by Tamie Dearen
“What transition?”
“Your transition to CMA. The problem is I still need an executive assistant.”
“You’re moving me? To Contract, Merger and Acquisition? I thought that was just a ploy.”
“Well, you’ve already proven yourself. And we’ll need you to work with these companies in the months ahead, now you’ve established a working relationship.”
“But I don’t have any business education. No one in that department would have any respect for me.”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking, you might want to take some night courses. Gherring Inc. would pay for them.”
“Wait! Just stop for a second and let me think. This is a bit too much all at one time.” She put her head in her hands, rubbing her forehead.
“And I’ll have to get another executive assistant. We can probably still get the candidate I planned to hire before you arrived and shook things up. I think her name was Lana Stewart. Don’t you want this? You’ll get a raise, of course.”
“I… I just need to think…”
“Well, you’ve got six hours to think. Are you awake now?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m awake for sure.”
Anne’s heart was contracting in her chest. Was this a promotion? She guessed so, but maybe it was simply his way of getting rid of her. In the CMA department, she’d hardly ever see him. She couldn’t turn this down—it was the opportunity of a lifetime. He’d even offered to pay for further education. She could eventually get her MBA. Her dad had always been a little disappointed she didn’t use her degree. He’d told her, “You were made for great things!” But she’d felt fulfilled just raising her children. And now her children didn’t need her anymore…
Wasn’t this what she really wanted? A chance to be challenged? A chance to be more than just a secretary? Why wasn’t she thrilled? She knew the answer. She’d looked forward to seeing Steven Gherring each day, even when they didn’t interact a lot. Now, after spending so much time with him, she realized how much she was going to miss him. She felt desolate already.
The plane’s engines droned, and her head hurt. Maybe it was from lack of sleep, or maybe it was from worrying about his plans to move her to a new job in a new department. But whatever the reason, it hurt so much she couldn’t think anymore.
She glanced at Gherring, who was reading a newspaper. “Do you have anything for a headache? Ibuprofen? Aspirin?”
Gherring’s eyebrows knit together. “Sure. Is it a migraine?” He didn’t wait for an answer, but started for the back of the plane and returned quickly with two ibuprofens and a bottle of water.
“So, how bad is it?”
“It’s not a migraine. I think it’s just a tension headache.”
He sat down next to her. “Okay, call me crazy, but you don’t seem too happy about this promotion. What’s going on?”
What could she say to him? I just want to be your secretary so I can stay close to you? Ha! That would go over like a lead balloon. She could never let him know. He would send her farther away than the CMA department. She already knew the best thing she could do was to find a wife for him. Maybe it would be easier to let him go if she didn’t see him every day. She needed to work fast while she was still with him. Being in the other department, she wouldn’t have many opportunities to set him up with the ideal woman, whoever that was. Since he’d shared his thoughts on the subject, she felt she needed to search harder and be more scrutinizing.
But why had he decided he didn’t want to be around her anymore? Maybe it was because she’d become so involved with Henri. But Henri really cared about her, and he really needed her. She wouldn’t desert Henri just so that she could pine for Gherring every day.
“Anne? What’s wrong?”
“How soon would we make the switch?”
“Well, it depends on how soon I can find a replacement for you. And how soon you can get him or her trained.”
He covered her hand with his, and her skin sizzled. She remained still with great effort. “You know, you’re really gifted. They loved you. You can’t believe how many people told me they want to work with you in the future. You should be really proud. So why aren’t you happy? Are you nervous? Because I know you’ll do a great job. I’m never wrong about these things.”
What could she say? How could she explain to him why she wasn’t thrilled? She couldn’t even explain it to herself. She thought of a practical question. “Who’d be training me?”
“I thought maybe Shanna Matheson might take you under her wing. She’ll be back from maternity leave in December. Jared’s a little green or I’d pair you with him. Would you rather have someone else?”
“You do realize I don’t know anything except the stuff I learned in one day? Just the stuff I needed to understand how to prepare Jeff’s presentation? I don’t really understand all the different concepts.”
“What impressed me was not your understanding of the concepts, but how easily and quickly you managed to grasp those ideas. Some people study for years to learn what you picked up in a few hours.”
“Oh… Okay.”
He frowned. “Usually people respond more positively to my praise.” He bent his head toward her. “What gives?”
“I… I don’t know. I’m really honored and flattered… I mean… Thanks, I’ll do my best. I’ll try to get my replacement trained quickly.” She bit her lip.
“Are you afraid? Is it too much responsibility?”
“No… Maybe… Yes, I guess that’s it.” She peered into his eyes. “What if I can’t do it? And then…” She looked back down. “And then you’ll already have a new executive assistant…”
One side of his mouth quirked upward. “I guess we could wait to get your replacement.”
“Really?”
“You don’t have to take the promotion at all if you really don’t want it.”
“You mean you’d let me stay if I wanted to?”
He looked up at the ceiling and blinked his eyes. “I really don’t understand you at all.” Then his eyes locked with hers. “Is that what you want?”
