One More Promise

by Samantha Chase

  Wiping tears of mirth from her eyes, Paige waved her off. “It’s okay. Seriously, Daisy, you’re fine. It’s fine. Sit down. Please.”

  Daisy murmured “Oh God” a few more times, then sat, her face beet red with embarrassment. After a moment, she calmed and let out a slow breath. “That was completely unprofessional of me. Ariel is your sister and an executive, and she deserves my respect.”

  Color me impressed. “It’s all right,” Paige said. “No one heard except me and…well…you know my frustration with my sister, so we’re good.”

  “Honestly, Paige, you need to say something to your father. Or to your mother, and have her talk to your father. What Ariel does it’s…it’s just wrong.”

  Don’t I know it. “The thing with her is she’s good at her job. Really good. I’m not trying to take that away from her. But she’s not good at finding a cause and getting a campaign started. She’s good at taking over once all the groundwork is done.”

  “So why not let it be known that it’s not fair that she’s coasting on other people’s ideas?” Daisy asked.

  “Because I’d end up looking paranoid. I’m not good at responding on the fly when she pulls one of these swoops. I’m normally stunned and then I turn mute.”

  “Or you come in here and talk to yourself.”

  Paige’s eyes narrowed at the comment.

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You’re right. I just don’t know how to be heard. I’ve tried to show that I can handle a campaign on my own, I really have, but…” She paused. “Do people think I dress weird?”

  “Um…what?”

  “My clothes. You hear the things people comment on around here. Has anyone commented on what I wear?”

  “Why would you ask that? You are, like, the coolest person fashion-wise in this office! We all love your clothes! Very hipster-ish.”

  Sighing, Paige pinched her nose and thought of how to respond. “I don’t think the executives are looking at how much of a hipster I am. That’s who I’m worried about.”

  “Did your sister put this idea in your head?”

  Paige nodded.

  “Look, I talk to all the assistants here, and believe me when I tell you we talk about everything. No one has ever mentioned your wardrobe to me, so I think if anyone has an issue with it, it’s Ariel and Ariel alone.”

  They sat in companionable silence for a moment before Daisy spoke again.

  “So, a baby in the family. That should be nice.”

  “I guess. Although, I have to admit, I have a hard time imagining Ariel dealing with pregnancy. I don’t think she realizes that she won’t be rocking her designer suits and heels quite like she’s used to.”

  Daisy chuckled. “Well…maybe she will. You see all those glamorous actresses walking the red carpet when they’re nine months pregnant, and they do it with such ease! Remember Beyoncé at that awards show? I can barely walk around in high heels now. I couldn’t imagine doing it while I had a baby belly.”

  “I guess we’re going to find out soon enough how she’ll do.” Honestly, no matter how snarky her thoughts, Paige knew her sister would come off looking like it was all a breeze. If it were Paige, however, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that pregnancy would make her look like a bloated, beached whale.

  Great. Something to look forward to.

  Not!

  Clearing her throat, Daisy picked up the list that had fallen to the floor and glanced at it again. “Honestly, Paige, it’s not that this is a bad list. It’s random—almost as if she were simply picking names of people who have been in the headlines lately. I can’t see a correlation between any of them and this particular campaign.”

  “That’s what I thought too. I just wish she had—”

  Daisy’s loud gasp cut her off.

  “What? What’s the matter?”

  Daisy glanced at the list and then at Paige before her gaze returned to the piece of paper. “Did you see who’s on here?”

  “Um…yeah. Sort of. Maybe. Why?”

  “Dylan Anders is on here! Oh my God! I can’t believe it! I love him!” She jumped to her feet again. “Do you think he’s going to do it? Did Ariel mention if she’d talked to him already? If he comes here, I think I’ll die. No…no…I know I’ll die! Oh my God…Dylan Anders!” she cried and began to fan herself with the paper. “That man is sex on a stick!”

  Paige sighed. Great. Just what she needed—sex on a stick when she hadn’t had sex since…well… Heck. When was the last time she’d had sex?

