Grumpy Boss Hamel, B. (best ereader for textbooks TXT) 📖

was something about the way he carried himself—jovial, a little self-deprecating, aware of his size but not ashamed of it. Some big men wanted to be smaller, but he seemed like he wanted take swallow more of the room, like he wanted every single eye on him and more if he could. He was a man built to be large, and a smaller body couldn’t contain him.

“I have to say, I really like Chicago,” I said. “I’ve never been here before, but so far, I’m impressed.”

“Ah, Chicago,” Alec said, and ran a finger around the rim of his mug. “It’s like any other city. We have our nice spots, our ugly spots, and everything in between. I like it here though. I was born and raised on the south side, and I still live there to this day.”

“In a massive mansion,” Rees said. “Don’t forget that part. He’ll pretend like he’s all rags, but this man is more riches than anyone.”

Another incredible laugh and Alec slapped a hand on the table, making the mugs rattle. “Alright enough flattery Rees,” Alec said. “I have more meetings today. What am I doing here and how much do you want?”

Rees grinned at me and winked. “I’m raising money for the SPAC,” he said.

“I heard about that.” Alec leaned back and stroked his chin. “You know I don’t normally invest in that sort of thing. I’m very old school, you know.” He looked at me, eyes widening. “I’m a value investor, darling. I spend half my time doing building projects, and the other half finding companies that should be worth twice what they are.”

“And he’s good,” Rees said. “Here’s the thing though. I need your eye on this as much as I need your money. I’m thinking long term now, and I know you have a gift for hunting down good investments.”

“That’s very true,” he said, his voice like a thunderstorm. He stroked his mug again, almost caressing it like a favorite pet, surprisingly gentle. “I don’t know if I’m tje right fit, though.”

“You are,” Rees said. “I’m offering you two things. First, some direct involvement in whatever company I end up buying. And second, a good price.”

“Of course, a good price,” Alec said, and laughed. “I’ll admit, you got me at a good time. A string of apartment buildings I’ve been developing finished out a couple months back, and I’ve been looking for a new project.”

“Then you found it,” Rees said. “Buy in, however much you’re comfortable, and tell all your developer friends. You’ll be my number two, and we’ll pick the company the SPAC buys together. How’s that sound?”

Alec leaned back then looked at me. “What do you make of all this?” he asked, gesturing at Rees with a bemused shake of the head. “This SPAC, all this fancy financial talk?”

“I think he’s the smartest man I’ve met,” I said.

“Darling, you’ve only just met me,” he said, smiling, but I got the feeling he was shrewd, and was testing me somehow. “Would you invest?”

“I already did,” I said. “Although I don’t know why you care what I think.”

“Because you’re with him all the time.” He stroked his chin. “I’ll admit, a lot of people are worried about this relationship.” He raised his mug and gestured toward me with it, and coffee sloshed over the slide. “But I don’t give a damn either way. I only care about the money. And like you said, Rees is good.”

“I’ll send over the documents,” Rees said. “Take a look at them. Millie helped draw some up, as it happens. She went to law school at Penn.”

“Did she?” He chuckled and shook his head. “Pretty lawyer for an assistant. That’s one of the wildest things I’ve ever seen.” He sighed then downed his coffee again and I grimaced a little, wondering how he drank that stuff so hot without burning his throat. He pushed back from the table, and stood up, lumbering to his feet like a giant waking from a thousand years of sleep. “Alright then, Rees. If Millie says you’re worth investing with, I’ll give it a try, but only if you give me some say in the final company choice.”

“I promise,” Rees said. “Whatever you want.”

“Good.” He grinned, like a viper mixed with a bear. Rees stood and the shook on it. “I’ve got some friends that might be looking for a break. I don’t know if they’ll bring in much, but it’s a start.”

“Maybe it’ll start the flood,” Rees said.

Alec waved to me then turned and walked off, his huge strides eating up the carpet, and everyone watched him go.

“What a strange man,” I said.

“Told you. The last name really isn’t a joke. Biggin.” Rees sat back down and kicked out his legs, stretching slightly.

“That was good though, right?” I sipped my coffee, trying not to hide my excitement. “I mean, we haven’t gotten a single straightforward investment like that since that weird bond guy.”

“It’s good,” he said, nodding, but he didn’t seem excited. I tried to think about why—and remembered what Alec had said about me. The one from the news.

So word was finally out, and not just among the rich and elite, but everyone. My grandmother would hear eventually, and I’d have to explain—what, I wasn’t sure. I’d tell her the truth if I had to, that I got involved with Rees for money, but we weren’t really dating, it was all for show.

Then again, that wasn’t true, either.

Because we were doing something. Dating wasn’t the right word, but sleeping together at least. That was real, and though it made the lines incredibly murky, I couldn’t deny that I felt like we were moving toward something more substantial, something that would change whatever relationship we’d had until now. I had the sudden urge to understand what he was thinking, and what we were going to do from here.

But he stood and tapped on the table with his index finger. “Hang out here for a while,” he said.

“Where are you going?” I