Single Dad’s Boss Woke Up in His Guest Room—Wearing Only His Shirt…-hongtran

“It’s a foundational skill for design work.” Lily beamed at the praise. “I should call a car,” Mia said, looking at her watch. “I’ve imposed on your morning enough. It’s Saturday,” Jake reminded her. Yes. Well, I have work to do. She looked uncomfortable again, as if the domestic scene was becoming too much for her.
Could I trouble you for my clothes from last night? Of course. They’re in the dryer. I’ll get them. When he returned with her dress and coat neatly folded, she took them with a nod of thanks.
I’ll change and be out of your way. You’re not in our way, Lily protested. you could stay and play Candy Land with us. It’s our Saturday morning tradition.
Mia looked genuinely regretful as she shook her head. That’s very kind, but I really do need to go. Thank you for the invitation, though. She disappeared into the bathroom again, emerging a few minutes later,
transformed back into the CEO they knew. Designer dress, makeup reapplied, hair smoothed into submission.
only her lack of heels, which were still by the front door, betrayed that anything was a miss. “I’ve called a car,” she said, her professional mask firmly back in place. “It will be here in 5 minutes.”
Jake nodded, feeling oddly disappointed. “We’ll walk you out when it arrives.” The three of them stood awkwardly in the living room, Lily still holding the Candyland box hopefully.
Mia’s phone buzzed with a notification. My car is here,” she said, sounding relieved. She moved to the door and slipped on her heels, once again, towering over Lily and nearly matching Jake’s height.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Sullivan,” she said formally. “And for your discretion last night, “Jake,” he said suddenly. “You can call me Jake.

” “At least outside the office.” Something flickered in her eyes. Jake,” she repeated as if testing the name. “Thank you.” She knelt down to Lily’s level, surprising both father and daughter.
“And thank you, Lily, for sharing your artwork with me. You have real talent.” Lily threw her arms around Mia’s neck in a spontaneous hug.
Jake started to intervene. Mia Winters did not seem like the type who welcomed physical affection, but to his shock, she returned the hug, albeit briefly. Standing again, Mia smoothed her dress and nodded to Jake.
I’ll see you on Monday. And then she was gone, clicking down the walkway to the waiting car. Every inch, the untouchable CEO once more. Lily looked up at Jake.
I like her, she declared. She’s pretty and smart and she doesn’t talk to me like I’m a baby. Jake stared at the departing car, feeling as if he’d witnessed something rare and precious.
A glimpse behind the armor Mia Winters wore so effectively. Yes, he agreed quietly. She is all those things. What he didn’t say, what he barely admitted to himself,
was that for the first time in the 3 years he’d worked for her, he found himself wanting to know more about the woman behind the title.
Monday morning arrived with a knot of anxiety in Jake’s stomach. He’d spent the weekend alternating between replaying every moment of Mia’s stay and trying desperately not to think about it at all.
He had no idea what to expect when he walked into the office. Would she pretend nothing had happened? Would she be cold and distant to compensate for the vulnerability she’d shown? Worst of all,
would she find some reason to fire him, eliminating the witness to her moment of weakness? He dropped Lily at school with an extra tight hug, then drove to the gleaming