The NYCE Girls!

by Raquel Belle

  It’s time to get out of dodge before they make another joke about my relationship with my boss or remember that I once slept with him. Dredging up the past is not on my agenda today, especially something so emotional. Making a show, I glance at my watch. “Well, ladies, speaking of my boss. I’m late. I should get going.”

  Jazz and Beth frown but Cara glances at her watch as well. “Crap, is it that late? I need to get going too.”

  And just like that, I escape the uncomfortable discussion about the man I’ve been working with for seven years, whom I have a bit of an unconventional relationship with. I mean, how many people can say they’re best friends with their hunky boss and they once had sex but decided to keep things professional? Yeah…I’m guessing not many.

  Chapter Five

  Nick

  The office is empty, but that’s normal. I’m usually the first to arrive at Davis Michael Porter…and my name isn’t even on the building. I can’t curb my workaholic ways. Stepping through the door that does have my name on it—Nicholas Parker, Corporate Attorney, I immediately notice something is off. She’s not here yet. There’s no floral scent floating in the air to greet me at the door and there’s no megawatt smile that instantly makes my morning brighter. There’s no chirpy “Good morning, Nick. How was your night?” There’s no Grace.

  It’s weird how I always know if she’s here or not without even glancing at her desk. Or maybe it isn’t so weird, considering that we’ve practically been joined at the hip for seven years. At this point, I can’t even look back at my career without Grace being a major part of it.

  I’m seriously thinking about requesting getting her name put beside mine on the door. Nicholas Parker and Grace Peterson, Corporate Attorneys. She pretty much ensures that my entire life runs smoothly.

  I’m surprised she isn’t here yet—even though normal office hours haven’t started. Grace somehow manages to work with me, even when I go ridiculously long hours. If it sounds like I’m a bit obsessed with my assistant, it’s because I am. Just a little, but not in a creepy way. It’s just that she’s been like a God-send—here to make my life easier. I love having her near.

  I pass her desk and enter my private office, thinking that she did a smart thing when she decided that we should be strictly working partners and friends. A man like me, with so much emotional baggage, isn’t good for her. She’s all warmth, laughter, and fun. She deserves someone who’s longest-standing relationship wasn’t a miniscule three months. Plus, I’ll be damned if I lost her because I couldn’t keep my dick in my pants.

  Sitting at my desk, I drop my briefcase, open up my laptop, and reach for my cell to call my brother, Sean. He lives in Philadelphia and he’s my only family. I think about how much we went through as kids and where we are now. Two boys…we started with a horrible home life, then we got orphaned and then we got thrown into the system. But we turned out pretty damn well despite the odds. Sean is thirty-five, two years younger than I am, and he’s a cardiologist. I couldn’t be prouder of him. We Parkers didn’t do too badly for ourselves considering our humble beginnings.

  The phone rings only once before Sean answers. “I’ll be damned. You remember me so early in the week.” Sean’s voice rings with amusement. He’s always been an easygoing jokester—the total opposite of me.

  “Only because you’ll whine like a little girl if I don’t call and I don’t want to hear it.”

  Sean’s booming laughter makes me smile. He and Grace are probably the only two people that can draw out full smiles from me. “How are you, little brother?”

  “Tired as hell.”

  “Suck it up.”

  “Easy for you to say. You’re not human. The rest of us need sleep to function.”

  “I like the saying, I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

  “Listen to you. You’re the only person I know who never needs any down time.

  “Uh huh.”

  “You sound distracted. You’ve started working already haven’t you?”

  My eyeballs freeze in the process of looking over a file on my computer screen. Of course I’ve started working. I’m great at multitasking, but I decide to spare Sean’s feelings. Grace is always telling me to be less brutal with my honesty. “No… you’ve got my full attention.”

  “Right,” Sean drawls, chuckling. “Nice try. Why don’t you put me on the phone with someone who really wants to talk? Let me say hi to Grace.”

