“I’m not going to take advantage of my employee.”
“Your loss. Then again, I guess you have an endless amount of options. Which cover model are you taking to the benefit dinner this weekend?”
He cleared his throat. “Actually, I’m going with Lori.”
Will burst out laughing. “Sure, she’s just your employee. Nothing strange is going on at all. I totally believe you.”
“The last thing I want to do is go to a benefit,” he said. “Especially a hand down. I’d rather take some pain pills and relax on my Saturday night. Sue me if I’m choosing the path of least resistance here. Lori knows the crowd and she knows me. She’ll make the evening easier and end faster. Show me a cover model who can do the same.”
“Then buy an extra plate for Lori and bring her along. You’ve done it before. Then you get both her expertise and a gorgeous model on your arm.”
“I don’t want a model.”
Will leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp. “No. You just want Lori.”
“I’ve already told you—”
“Oh, I know what you said. But you’ve moved this woman into your home and are now taking her on a very expensive and public date. What are you up to?”
He rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know.”
“You told me you’d never approach her as long as she was your employee. You wavering on that no-dating-in-the-office policy?”
“No.” Yes.
“So then what is this?”
“She’s just helping me. That’s all. Can we get back to work now?”
“We’re talking about branding optics. This is way more interesting.”
“Have I ever shared the details of my personal life before?” he asked, taking a gamble that he was a private man at work.
Will sighed. “Sometimes you’re just no fun.”
Relief filled him. At least he wasn’t some jackass who liked to boast about his conquests at work. Mentally, he crossed off another attribute from the list of possibilities. Every conversation he had with every new person he met was one more piece of his own puzzle. Little by little he was building a persona of the man he’d used to be. Steady. Cautious. Ruthless when the business needed him to be.
Cold.
And apparently, he’d made a very conscious and public decision not to pursue Lori.
Why?
No matter how much he learned about his past, that one question plagued him.
“Well, I’m bringing a model,” Will said, clearly not finished with their conversation. “You can live vicariously through me and my date.”
“Can’t wait.”
“I hope we don’t have to stay long. These fundraising things get so tedious.”
“Most of the board will be going. We need our game faces on.”
Will scrunched his nose. “They’ve been around more often than normal lately. Anything you want to talk about?”
“No.”
Will was silent before saying, “There are rumors HynCor is making moves.”
“The only way they can rival us is if they merge with a larger organization and squeeze us out of the market. I’m not concerned,” Jackson lied.
Will studied him before nodding. “Fine. If you say so.”
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“But we need to make a good show with the board. Even you with your injury.”
“It’s just a wrist. I can hold my drink with the other hand,” he said drily.
Will didn’t crack a smile. “You know I’m here to help. If you need some support to strategize, that’s why you hired me.”
“Just show up this weekend and charm the board.”
Will nodded. “Will do, boss.”
“And leave Lori the hell alone.”
This time a slow smile shaped the other man’s lips. “Whatever you say. You’re the man in charge, right?”
“Damn straight.”
It was his own fault he wished he could be anything else.
…
“Lori Carlow, you have some explaining to do.”
She glanced up to see a trio of women at the door of her office and sighed. “What’d I do now?”
The other women piled into the room, surrounding her desk. “You’ve been holding out on us,” one said.
“Yeah, we want the inside scoop.”
She leaned back in her chair. “About?”
“Last week you said goodbye to all of us.”
She glanced at the speaker. Curly blonde hair rioted around Audrey’s face. Next to her, Will’s EA Teresa folded her arms, waiting for an answer. Behind her was Lily, who worked with the head of marketing.
The assistants of the top executives stood in her office and every single one of them could smell a lie a mile away. They were sharp, or their employers wouldn’t keep them around. They were her were team as much as Jackson was.
And she couldn’t tell any of them the truth.
Here we go.
“Jackson made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
The trio exchanged a glance. “Didn’t you say there was nothing he could offer that you’d accept?”
She shrugged. “I was wrong.”
“So, what was it? Are you making a hell of a lot more money than us now?”
“Yep,” she lied. “Good news, you’re all invited to hang out on my new yacht.”
Audrey dropped into one of the chairs at her desk. “I heard a rumor you two arrive to work together in the mornings now.”
“Plus, I’ve never known you to be very mercenary,” Teresa pointed out.
“Are you dating him?” Lily asked last. “Did it finally happen?”
Lori sighed, putting her computer to sleep to focus on her colleagues. “Jackson was in an accident,” she said. “It wasn’t serious, but his right wrist is fractured and he needs some help until he’s healed enough to take care of himself.”
All their brows rose as they spoke all at once.
“Accident?”
“Is he okay?”
“How did you get roped into that?”
She held up a hand. “Racquetball. He’s fine. And I offered.”
Lily chewed her lip before saying, “That sounds like a really bad idea.”
“I’ve had worse ones. Case in point, does anyone have a gown I can borrow?”