  “He’s got great arms! Oh my gosh, have you seen them? I bet he has great hands too! He must, from playing bass! And he looks incredible in jeans and when he’s all scruffy—he’s one of those guys who can totally pull that off and make it look incredibly hot, you know? But oh…that would be amazing if Ariel got him! Don’t you think it would be amazing?”

  “Not five minutes ago we were talking about how her list was ridiculous!” Paige snapped. “And now one look at a name of some random guitar player—”

  “Bass player.”

  “Whatever! One look at a name on a page and all of a sudden Ariel’s right and I’m wrong?”

  Daisy gave her a patient smile. “No one said you were wrong, Paige. I just think this could be, you know, exciting! Rock stars and authors. It could make for a very cool campaign. You’d be appealing to a wider demographic this way, wouldn’t you?”

  Dammit, she didn’t want Ariel to be right. She didn’t want this to be a good idea at all. This was her baby. Her brainchild. She’d worked for weeks perfecting everything down to the tiniest detail, and her sister, being her typical self, just happened to stumble upon a great idea? How unfair was that?

  “Look, I’m not saying what she did was right,” Daisy went on. “I just think that maybe, this one time, she might have happened upon a good idea.” She shrugged. “It’s up to you what you want to do with it. You’re the one who’s going to make it great.”

  Paige gently face-planted on the desk. “I don’t know what to do with it,” she mumbled. “If I agree with her, she’s going to be so smug. And if I don’t go along with it and the campaign fails, then it will all come back on me how I screwed up because of my ego.”

  “I certainly wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.”

  Slowly, Paige lifted her head and gave her assistant a stern glare. “Thanks.”

  “Why don’t I get you a bottle of water and some ibuprofen and close the doors so you can concentrate? I won’t let anyone in unless it’s an emergency and I’ll hold all your calls. How does that sound?”

  “Make the water a soda and throw in a bag of chips and you’ve got a deal.”

  Daisy left and, for a minute, Paige let the silence wash over her. It was after three in the afternoon and a Friday. Would it be a bad thing for her to pack it in and call it a day? She had a feeling that maybe she’d get more accomplished and perhaps think a little clearer about this list of potential celebrities if she was someplace a little more soothing. Peaceful.

  And not her office.

  That was the key.

  If she was going to relax and look at the situation objectively, she knew she needed to put a little effort into unwinding. Maybe she’d leave and stop at the grocery store on the way home and find something fun to make for dinner—and grab some cake or brownies for dessert. And wine! Yes, a nice bottle of wine to get her through the weekend would help with the situation.

  Looking around her office, she spotted her satchel and immediately snapped it up and began organizing papers, folders, and reports and stuffing them inside. With a quick glance at her emails, she noted that there wasn’t anything urgent waiting for her, and without an ounce of guilt, she shut down her computer. Walking around the room, Paige scooped up her phone, her charger, and the small stack of books she had on a corner table that she’d been meaning to
bring home.

  Once everything was packed, she scanned the room one more time and was pleased to see that she had everything she needed. At the thought of leaving early, the tension began to ease from her shoulders, which she rolled to confirm that fact. All she needed to do was let Daisy know. No need to tell anyone else—it wasn’t as if she punched a clock. Everyone worked crazy hours as needed and no one ever questioned her whereabouts. Not that she ever took advantage of it, but it was a nice perk.

  “Okay, boss! Here’s your soda and… What are you doing? Are you going somewhere?” Daisy asked as soon as she stepped into the office.

  “I have decided to head home and look over this stuff and try to make sense of it all. You know I see things more objectively when I’m not stressed.”

  Daisy smiled and then sighed. “I wish you weren’t tense all the time. You’re so good at your job, and you know everyone here thinks the world of you. It wouldn’t be such a bad thing for you to just…relax!”