  I scowl. “Why, so you can shamelessly flirt with her?” I fucking hate when he does that. I hate hearing her giggle when he flirts even more. I don’t make her laugh like that, so when Sean does, it makes me green with envy. I don’t know why I get so upset about their harmless conversations over the phone.

  “What do you care? She’s your assistant, not your girlfriend. Or maybe she is…”

  Gritting my teeth, I sit back and tap my fingers on my desk. Damn Sean. He’s been trying to get me to admit that I’m into Grace for seven goddamn years. Not to toot my own horn, but I’m one hell of a good lawyer. He’ll never get me to admit anything… unless I want to.

  “Yes, she is my assistant. A very good one and I won’t let you harass her with your sorry excuse for charm. And she isn't here yet, so let it go.”

  Laughter echoes on the other end of the line and my jaw clenches. “You poor fool. When will you realize?”

  My brows dip at the cryptic comment. “Realize what?”

  Another smug sounding chuckle is followed by, “Give Grace a big hug for me, will you? Tell her thanks for the birthday card from you that I know she bought because you didn’t remember.”

  Crap. “I don't know what you’re talking about. Of course, I remembered your birthday. What kind of a brother would I be? The card was from me. I signed it, right?” I don’t even remember doing that. Grace must have just placed it right under my pen for me to scribble my name on it. I can’t believe Sean’s birthday slipped by me last month. It’s a good thing Grace never forgets a thing.

  “Sure. I have to run. I’m at the hospital. I’ll talk to you later.”

  The line goes dead and I can’t help grinning. I don’t feel bad for forgetting certain things. I have a lot on my plate at all times. Mostly I don’t even remember my own birthday. I glance at the clock hanging above the door and quickly lose myself in work. I’m usually one hundred percent focused but for some reason, my mind keeps wandering to Grace. It’s because I know she isn’t at her desk working whatever magic she does that allows my life to go on without a hitch.

  Before I know it, my mind wanders all the way back to seven years ago when I first met her. I’d been a lawyer for three years and had worked my way into the DA’s office by the time I was thirty. It felt good, that accomplishment at that age. I was given the offer of an assistant who was already working in the DA’s office before I got there. But, I’ve always been meticulous about structuring my work life. I wanted someone just as fresh as I was. Someone loyal to me, someone to learn and grow with me.

  So, I started the search for an assistant. I certainly wasn’t expecting to be bowled over by a fresh-faced girl in a canary yellow dress who looked like she'd literally just stepped off of a college campus. I’d yanked open the door to my then tiny office to find Grace Peterson perched on my desk. My first thought was—what is a ball of sunshine doing sitting on my desk?

  She had the phone cradled between ear and shoulder and a notepad in her hand, scribbling away.

  “Uh-huh. Sure, I’ll deliver the message right away.”

  As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again—my phone never seemed to stop ringing. It drove me crazy sometimes. “Assistant DA’s office, Grace Peterson speaking. No, Mr. Parker isn’t in at the moment. May I take a message?” She begins scribbling again while I folded my arms and listened. It didn’t make any sense to interrupt her at that point. “Sure thing. I’ll have him return your call.”

  The ball of sunshine put the phone down and glanced my way. I’d startled her. Her eyes widened sligh
tly as she hopped off the desk and straightened her dress. “Oh, I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone.” Walking towards me, she smiled. “Hi, you must be Nicholas Parker. I’m Grace Peterson. I’m here to interview for the assistant’s position. I was told to wait in here until you returned. The phone was ringing off the hook so I took the liberty of answering a few calls. I hope you don’t mind.”

  As a person whose job it is to talk, I’m never speechless. But that day, all I could do was gawk at the animated young woman with the sultry green eyes and wealth of wavy brown hair. She was stunning, with a warm ivory complexion, full lips and bone structure that most women would kill for. A classic beauty. At six-three, I towered over her. Without her heels, I estimated her to be around five three, but what she lacked in stature, she made up for in presence and personality. I could tell after only just meeting her. Realizing I was staring at her, I blinked and accepted her outstretched hand. The instant we made contact, I almost told her to leave. A potent attraction that I hadn’t felt in a long time hit me. Maybe I’d never felt anything like it. I couldn’t see myself working with someone I knew I would be sexually interested in.