“You’re going to the hospital benefit this weekend?” Teresa asked. “I just had to confirm the airhead Will’s taking.”
“Hopefully I’ll win best conversationalist, then.”
“Why are you going?” Audrey asked.
“Jackson isn’t a hundred percent yet and he asked me for help. I wasn’t going to say no.”
“I think that’s the problem here,” Teresa said. “You haven’t been saying no a lot.”
If only you knew. “I want to help him.”
“Because you like doodling Mrs. Sinclair in your binders,” Lily teased.
Lori tapped her foot in annoyance. “Not quite. Look, I’ll revisit quitting when Jackson is well again. It’s as simple as that.”
“Is it?” Audrey said, her gaze shrewd. “Because the rumor mill has HynCor pinned as ready to make a move against us. You staying to hold down the fort for a while wouldn’t have anything to do with that, would it?”
She kept her face impassive. “If the rivalry is heating up, I haven’t heard anything about it yet. I doubt information like that would get passed to us EAs. Has Will said anything?”
Teresa shook her head. “I’m keeping my ears open.”
“Then let’s not worry until we know there’s something to worry about. Come on, guys, I need a dress, and I doubt accounting would let me write off a Gucci gown as a business expense.”
“I’ve got something that might fit you,” Lily said. “Jill took me to an event with her once and I had to look the part. I’ll bring it in tomorrow.”
“I’d offer, too, but I doubt mine would fit,” Audrey added, gesturing to her flat chest. “We’re not ex
actly built alike.”
“Thanks for the thought. I have a dress I usually use for things like this, but it’s super plain and best for blending into the background.”
Teresa cocked her head. “Why don’t you want to do that this time?”
She squirmed. “I’m not going as his assistant. At least, not publicly.”
Three sets of eyes swung to her.
“You’re Jackson’s date?” Lily squeaked.
“Again, he’s not totally healed and he wants someone at his side he doesn’t have to turn the charm on for. This isn’t a compliment, guys. I’m just the most convenient woman in his immediate vicinity.”
“Bullshit,” Audrey declared. “This is unprecedented and you know it. None of us ever got that chance.”
“Lily’s boss is a straight woman and Teresa is happily married,” Lori pointed out.
“You know what I mean. He’s being different than normal. Especially with you. This is great, Lori.”
“He’s not different,” she said.
“He said good morning to me yesterday,” Lily said. “I don’t think he’s spoken to me in years.”
“He asked Cami in accounting about her baby because he noticed the picture on her desk when he was down there,” Audrey added.
“And Will says he’s been a little shorter tempered with him than usual.”
“Will’s an ass, can you blame him?” Lori said.
“The point is something is up, and everyone can feel it.”
That is very bad news.
She’d been so sure they were pulling this off. In many ways, he was the man he’d always been at work. Decisive, intuitive, strong. But there was a new streak of kindness in him that needed to be put back in its box. Particularly where she was concerned. While her inner voice might applaud his championing of her this week, it was out of character. If these three had noticed, they were running out of time before the gossip mills started churning.
“No one is their best self when they’re in pain,” she tried.
“If this is Jackson in pain, then we need to make a pact to keep him injured from now on,” Audrey said.
The others nodded their agreement.
Unease filtered through her. “You like the new Jackson?” she asked.
“I’m not quite as terrified to walk into his office,” Lily said.
“Maybe he’ll rub off on Will,” Teresa added in.
“Whatever is going on, keep it up, is all we’re saying,” Audrey finished. “And if this is your shot to go from assistant to girlfriend, freaking jump at that chance.”
“Jackson doesn’t think of me that way.”
Lily laughed. “Have you seen how he’s been watching you lately? I had to double check where we kept the fire extinguisher during our meeting yesterday.”
“Embellish much?”
“I think our point is, wear some good underwear the night of the benefit. A girl should always be prepared.”
She tossed a pencil at Audrey. “Thanks for the pep talk. You guys can leave anytime.”
“Now, now, you know we’re rooting for you,” Teresa said. “I, for one, am thrilled you didn’t quit. I told you all you had to do was talk to him.”
Which is the last thing I’ve done.
“Thanks for the support,” she said. “I really do have a lot on my plate right now, though.”
“Say no more,” Audrey said as she pushed to her feet. “We want updates on your date on Monday.”
“It’s not a date,” she called as the trio headed for the door.
“Sure, it’s not.” Teresa gave her a wink before closing the door behind them.
It’s not. Even if I might wish otherwise.
And if what the girls had reported was correct, they had bigger problems than her wayward heart.
Chapter Eleven
Jackson closed his eyes, breathing in the night air. He leaned against the rail of his patio and looked out over the dark grounds that stretched out around the property. Despite the city address, he’d clearly picked this place because the size buffered the house from any neighbors. He almost felt like he was alone in the universe, standing out here.
Not like that’s different than usual.
