Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out her phone, scrolling to Jake’s number. This was more exciting than getting her degree.

The baby kicked, a sharp jab that made her press a hand to her side. “I know,” she murmured. “Everything’s changing again.”

Jake answered on the second ring. “Hey, Sutton, what’s up?”

“It’s happening,” she said, keeping her voice level despite the storm inside her. “I’m being transferred to development. Luca just told me to call you.”

A beat of silence, then Jake’s voice, bright with excitement: “Finally! Someone with actual sense around here. Come find me as soon as you’re packed up.”

The elevator reached the lobby floor. Sutton stepped out, still processing everything. She couldn’t still believe Luca was her new boss. After months of believing he wanted nothing to do with her or their baby, he’d apparently been searching for her all along.

And now he wanted to get married.

Her chest tightened. Too much. It was all too much. She didn’t know if she could do that. His family hadn’t thought her good enough. Now she didn’t know if they were good enough for her and her baby.

“I’ll be there in twenty,” she told Jake, ending the call as she approached reception.

Stacey looked up, eyes widening at whatever expression Sutton was wearing. “What happened? Did he fire you?”

Sutton shook her head, setting her phone down as she lowered herself carefully into her chair. “No. The opposite, actually.” She let out a disbelieving laugh. “I’ve been transferred to development. Effective immediately.”

“No way!” Stacey’s mouth fell open. “After they rejected you three times? That’s… wow. Did you blackmail the new boss or something? What do you have on him? Maybe I need it for a pay raise?”

Sutton couldn’t help the bitter smile that crossed her lips. Not secrets she would share with anyone. She didn’t want anyone here to know about their past. Not yet, maybe not ever. “Let’s just say he recognized my qualifications.”

“Well, it’s about damn time,” Stacey said, standing to give Sutton an awkward side–hug. “I’m happy for you. Really.” She pulled back, studying Sutton’s face. “But you look freaked out. Are you okay?”

Sutton reached for the empty box she’d been keeping under her desk for weeks, just in case she got fired or finally found something better. “I’m fine. Just… processing.”

She wasn’t fine. Her hands still trembled as she began gathering her meager belongings. Her plant was gone, thanks to Nicole. But she had a few personal items which included a framed photo of her sisters, a ceramic mug Keira had painted for her when she had been fourteen, a small stack of programming books she’d kept hidden in her drawer.

The notebook where she’d sketched out her Al virus detection system was already tucked safely in her bag. That was coming with her, no matter what She would show everyone at Cybe10 what she was made of with that program.

pack. “Like, nobody transfers out of reception. Especially not…” she trailed off, eyes

pregnant women?” Sutton finished

boys‘ club doesn’t exactly welcome estrogen into their little playground, Plus, Nicole’s

thinking of the three rejections she’d received. Each

We regret to inform you that your qualifications

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Chapter 107

interest, we are seeking candidates with more

a candidate whose skills more closely match our

28

knew she would show them up. Thank god. She

this a genuine recognition of her skills, or just

Sutton asked, guilt

a hand. “I’ll survive. They can get

made them both look up. Jake approached, his

the big leagues, Warner?”

familiar presence. Jake and Stacey had been the only ones who’d treated her like a human being since Nicole’s

at her half–filled box. “Need

the baby decided to lodge a foot firmly under her ribs, making her

the box, anyway. “Let me take this. I may be gay, but I’m still a man and I’m

argue. Her back had been aching all morning, and the confrontation

tablet she used for scheduling.

how it goes,” she whispered. “And if those dev jerks give you

circuits.”

of affection for the younger woman. “I’ll keep that

followed Jake to the elevator. Once inside, Jake glanced down at her. “You

sighed. “It’s been

bitch Nicole is not

know Nicole?”

been with Luca for years. His right hand for all the wrong reasons, if you ask me. She is very good

elevator dinged, opening onto the development floor. Sutton took

Whiteboards covered the walls, filled with diagrams and code snippets. The

walked through, heads turned. Conversations died. Eyes tracked their movement, lingering first on Sutton, Clearly not happy she was in