  “I don’t mind—” I began.

  Before I could get another word in she chirped, “Great. You got a call from detective Dan Walters confirming your meeting at two. Shannon Brown would like to know if you’d still like to take a look at that apartment tomorrow. Sean Parker called, he said to tell you to answer your goddamn phone already…his words. He just wants to know that you’re still alive because you haven’t called.”

  The unbothered way in which Grace relayed my brother’s message made me smile and I began to think that maybe she’d be good to have around. She was refreshing.

  “And Mr. Martin would like to see you in his office at twelve-thirty. Rosalind—she refused to give her last name—called. She chose not to leave a message. She’d like for you to call her back as soon as you can.”

  That was the woman I’d gone out on a few dates with—whom I was no longer interested in. Or maybe I never was. Grace certainly grabbed my interest though. Gazing at her, I asked, “How long have you been waiting?”

  “Fifteen minutes.”

  “I’m sorry. Our appointment slipped my mind.”

  “Don’t worry about it. That’s why you need an assistant. We can start the interview now if you like. Or if you’re too busy, I can wait.”

  My brows shot up. My, she was accommodating. Walking to my desk, I paused midway. Did my desk look neater? “Did you…”

  “Clean up your desk? I couldn’t help myself. I have a touch of OCD when it comes to work spaces. Do you mind?”

  Mind? I could actually see the wooden surface of my desk for once. “Not at all.”

  “I’m not sucking up or anything but if that works on you...all the better.” She gave me a sly grin, her eyes twinkling.

  My lips twitched. I liked her sense of humor. I glanced back at her, then at my desk, then at the notepad scribbled with the various messages and thought...what the hell. I was too busy to go through the stack of resumes in my email anyway. “So, Grace Peterson, when can you start?”

  Her eyes widened and excitement flickered across her face. I watched her fight to contain herself with a slight smile. “It looks like I already have.”

  I laughed, which was strange coming from me. “Looks like it.” We shook hands again and it’s been a long-standing joke between us that she stormed into my office and hired herself.

  Coming back from my trip down memory lane with a smile, I shake my head. Grace is something else for sure. She’d become a constant in my life. A comforting presence. In fact, I can say that she’s become my best friend.

  Chapter Six

  Grace

  I walk into Davis Michael Porter with my hands full and smile at the receptionist. She’s busy chatting into her headset so all she does is wave. I dash past her desk and head through another glass door, my heels clicking on the hardwood as I scurry toward Nick’s and my office. I think I’m the only assistant in the place who can say that I have an office. Nick refused to have me stashed in some cubicle on the outside of his private office so he chose the biggest available office and had it partitioned off so that I had my own space right beside his. Don’t ask me how he managed to get the partners to agree to that. The man is capable of getting anything he wants. It’s almost frightening.

  Shouldering into our office, I don’t even bother to stop by my desk. Instead, I make a beeline for Nick’s door, which is always open to me.

  “Nick?”

  He glances up and he gives me a once over that makes my heart flutter just a little. He always does that. But it’s become hard to tell what the look means because he’s always so guarded. I decided that it’s just how he looks at everyone. That puts me more at ease. “Good morning, Grace.”

  Ugh. That voice. I can listen to that smooth baritone all day. And those eyes. They get to me every time. It’s amazing that I want to swoon every time he looks at me after so many years. Stifling a sigh, I smile brightly and approach his desk with the cup and paper bag I’m carrying. “Good morning. I’m sorry I’m late.”

  “What are you talking about? You’re right on time. Everyone else is just arriving.”

  “I work on your time, not everyone else’s…so I’m late.”

  “It’s fine. Sometimes I think you work too hard because of me.”

  “Nonsense. I’m with you all the way.” Placing the Starbucks cup down in front of him, I announce, “Dark roast,” and slide the paper bag towards him. “And a blueberry muffin to keep you until you have your real breakfast.”

