Chapter 8
Sam
I grabbed my surfboard and headed down to the water where my brothers were waiting for me.
“Well, how did it go last night?” Simon asked.
“It was great.”
“And this morning when you kicked her out?” Stefan asked.
“I really didn’t have to. She couldn’t get out fast enough.”
“What?” Sebastian laughed. “What do you mean?”
“After she lectured me about how I shouldn’t put cream in my coffee, I told her this was a one-time thing, and I wasn’t going to ask for her number or ask her out. She told me last night was a one-time thing for her too and then she thanked me for the hook-up, put on her shoes and left. In fact, she was really happy. It was weird.”
“That is weird,” Simon said as we put our boards in the water and climbed on.
“Bro, she could be one of those women who act like it’s okay and then she’s going to stalk your ass. It wouldn’t be the first time,” Stefan spoke. “Mom and I are taking Lily to Pacific Park today. You guys want to tag along?”
“Nah. I’m working,” Sebastian said.
“I’m going to head to the office after and do some work,” I spoke.
“I’m meeting up with Chris later and we’re going golfing.”
“Ha. Have fun with Mom.” I grinned as I saw a wave coming.
Later that night, I was getting ready to head out to meet my friend, Benny, for dinner. As I walked out of the bathroom and looked at the bed, thoughts about Julia flowed through my mind. In fact, I hadn’t stopped thinking about her all day. Even when I was at work, I kept getting distracted by thoughts of her and last night. Sighing, I put on my watch, grabbed my wallet from the dresser and headed out for the night.
I got into the office early to start on a new design before my new assistant arrived. Thank God she was starting today. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could have gone without one. My mind was in a good space, and I knew this one was going to work out. Not only did Grayson say she had impeccable skills, but he assured me she wasn’t my type at all. Which was good. No temptation, no losing a personal assistant.
I was sitting at my drafting table sketching when there was a knock on the door. When it opened, I heard Grayson’s voice.
“Sam, I’d like you to meet your new personal—”
Turning around, my eyes widened when I saw who was standing next to him.
“Julia?”
“Sam? Well, this is awkward.” She grinned.
“Hold on a second,” Grayson’s voice raised. “You two know each other?”
“We met briefly the other night,” Julia spoke.
I gave Grayson a stern look for he lied to me.
“Great.” He shook his head. “Just great.” He turned and walked out of my office.
“Hi again.” She smiled and gave me a small wave from across the room.
“Hi, Julia. You didn’t tell me you worked as a personal assistant. You said you wanted to open a coffee shop.”
“I do, but I have to work and save up to do that. Listen, if this is awkward for you, I can find another job. It’s really not a big deal.”
“No. It’s not awkward. And I need someone now. Work is piling up.”
“Okay. But just remember, it was only sex. No big deal,” she said.
“I know that, and I’m not making a big deal about it. I’m just in shock that neither one of us knew it. Didn’t Grayson tell you that you’d be working for me?”
“He told me I’d be working for Sam Kind, but you never told me your last name. And Sam is a very common name. I know five guys named Sam, and you’re number six.”
“I guess we didn’t do a lot of talking that night.” I sighed.
“No. We didn’t.” The corners of her mouth curved upward.
“Follow me and I’ll show you around. By the way, what is your last name?”
“Benton.”
“Welcome to Kind Design & Architecture, Miss Benton.”
Shit. Shit. Shit. My brothers were going to have a field day with this one.
I led her to the space outside my office that consisted of a large L-shaped desk, file cabinets that lined the wall, an iMac computer, a phone and a comfortable large leather office chair.
“This will be your workspace, and you’ll need to be available at all times of the day and night. Just because normal work hours are eight to five everywhere else, it’s not for me.”
“That’s fine. I’m used to it.”
“Where did you work prior?”
“I was the personal assistant for Steven Hart over at Hart Industries.”
“That’s right. Grayson mentioned something about him highly recommending you. Wait a minute. Didn’t he just shut down his business and pass away recently?”
“Yeah. He did.”
“I’m sorry. How long did you work for him?”
“Three and a half years.”
“And prior to that you were a personal assistant to whom?” I cocked my head.
“I wasn’t. I was the assistant manager at a coffee shop.” She grinned.
I stared at her for a moment with narrowed eyes.
“Of course, you were. You have a weird relationship with coffee.”
“You remembered. I’m impressed.”
“How could I forget something like that when you went on a rant about me putting cream in my coffee.” I gave her a smirk.
She let out a laugh.
“You don’t have a secretary?” she asked.
“I share a secretary with my father. Her name is Joan and she’s amazing. Follow me and I’ll show our building division.”
I prayed Stefan wasn’t in his office.
“This is the building division that my brother, Stefan, runs. I design and he manages the construction projects. Together, we oversee it all.”
“What about your other two brothers, do they work here as well?”
“No. Sebastian owns his own restaurant called Four Kinds, and Simon is a detective with the LAPD.”
“Oh my God. I love that restaurant. The food is so good.” She smiled. “Wow. That’s your brother’s place. Didn’t he get the Michelin award or something?”
“Yes. He did.”
“Hey, bro. Who’s—Julia?” Stefan walked over.
“Hi, Stefan. It’s good to see you again.”
“You, too.” His eye narrowed at me. “What’s going on here?”
“Julia is the woman Grayson hired as my new personal assistant.”
It took him a minute to process, and then he started laughing.
“I’m sorry. Wow, what a coincidence. Anyway, it’s good to have you here, Julia. Keep this one in line.” He patted my back.
“I’ll do my best.” The corners of her mouth curved upward.
“Follow me, and I’ll take you to meet my father, the owner of the company.”
When we reached his office, I lightly tapped on his door and opened it.
“Hey, son. Come in.”
“Hey, Dad. I’d like you to meet Julia Benton, my new personal assistant. “Julia, this is my father, Henry Kind.”