Husband With Benefits-Chapter 900: A Shoulder

"She’s been with us for a week, and this is the time she chooses to get in? Always late."

Dave looked up from his work, his expression calm as he regarded Grant, who was pacing the office like a caged lion. With a deliberate lift of his eyebrows, Dave said, "Grant, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this worked up about someone before. What’s going on? Sure, she’s been arriving late, but it’s not like she’s slacking off once she gets here."

"Remember, she did mention she’d have to come in late all of last week due to some personal reasons. Maybe those reasons have carried over into this week. Besides, her ideas have been solid, and from what I’ve seen so far, her execution has been just as strong. Isn’t that what we care about most? We’ve always prioritized quality work over clock-watching, so why the sudden shift in tone?"

Grant stopped pacing for a moment, and turned to face Dave, "Why the shift in tone? Really? That’s what you’re asking me? Do you know what she is doing? She is setting up a bad example. It’s almost like she is thumbing her nose at us."

"We’ve got an important meeting with the distributors today, Dave—one that could make or break this quarter for us and future investments from the Frost’s themselves—and she’s nowhere to be found. Do I need to remind you that she took the presentation model home last night? If she doesn’t show up on time, we’re going to look like unprepared fools in front of our biggest opportunity givers.. That’s what’s going on!"

Dave leaned back in his chair, "I get it Grant. You’re worried. But so am I. The stakes are high, and the timing couldn’t be worse. But we should give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s new to us, but she hasn’t given us a reason to think she’s irresponsible. Let’s wait a bit longer before we panic."

Dave leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Hmm. You know, the person who really needs to figure out a Plan B here might actually be you—something to deal with that little problem you’ve got going on."

Grant froze mid-step, narrowing his eyes at Dave. "What are you talking about?"

Dave snorted, shaking his head as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "Oh, come on, Grant. Don’t play dumb. I’d have to be blind not to notice. The way you look at her? It’s like you’re a man lost in the desert, and she’s the only oasis for miles. Or maybe a tall, cool drink of water you’re dying to get your hands on." He raised an eyebrow, his grin widening as Grant’s face darkened. "It’s painfully obvious, my friend."

Grant’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. For the first time, he looked genuinely flustered. "I—what? That’s ridiculous!"

Dave laughed, a low, knowing chuckle. "Is it, though? Because, trust me, I know exactly how hot she is. I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind. Honestly, I probably would’ve made a move myself if I hadn’t seen the way you stare at her every time she walks into the room. It’s like you’re afraid to blink in case she disappears."

Grant rubbed the back of his neck stiffly, "You’re imagining things."

Dave tilted his head, his smirk softening into something almost sympathetic. "Am I? You might want to get a handle on it, Grant. If you don’t, you’re going to drive yourself—and the rest of us—crazy. The biggest reason you’re always picking fights with her is not because of neoptism, threats or her tardiness. Nope. You’re trying to find faults because you don’t want to focus on the good. So, you’ve got a meeting to focus on. Just... keep your head in the game, alright?"

Grant shot Dave a glare, but the heat in his eyes didn’t quite land. Without another word, he resumed pacing the room, his steps heavier now, though a faint flush still colored his cheeks. He hated how easily Dave had gotten under his skin, but he hated even more that the man wasn’t wrong.

Yes, he was attracted to her—painfully so. But it didn’t matter. It couldn’t matter. She was Seb Frost’s daughter, and that single fact rendered her completely off-limits. Seb wasn’t just their boss; he was a man known for his fierce protectiveness when it came to his family. If Grant so much as entertained the idea of acting on his feelings, it would be the equivalent of signing his company’s death warrant. He had worked far too hard to build something from the ground up to let a fleeting attraction jeopardize it all.

Before he could dwell any longer on the tangled mess of his thoughts, a sharp knock at the door broke the tension ad their joint assistant stepped inside, her expression uncharacteristically tense.

"Miss Frost is here," she announced, her voice clipped and urgent.

Grant’s scowl deepened as he instinctively glanced at the clock on the wall. To his relief, she was early—barely, but still ahead of schedule. He allowed himself a brief exhale of relief before waving a dismissive hand. "Fine. There’s no need to report it to us."

But the assistant shook her head, her expression growing more serious. "That’s not the issue," she said, her tone firm. "Miss Frost asked me to inform you that she won’t be attending the meeting with the distributors."

Grant froze, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean, she won’t be attending? She has the presentation model. She knows how important this is!"

"She’s already set up the product in the conference room," the assistant explained quickly, clearly bracing herself. "But she said she’s taking the rest of the day off. She mentioned that she’ll follow up with the distributors herself later."

This time, it was Dave who stood up in concern. Even he did not have a defence for this.