Tomorrow was the benefit and while he shouldn’t be dreading it more than a normal day at work, he was. When people let their guards down and the alcohol was flowing things could get dangerous. At work, he could bluff his way through a business dilemma he’d planned and practiced for. But social small talk was different. He couldn’t remember if he’d already told the same anecdote or whether he was hob knobbing with someone he’d shared memories with. There were too many ways for this to go south fast.
Sighing, he rubbed his forehead. His blasted headaches refused to go away.
In his other hand lay his phone, just waiting to make a call he’d put off for too long.
You need answers. Make the call.
Gritting his teeth, he unlocked the cell and pulled up the one number he’d added into the memory. Before he could change his mind, he tapped the number.
“Dr. Warren speaking,” a man said as he answered.
“It’s Jackson Sinclair,” he said. “Sorry about the lateness of the call, Doctor.”
“Mr. Sinclair, of course. Not a problem at all. With the donation your brother made on your behalf, please feel free to call me day or night. We appreciate your support.”
Hush money.
His brother was a smart man.
“How can I be of service?”
“It’s been some time since the accident,” he said. “But these headaches I keep having refuse to go away.”
“Hmm.” Dr. Warren paused. “Any other symptoms? Any memories returning?”
“None,” he said. “Or at least, nothing concrete. Sometimes I get these feelings like I should know something, but my history is still a blank page.”
“And the pain pills I sent you home with won’t help?”
“They make me fuzzy. I can’t use them at work.”
The doctor sighed. “I wish I could give you an answer. Why don’t you make another appointment and come in? I’ll run some tests, get some scans. Maybe more is going on than we thought.”
“Or this could just be how my body is adjusting?”
He could almost hear the other man shrugging. “Unfortunately, yes. It might just be a side effect of the head trauma. I can prescribe some sleeping pills for you to use at night but beyond that, there’s not a lot we can try.”
“Not the answer I was hoping for, Doc.”
“Let’s get you in so I can examine you. Just as a precaution.”
The last thing I need is more time off work or more time in a hospital. The talk is bad enough with just a fracture.
He could imagine how his stock would plummet if anyone discovered the CEO of Sinclair Enterprises was getting a head CT.
But then again, he didn’t want to do anything to make his condition worse.
“Is that the only option?”
“Mr. Sinclair, I really must insist you don’t let this wait. Any number of things could be wrong. We need to rule out more severe alternatives.”
“Fine. I’ll carve out some time to come see you in a few days. We can run your tests then,” he said, turning at the sound of the sliding door to the kitchen opening. Lori stepped out, two glasses in her hands.
“Of course, Mr. Sinclair. I’ll make the appointment as fast as possible,” Dr. Warren said.
“I appreciate it.” He disconnected the call as Lori reached him.
“Who was that?” she asked.
“No one.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Was it your brother?”
He hissed, looking back to the garden. “No.”
“You’re going to have to call him eventually. Don’t you think he can help with the benefit preparation? There’s only so much my flash cards and charts can do. He went to these things with you. He’ll know what conversations you had and with whom way better than I wi
ll.”
“I’ll take it under advisement.”
She sighed, obviously seeing the lost battle for what it was. “Fine. Here.” She held out a glass to him.
Pleasantly surprised, he accepted the scotch and knocked his tumbler against the twin nestled in her own hand. Together they took a sip in the darkness and he nearly groaned at the welcome taste. Maybe the liquor could dull the pounding in his head.
“So, you want the good news or the bad news?”
“Do we ever have good news?”
She shrugged. “You made it nearly a week without blowing your cover. I say that’s pretty incredible.”
“I sense a ‘but’ coming.”
“But we have another problem to add to the pile.”
“That pile is growing damn fast.”
“I was talking with the girls today.”
“Who?”
“The other top EAs. We banded together to survive all of you executives.”
“I’m sure that will be good information to know when I get my memory back.”
She smiled. “Anyway, they were grilling me about you and they all mentioned you seemed different this week.”
He sighed. “Hell.”
“So far it’s nothing severe. Sounds like everyone is chalking it up to you being a little off your game because of your wrist. Pain pills are a good excuse if it ever comes up. You might want to take a few publicly tomorrow to give the story some support.”
“I don’t like using them.”
“Throw back some Tics Tacs, then.” She took another sip. “Are you sure you’re okay not using them for real?”
“My wrist doesn’t hurt that much anymore.”
“I meant your head.”
“I’m fine,” he lied.
“Mm-hmm.”
She didn’t sound convinced, but he didn’t care. He’d dumped every problem he had at her door. This, at least, was one he didn’t need to burden her with. If Dr. Warren had no solution, Lori wouldn’t be able to do anything but worry for him and her pity was something he wanted to avoid at all costs.
“You’d tell me if something was really wrong, right?”
“Worried about me?” he asked, turning to face her while leaning a hip against the rail.
“Of course,” she said, staring down at the amber drink in her glass.
“Because I’m your boss.”
Giving Up the Boss Page 9
