Employed by the Boss (Managing the Bosses 7)

“Well, we’re going to have to talk about it more. And not because of anything you’re doing.” Alex turned fully around to face her, Lillianna making happy little baby noises in his arms. “Zander hired a PA, and she’ll be taking over most of the workload that you used to have until you’re ready to come back to the office.”

“What?”

Alex sighed, and Jamie felt her heart sink a little further. She didn’t want them to get a new PA. They didn’t need to replace her.

“He hired a new PA. It’s really not a big deal, Jamie. I gave him full authority to hire anyone that he felt the company needed, and so he’s hired a new PA. It will give you a chance to get some rest for a while. You’re pushing yourself to a breaking point trying to do both. The twins are a more than full time job by themselves. Add working for Reid Enterprises to that, and it’s just not humanly possible.”

“The company doesn’t need a new PA!” Jamie turned away from Alex, cuddling Benton closer as he started to fuss, probably upset by her own emotions. She bit her lip, and blinked back the burn of tears.

“Jamie…” Alex said, his voice gentle.

She felt him move up behind her, his body pressing against the side of her own. His free hand lifted to caress her hair, and then to rub slow circles against her back. Despite herself, Jamie leaned into it, turning so that she could rest her head against his shoulder.

“I don’t want you to replace me,” she admitted, just loud enough to be heard.

“Whoa.” Alex took a step back, lifting her chin with two fingers. “Look at me, Jamie.”

She looked up.

“We’re not replacing you, baby.” He wrapped his arm around her again, pulling her in close, and she went willingly. “We’re getting some help so that you don’t have so much on your plate. It’s not about thinking you’re not good enough. It’s about knowing that no one could possibly do what you’re trying to do.” He smiled, and she heard the change in his voice. “Zander called you ‘a force of nature’ this afternoon. No one thinks that you’re incapable. As soon as the twins are old enough to give you a little time to yourself, you can start working again.”

“’A force of nature’?” Jamie echoed, not sure whether she should laugh or not. “Really?”

“Really,” Alex confirmed, leaning down to kiss her when she tipped her head up to look at him. “As soon as you’re ready, we’ll be more than glad to have you back. But for now, take the extra time to focus on yourself a little. You deserve it.”

Benton started wiggling, and Jamie pulled back a little to give him some more room, rocking him to settle him down.

Maybe Alex and Zander were right. It wasn’t that she wasn’t good enough. It was just that she had her hands full already. When the twins were a little older, she could have her job back, and until then she would enjoy a little extra time.

“Christine offered to help with the twins,” she said, looking up at Alex. “I thought I might let her. Have her come in during weekdays while I’m home to see how she does with it. That way I can get a little work done in the afternoons.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea??

? Alex asked.

“That’s why I’m having her come over when I’m here,” Jamie said. “So if she hits a rough spot I’m around to take over. I thought that would be a good way to start. If it doesn’t work out, we just don’t have her babysit.”

Alex still looked dubious.

“She really has improved. It’s not like I’m inviting my mother over to watch them.”

That prompted laughter. “Fine. We’ll let Christine watch them as long as someone else is in the house, and go from there. I’ll make sure Miss Eriksson gets your email address so that you can keep each other up to date on what you’re getting done.”

Miss Eriksson. So that was the new PA. Jamie tucked the name away, and promised herself that she’d get Mark to tell her more about the woman.

She needed to know who she’d be working with, after all.

***

Christine looks better, Jamie thought as she greeted her sister at the door on Thursday morning. She had gained weight since Jamie had seen her last, and there were no dark circles under her eyes. She looked like she'd been sleeping, and eating, and Jamie silently thanked their father. He'd been taking good care of Christine since she moved in with him, that much was clear.

“Hey, Christine,” she said, taking a step back to let her sister come in through the open door. “How are you?”

Christine lifted her still-narrow shoulders in a shrug. “I'm okay. Glad that you decided to let me come, honestly. I know you probably had plenty of reasons not to let me watch your children.”

Jamie shook her head. “I think you'll be great with them, Christine. I'm not going to refuse you contact with your niece and nephew.”

“But you don't trust me enough to watch them on my own.”