"You''re so young and already having trouble?" The words tumbled out of Nita''s mouth before she could stop herself, and her cheeks flushed bright red.


    I swear, boss, I''m not just making wild guesses-it''s you who brought it up!


    Randell couldn''t hold it in and burst outughing.


    Vinson Elliott shot him a sharp re, forcing Randell to cough back his amusement.


    Trying to recover, Randell said, "Uh... Carry on, you two."


    No man likes to be told he''s not up to the task.


    Vinson Elliott turned back to Nita. "Did you not know? This medication''s been covered by insurance for years—it''s actually for treating heart conditions.”


    Nita blinked, caught off guard. She genuinely hadn''t known.


    A flicker of guilt crossed her eyes. So she''d misjudged Vinson Elliottpletely. "I''m sorry, boss. I didn''t mean it."


    He nodded. "Just remember next time: never use a man of that, especially so carelessly."


    "I understand," Nita replied meekly.


    Vinson Elliott added, "Of course, I''m only taking it for the... thrill of it."


    Nita instantly retracted any sympathy she''d felt.


    "Well then, I won''t interrupt your pursuit of excitement," she said, making her escape in record time-one second she was there, the next she''d vanished without a trace.


    Randell swirled the wine in his ss, eyeing Vinson Elliott with a knowing look. "Why didn''t you just tell her the truth?"


    Vinson Elliott sighed. "You''ve got enough time to sit here drinking after nearly getting me killed?"


    If it hadn''t been for Randell roping him into that card game, he wouldn''t have lost so much.


    Randell set down his ss and rolled his eyes. "Don''t change the subject."


    Vinson Elliott poured himself another drink-he had to admit, Randell''s private stash was exceptional.


    "I''m not changing the subject. But tell me, why should I exin everything to her? She''s not anyone special to me. Besides, I can''t stand that look of pity people give you."


    Randell snorted. "Oh, please. Who''d pity you? It''s just a minor thing-you''re not dying. Tomorrow, I''ll take you bungee jumping."


    "Bring it on. Who''s afraid?"


    They clinked sses, downed their drinks, and let the previous awkwardness dissolve into the night.


    ...


    Later that evening, Effie''s colleagues arrived as well.


    Not wanting anyone to find out about her and Lyman, Effie ditched him and dragged Nita over to mingle with the group.


    Effie hade early, but she''d paid her own way-no one could use her of taking advantage of thepany.


    Besides, it wasn''t apany perk anyway; Randell was footing the bill for this whole trip.


    So even with Effie bringing Nita along, no one minded.


    They were a lively bunch of young people, and it didn''t take long before everyone wasughing and chatting as if they''d known each other for years.


    Shirley and Nita hit it off immediately both self-proimed foodies, they hovered around the grill, skewering and roasting whatever they could get their hands on, sneaking bites as they cooked.


    Randell and the others kept their distance, well aware that employees preferred not to hang around the bosses-it made it harder toin about them, after all.


    Not to mention, there was a certain "big boss" in their midst tonight.


    When the Etheridge Group employees realized Lyman was there, the smiles


    faded from their faces. For a moment, they seriously considered heading home- who could rx on vacation with him around?


    But as long as Lyman stayed on the other side of thewn, the mood lightened again.


    Of course, not everyone felt that way.


    Some, spotting Lyman, couldn''t resist trying to cozy up to him.


    One colleague even walked over, offering him a freshly grilled skewer. "Mr. Etheridge, this is for you."


    Watching someone try to curry favor with Lyman, Nita was thoroughly unimpressed-how could they be so spineless?


    She turned to Effie and muttered, "Aren''t you going to do something about your man...?"