She couldn’t look away. “No, I think I want the job. I… I just… It seemed like you might want…” She finally blinked and averted her eyes, “You seem to want a different executive assistant…”
“So you do want the job? But you don’t want me to get a new executive assistant? I’m so confused—”
“Ha! You think you’re confused!” She wanted the new job, but she didn’t want to quit her old one. And she wanted him to offer her the promotion, but she wanted him to be at least a little sad about it. He just seemed too happy about replacing her—like he wouldn’t miss her at all. But of course he wouldn’t miss her, not like she would miss him.
“Ms. Best?” his deep intense voice compelled her attention.
“Yes, Mr. Gherring?”
“What would make you happy? What job would you really like at Gherring Inc.?”
“Honestly? Mr. Gherring—you are Gherring Inc. Right now I help you with everything you do. Aren’t I more valuable as your assistant than I would be in CMA?”
“Well, I don’t know. You’ve done quite a bit more than an executive assistant usually does. You’ve learned technical specifics about an area of the company and accomplished work I would’ve had to do myself. That’s way more than being a personal executive assistant.”
“Oh, wow! That’s a great idea!”
“What idea?”
“That I’ll be your expanded-duty executive assistant. I can learn about everything you do and take some of your workload—that sounds awesome!”
“Is that what I said?”
“That’s what I heard. Isn’t that what you said?” Then she sat up and grabbed his arm. “Oh, just one thing—do I still get a raise?”
He closed his eyes for a long moment and then started chuckling. “I really have lost control, haven’t I?” After he caught his breath, he turned back to her. “So, Ms. Best?”
“Yes, Mr. Gherr
ing?”
“Are we going to need a secretary?”
Chapter Twelve - What’s Important
Gherring didn’t talk anymore about expanding Anne’s job description and keeping her as his assistant, but Anne began to worry. For the rest of the flight, there was no discussion of work, but she wondered what he was thinking. Since she’d spilled the whole story of Henri’s niece, he’d be more suspicious than ever. She had to make sure he didn’t hear about the Thanksgiving trip to Paris. Even though he obviously felt sorry for Henri and his niece, he’d still be upset she was going to see him. Perhaps she could help mend the relationship between Gherring and Henri. That would certainly take some strain away.
But how on earth was she going to keep a handle on her feelings for Gherring. She’d be spending more time with him than ever before. She tried to think of him objectively. But she couldn’t deny her body’s response when something happened to remind her he was a man, and not just her boss. She definitely needed him to keep a lot of clothes on, although his broad shoulders and muscled chest were hardly disguised, even in dress clothes. But it was absolute disaster to see him in workout clothes. And thank goodness she’d probably never see him in a towel again—that’d been the worst. And she needed to make sure they never came into actual physical contact.
The best thing she could do would be to find a wife for him. If he were attached, she’d be able to put all those thoughts out of her mind. It was like a switch in her head would be turned off. She’d never be attracted to a married man. She was almost certain if Gherring were married, she’d lose all that physical attraction she felt for him right now. Then maybe she could let herself be attracted to someone else. She didn’t believe she’d ever find someone like Tom, someone she could really love and trust, someone she would be willing to marry. But maybe she could find a man she could be a really close friend with. Maybe even Henri. But first she had to eliminate Gherring from her system. He really messed with her perception.
It was seven thirty p.m. in New York by the time they arrived back at the apartment. Gherring still hadn’t mentioned anything more about the job. Anne debated whether to ask about it as she dragged her weary body into the lobby.
But Gherring broached the subject as they entered the elevator. “So, I guess we should get together and talk about your new job description before Monday.”
Anne panicked. She’d already decided she shouldn’t spend anymore time with Gherring outside of work, but she could hardly refuse. “Uhmm… Should someone else be at the meeting with us, like maybe Katie?”
His brows pinched together. “I don’t think Ms. Carson needs to be involved. After all, she’s leaving in mid-December. Why don’t you just come up for dinner tomorrow night? We can iron out the details.”
“Uhmm…”
He slanted a suspicious look toward her. “Unless you have other plans? Maybe you’re planning to talk with Henri at that time?”
“No, I don’t have other plans—”
“Okay then, six o’clock? Seven?”
“Seven is okay.” She heard the words come out of her mouth.
“Or, I guess if you’d rather, you could come up earlier and run while I work out.”
Anne felt all the blood drain from her face. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean, that won’t work for me. I’ll see you at seven for dinner.”
“See you tomorrow night, then,” he said as she exited the elevator. She didn’t respond but she noted his self-satisfied expression before the doors closed. What on earth had she gotten herself into?
Henri had left her a message on her phone to call him in the morning. He sounded weary. And Anne discovered her most recent email from Johanna.
Dear Anne,
I must hear what happened on your trip to Switzerland! How did Mr. Gherring behave toward you? Do you think I am right he is interested in you as more than a secretary? And what about Henri? Was he jealous you went to Switzerland with Mr. Gherring? What did Mr. Gherring say about your plans to go to Paris next week to stay with Henri? Are you still going?
