“Alphabetical and the filing room is just down the hall. I’ll make sure Steven shows you everything.”
I take her nod as an answer and go on. “I run a tight ship here, Ms. Campbell, I don’t expect you to sit around with nothing to do. The biggest part of this job is taking initiative, not waiting on me to give you assignments all the time. You’ll be shadowing Steven for the day, so anything you’re not sure about, just ask him.” I stand from my chair and reach out to shake her hand. “I hope you’ll be happy working here.”
She takes my hand in hers and shakes it with a timid smile. “I’m sure I will. Thank you again for the chance, Ms. Quinn. I can’t wait to get started.”
I dismiss her with a nod, and once she has all the files in her arms, she leaves my office and goes to her own desk.
Seven
Reagan
Everything seems to be going well with Margie.
Steven has been in here to give me an update on her progress and I’m pleasantly surprised. While her qualifications made it seem like she could do her job with her eyes closed, I prefer to see it with my own eyes and not make assumptions. I’m not in the business of making assumptions.
The first half of the day has gone by quickly, and I’ll be out of the office soon. I call Margie to let her know.
“Yes, Ms. Quinn?” she answers on the first ring.
“Margie, I’ll be leaving the office soon for a lunch meeting at twelve thirty. Just hold my calls and take messages. I’ll deal with anything that requires my immediate attention when I’m back.”
“Of course.”
“I’m not sure what time I’ll be back, these things always last longer than expected.” I don’t want to tell her I’m going to lunch with my boyfriend. My private life is just that—private.
Grabbing my bag, I say bye to Margie as I walk past her desk and remind her to go to Steven if she’s struggling.
As I walk out of the main doors of the building, Everett’s jet black, Ford Mustang, is the first thing I see idling at the curb. Opening the door and sliding onto the seat, I drop my bag into the footwell and lean across the center console to kiss Everett.
“Hmm, I’ve been waiting for that,” he mumbles against my lips, making me smile as I pull away. “Hey, sugar.”
I pull the seatbelt across my body, then he revs the engine a few times. The vibration of the engine reverberates through the leather seat and into me. I swear he does it on purpose. Everett and I share the same love for cars, only his are good old-fashioned muscle cars, I prefer the sportier type. Taking my hand in his, he entwines our fingers and rests them on his thigh.
“Where are we going?”
“The Mayflower. I know you like it there.”
“It has the best Chinese that New York can offer.”
“We might be able to have dessert too if you’re really lucky.” He smiles lasciviously at me.
I turn to look out the window and watch the sights of New York as they pass me by.
“I doubt it, I have to get back today.”
It’s not too long until we’re pulling up to the restaurant. Everett comes around to my side and opens my door, holding out his hand and helping me out of the car. Rising up onto my five-inch heels, his eyes track down my body until his gaze falls upon my shoes. That sexy smirk pulls at his lips again as he leans into me. “I can’t wait to have those spikes digging into my back again.”
Shaking off the desire clogging my brain, I smile and move back. “Shall we have lunch?”
The heat of his hand warms the small of my back as we walk through into the restaurant. I love having his hands on me in any form, but like this, it makes me feel wanted.
Everett gives his name to the waiter at front of house’ and we are shown to our seats. “would you like to order drinks first?”
“Oh yes, just water for me please.” I smile at the waiter. Everett orders the same and the waiter leaves us.
“So, when we saw each other last week, you seemed a little stressed. Is everything alright?”
“It is now. Although, HR needs a good shake up.”
“A whole new department?”
“Hey, it’s not my fault they’re incompetent. Well, most of them are.”
The waiter comes over with a pitcher of iced water. We thank the waiter after he’s poured our glasses telling us to help ourselves to food.
Everett and I make our way around the different dishes on display filling our plates with a variety of foods. Scooping some noodles onto my fork, I take my first bite. I groan as the flavors burst on my tongue.
Everett’s eyes widen and he smirks. “Is that good Rae?”
“Good? No. It’s amazing.”
The conversation dies down between us as we eat the fabulous food of The Mayflower.
“So tell me, why are they incompetent?” He folds his arms onto the table and waits patiently, fixing his green eyes on me.
“All they had to do was find me five people with the qualifications to be a decent assistant.” I take a sip of water, letting the ice settle against my lips.
“Not everyone can be a perfectionist like you.”
“Why not?” I ask, my eyes widening. “I don’t ask for a lot, Ev. And anyway, why shouldn’t I be? You’re a perfectionist.”
“I am.”
“I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I demand perfection. If they can’t give me that, they’re working in the wrong place.”
“You should’ve taken me up on my offer and worked for me. We could have been an unstoppable team.”
I smirk. “You just wanted me to work for you so you could order me around.”
“Having you at my beck and call may have entered my mind, I’ll admit it.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “You know I love being in charge.” With a smirk playing on his lips, he winks at me and ignites every nerve ending below my waist. I try to ignore the flames that are beginning to engulf my core and get back to our conversation.
Everett doesn’t take his cool green eyes from me, knowing exactly what he’s caused.
I clear my throat and take another sip of water. “I have an assistant now.”
“And what’s she like?”
My gaze stays fixed on Everett’s handsome face as I think of a fitting description. “Plain, reserved, but has great qualifications and experience, and so far, she’s doing a good job. From what I’ve seen today, she’s hardworking, sincere, and listens to what she’s being told. It’s early, but she seems really good.”
Everett goes up for seconds, but I go to the best place here, the dessert table. I grab a spoonful of marshmallows and head for the chocolate fountain and knowing there’s no limit on what you can have, I have some cheesecake too.
Taking my seat, I dig in, groaning at the smooth, velvety chocolate on my tongue. I look up and see Everett tucking into his egg roll, I smile at him around my forkful of cheesecake.