” he asks. I find myself filled with anger. Dianna shouldn’t have to risk her or her baby’s life for this job, and he doesn’t seem to even care about that. “She needs to go home,” I say. “I don’t remember asking for your opinion,” he snaps sharply. “It’s okay.” Dianna glances at me, and I know it’s meant to calm me down, but I also know it didn’t work. “She’s right though. I wanted to have this conversation in person, but I really do need to get home.” “Then why come in at all?” he asks. “So that you can leave me with this—“ “Megan,” Dianna says. “And what do you do here