  “That’s why I’m leaving early. I’m going to go home and unwind and…”

  “Do some yoga? I love doing yoga. It really helps me—”

  “No yoga,” Paige interrupted before the story went any further. “I’m going to pick up something good to make for dinner, something yummy for dessert, and some wine.”

  “Yoga’s better for you.”

  “You relieve stress your way, and I’ll relieve it my way. Okay?” she asked, forcing a smile on her face.

  “Fine. Go and grill a cow or eat a vat of ice cream. See if I care. I’m going to do hot yoga tonight and maybe a Zumba class in the morning.”

  “Good for you,” Paige said, taking the bottle of soda from Daisy’s hand. “And I hope you have a great weekend. I’ll see you Monday.” She began to walk away, but Daisy got in step beside her.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you ever do anything…you know…fun?”

  Paige looked at her as if she was crazy. “Seriously? That’s your question?”

  Daisy nodded. “Uh-huh. It’s just that I’ve noticed how you take work home every weekend, and you never talk about doing anything fun, like going on a date or out with friends. You should do that.”

  They were at the elevator, and Paige hit the Down button and then turned toward Daisy. “Things have been busy but…sure, I go out with friends.”

  “When was the last time you did that?”

  Oh God. When was that? Probably around the last time she’d had sex. Not that she was having sex with friends but… Oh. Wait. Mitch. Mitch Stevens. Sex and a friend. Sort of like a two-for-one based on this conversation.

  “Okay, I’ll admit it’s been a while. But it’s all good. Once this campaign stuff falls into place, I’ll be able to step back a bit and take time for myself. I promise.”

  Daisy’s gaze narrowed. “I’m not sure I believe you.”

  Behind them, the elevator dinged its arrival. Thankfully.

  “Don’t worry about me,” Paige said reassuringly. “I’m fine. You enjoy your weekend and hopefully on Monday all of this will have sorted itself out. And maybe…” She stopped as the look on Daisy’s face changed.

  Paled.

  Her mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. Her eyes widened.

  “Daisy? Are you okay? What’s going on?”

  “I…I… It’s…it’s…”

  Panic swamped Paige. She stepped forward and grabbed her assistant by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “Daisy? What’s wrong?”

  “Sex!” Daisy hissed.

  “What?”

  Daisy began to tremble as she leaned forward and whispered to Paige, “Sex on a stick. Oh God. He really is!”

  Paige took a step back and immediately bumped into someone. “Oh…excuse me. I’m sorry. I…” She turned her head and froze.

  Good Lord.

  Tall, dark, and a bit scruffy. He wore faded blue jeans, a gray T-shirt, and a leather jacket, and smelled like a sexy combination of heaven and sin. Paige’s eyes wandered up to his strong jaw and dark-chocolate-brown eyes as she swallowed hard.

  Holy. Crap.

  “Hey,” he said casually, smiling. “I’m looking for Paige Walters. I was told her office was up here.”

  “You’re…you’re…” Daisy stammered.

  He laughed softly and held out his hand to her. “Dylan Anders.”

  Of course he was.

  Chapter 2

  Dylan shook hands with the woman who was still wide eyed and slack jawed, but it was the one directly in front of him who held his attention. She was petite and curvy and maybe it was the glasses but…her eyes looked huge. They were such a deep shade of brown they were almost black and maybe it was his imagination but she hadn’t blinked. At all. Taking his hand from the first woman, he asked, “And you are?”

  She giggled. “Daisy. I’m Daisy Garner and I’m a huge fan.” She studied her hand and then sighed. “Wow. I can’t believe you’re here. I was just saying how I was hoping you’d come in and here you are! Can I get a picture of you? Will you wait while I get my camera? I swear I’ll only be a minute and—”

  “Daisy!” the woman in front of him snapped, but she didn’t look away from him.

  “Oh…right. Sorry. Give me a minute.”

  When she was gone, Dylan relaxed. Smiling, he said, “She’s a bit chatty, huh?”

  “You have no idea.”

  He waited a minute to see if she’d introduce herself, and when she didn’t, he prompted, “I don’t believe I caught your name.”