My life here is boring, so write back soon! I am trying to talk Alexander into visiting New York in December. We must get together!
Yours truly,
Johanna
Anne quickly jotted a note back.
Dear Johanna,
Switzerland was beautiful! I have a stamped passport now! Mr. Gherring was extremely considerate. And no, I am certain he is not interested in me as more than a secretary. In fact he tried to move me to a job that would have meant we seldom even worked together. I negotiated for something a little different. I am getting a kind of promotion, with expanded duties, as a reward for long hours of work on the presentation. I am a little nervous about living up to his expectations. Henri surprised me with a visit in Bern. Mr. Gherring and Henri got along fine, considering the circumstances. I still plan to leave for Paris on Tuesday night. I would love to see you in December. You could perhaps help me clear some confusion from my head with your sage advice.
Thinking of you,
Anne
Anne was exhausted from the travel, but she knew she needed some exercise if she wanted to sleep well. So she changed quickly and made her way to the gym. It was mostly deserted on a Saturday night. Only one other soul, and he was busy with the free weights. She knew most people in the building had something to do and someone to be with on Saturday nights. But she was glad to have a chance to clear her mind. She set the treadmill for forty minutes and started her run. Soon she was in her zone, concentrating on the smooth repetitive motion propelling her feet forward on the belt, consciously minimizing extra movement, relaxing her shoulders. She felt the initial burn in her leg muscles and pushed through it until she no longer felt any discomfort, just warmth. Her mind relaxed along with her body, and she let her thoughts wander.
She was certainly overthinking the problem with Steven Gherring. She was not some young hormonal girl who couldn’t control herself. She was a strong, determined woman. She’d already proven herself in her education, her marriage, her motherhood, and now in this new job adventure. She was smart enough to handle any challenge put before her, and she wouldn’t let something like a little physical or emotional attraction to Steven Gherring cause her to make a misstep. She’d raised two children by herself for fifteen years. During that entire time she hadn’t let herself even look at another man. She was disciplined before, and she could be disciplined now.
Anne finished her forty-minute run and cool down. Feeling much more positive and relaxed, she picked up her bag and stopped by the water cooler for a drink. She realized she even enjoyed the feeling of being drenched in sweat with her hair plastered to her head. It was a feeling of accomplishment. She opened the door and slammed her sweaty body into someone entering the gym.
Steven Gherring had arrived at the gym with his shirt off, and now she’d smeared his chest and abdomen with sweat.
“Ohmygosh! I’m so sorry,” said Anne.
“That’s okay. I’m gonna be sweaty in a minute anyway. You’re leaving already?”
“Yeah… but what are you doing here?” She tried to keep her eyes on his, but her gaze kept drifting downward.
“I live here. I own the building. I can use the gym, can’t I?”
“But you have equipment upstairs in your apartment. Why are you using this gym?” she asked, as once again she felt her eyes fall toward his bare chest.
“Maybe I just wanted a change of scenery or a little company.”
Anne glanced back into the gym. “It’s dark outside, and there’s no one else in here.” She couldn’t stop herself from gazing at his muscled abdomen. She felt her heart racing. “And why don’t you ever wear a shirt?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned and stomped down the hall.
“Hey Mom, I missed you.” Anne could see Emily’s pouting face on the computer screen. “I can’t believe you went to Switzerland and you’re leaving for Paris in a few days. I wish you could take me with
you.”
“That wouldn’t be too adventurous for you?”
“Mom, you know I love to travel. I just don’t like doing things that involve bodily injury or death.”
“I know, just kidding. You would’ve loved it. I’m determined to save up money and go back with both of you. Or else you can marry a rich doctor, and he can take all of us.”
“Well, don’t hold your breath. I haven’t even dated in a year.”
“And whose fault is that? I’m willing to bet you’ve been asked out more than once.”
“But those guys all have something wrong with them. What is it about me that attracts creepy guys?”
“Surely they weren’t all creepy, were they?”
“Trust me on this. If they were cute, then they were either stupid or arrogant or players. And I tried to make myself like this one guy who had a great personality, but there just wasn’t a spark. It would’ve been like dating my brother.”
“But you don’t have a brother. How would you know?”
“Mom!”
“Just kidding. But seriously… What about Spencer? Have you heard from him? I just wondered.”
“He’s texted me a few times. But he lives in New York. And he’s probably got something wrong with him—I just don’t know what it is yet. And speaking of long-distance relationships how is Henri? Did he have a fit when he found out you were going to Switzerland with Mr. Gherring?”
“Actually, he took the train to Geneva and surprised me.”
“What? Are you kidding? That’s so romantic. And he’s rich and he’s hot. And he must be crazy about you.”
“Yes, but things are really rough for him right now. He just found out his niece, who might as well be his daughter, has cancer. And she’s only just turned seven.”
“Oh, that’s awful. Will he still want you to come if he’s dealing with that?”
“I think he really needs me, and I want to be there for him. It’s gonna break my heart, though.”
“No kidding. You’d have to be pretty hard-hearted to prevent that.” Emily made a sad face. “Tell me something happy.”