  Picking up the cup he nods his gratitude and begins taking sips. I always know what Nick wants to say without him actually speaking so I respond. “You’re welcome. I’ll get you some breakfast. I know you stayed up working late last night and all you had before you left home was your first dose of caffeine.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because I know everything, Nick,” I grin.

  “It scares me sometimes.”

  I perch on the edge of his desk—a habit of mine. I’ve been sitting on the edge of Nick’s desk since the day he hired me. He never seemed to mind so it became a normal thing. Every morning when I come in, I rest on a corner of his desk and we have our morning banter before we jump into business. “I didn’t know that. I had no idea you were afraid of anything, Mr. Parker.”

  His brows lift. “What, you think I’m not human too? My brother told me I’m not human just before you got here.”

  “Sometimes I do wonder,” I tease, and he gives me a mock scowl. I really do wonder if he’s superman in disguise or something. His come-up story is incredible. From an orphan to serving his country to a prestigious millionaire lawyer. When I found out that Nick is a former marine, I swear, my panties dropped.

  I once snuck a shot of a photo he has at his penthouse with my phone—it’s of him in uniform. He was a mere twenty-one then, but I still sneak peeks at the picture when no one is around—just to drool over it. He was absolutely gorgeous—as he is now. It’s just that he seems more solemn now in his thirties. But I guess that comes naturally with age and experience. I don’t just admire Nick’s looks, I admire his intelligence, his head for business, his drive, his discipline, everything. Who achieves all of that on their own? A superhuman, that’s who.

  I change the subject before the blatant admiration starts to show on my face. I hate my expressive face sometimes because given the chance, Nick will read me like an open book. I often find myself working overtime to hide what I’m thinking around him and it can be exhausting. “I’d ask how your night was if I didn’t already know you worked all night. You never have any fun.”

  “Work is fun.”

  I mouth the words right along with him and he chuckles.

  “Very funny, Grace. You’re a comedian…like Sean. He said to tell you hi, by the way.”

  I smile. “How’s he doing?”

  “Goo
d, and still a pain in my ass.”

  Snickering, I’m about to hop off his desk and give him his space when he clears his throat lightly and says, “Speaking of nights and fun, I suppose you had a good time last night. You had that...date.”

  Is that a hint of contempt I hear in his voice? My eyes snap to his face but his expression is neutral. I guess I heard wrong. Disappointment curls in my gut. I kind of do want him to be jealous―even if it’s just a little. “Yes, that blind date wasn’t as fun as I’d hoped.”

  “Oh?”

  Our eyes meet and I can see curiosity shining in his. Staring at him, wondering how much to tell him about my disastrous blind date, my mind strays. It does that a lot when I’m around Nick. Why does he have to be so good-looking? With his chiseled jaw-line and perfect hair. How can he be so well-groomed and sophisticated in his tailored suit—like any typical New York businessman—yet not exude the metrosexual soft around the edges look that most of them have? Looking at Nick, there’s no mistake that he’s a manly man. I’m disgusted—not by him—just by the fact that he’s so damn delicious I can barely focus sometimes.

  “So, you’re not going to tell me about it?” He asks when I take far too long to answer.

  Blinking, I feel heat creep into my cheeks. “Since when are you interested in my dating life?”

  “Since you started having one. You don’t date.” Those piercing eyes are steady on me as if it’s a challenge.

  Sighing, I admit, “I don’t want to talk about my date. It was a disaster.” I’ve never had a problem sharing things with Nick before. It’s crazy, the things we share with each other as employer and employee, but we’re a special case. We’ve become close friends. Sharing the details of my night with sloppy kiss Chester however, would be beyond embarrassing.

  “That’s too bad.”

  I mimic his penetrating stare because I swear I detect an air of smugness in his tone. Staring at him intently, I try to read his expression. I don’t know why I even try because I’ll get nothing. Wanting to stomp my foot in frustration, I look away. “Not really. I wasn’t into the whole blind dating thing anyway.”