  She blushed. “Oh…um. Paige. I’m Paige Walters.”

  Uh-oh. This threw his plans for a loop. He was all set to charm an elderly librarian type. And Paige Walters was as far from an elderly librarian as they came. She had a studious look to her, but those killer curves and the fact that she was probably younger than him blew that plan to hell. Now what? Maybe she was a fan like Daisy was. That could work in his favor.

  “So,” he began, “you’re exactly who I was hoping to see.” Then he noticed her satchel and it dawned on him that she had been waiting for the elevator. “I’m sorry. Is this a bad time?”

  “Did we have an appointment?” she asked, her voice sounding a little gruff and shaky.

  “Uh…no. We didn’t. I was hoping to talk to you about this campaign that you’re working on.”

  Her eyes got wider and then narrowed at him. “Really?” she asked with both sarcasm and disbelief.

  Dylan nodded. “Yes. So…do you have some time right now to talk? If you’re heading somewhere, I can walk with you, or we can grab some coffee or—”

  “Oh, take her to get some coffee!” Daisy said excitedly, as she walked toward them, smiling from ear to ear. She snapped a couple of pictures of him and then asked Paige to take one of the two of them together before she got back on topic. “Paige was heading out, but she loves that great coffee shop on the corner. They have amazing cake pops.”

  “I’m standing right here, Daisy,” Paige said wearily.

  “I know you are, but I also know if I didn’t say anything, you’d probably pass on taking the time to talk with Dylan. I’m being helpful.”

  “You’re being rude,” Paige murmured and then offered Dylan a tight smile. “Anyway, um…I am heading out for the day, but I can spare a few minutes for coffee if that works for you.”

  “And cake pops?” he teased and almost sagged with relief when she smiled. And damn, did she have a great smile.

  “And cake pops,” she said as she ducked her head and blushed again. Turning to Daisy, she said, “Go and man the phones and I’ll see you Monday. If anyone comes looking for me—”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Daisy replied, clearly suppressing a grin. “Have a great weekend.” Then she looked at Dylan and giggled. “It was nice to
meet you!” Then she spun and practically skipped away.

  Beside him, Paige shook her head.

  “Is she your assistant?”

  She nodded and then reached around him to hit the button for the elevator. A few minutes ago, she couldn’t take her eyes off him, and now she would barely look at him. They waited in silence, and once the elevator arrived, he motioned for her to precede him into it and then stepped in behind her.

  “If you’d rather not get coffee, you know, I’m sure I can schedule a time to meet with you here next week,” Paige said as soon as the doors closed.

  Wait, was she trying to get rid of him?

  While looking straight ahead at the doors, she went on. “I’m sure you’re a very busy man and I don’t know if you can have coffee without people swarming you or something, and to be honest, if we’re going to talk about the campaign—and your possible involvement in it—I prefer to do so without fans hovering for pictures.”

  Her voice was almost void of emotion, and Dylan realized Paige clearly wasn’t a fan of his.

  “I don’t normally get bothered,” he supplied. “I mean occasionally a fan or two, like your assistant, will come over to say hello, but it’s not like my presence in a Starbucks is going to incite a riot or anything.”

  “Still… I think it would be better if maybe we scheduled something for…”

  Dylan stepped in front of her—directly in her line of vision so she couldn’t ignore him. “How about a compromise?”

  She looked at him quizzically but silently. Great. He hadn’t thought about where he was going with this. All he knew was that he didn’t want to wait until next week to talk to her. True, he hadn’t known that until this minute, but there was something about her that…intrigued him. And more than anything, he wanted to know if she had an aversion to working with him because of his history or because of something else.

  Maybe he was paranoid, but he was getting a strong vibe that Paige was trying to get rid of him.

  “A compromise?”

  Think fast! “Um…yeah. A compromise.” Brilliant. Keep repeating the same words. That oughta make her want to work on a literacy campaign with you. Moron.