by Lexy Timms
“You’re kidding.”
Jamie shook her head. “Christine told me that upfront. She’s ordering a size six maid of honor dress, which either I’ll wear if I lose weight or her best friend, who’s already a six, will.”
“Unbelievable!” Alex shook his head and threw his hands in the air. “Your sister sounds like a bitch.”
Jamie stared at him in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry. But that’s ridiculous.”
She grinned, thankful someone else thought the same way as her. “I know, but it’s my family.”
“Well, you need to eat.” He grabbed his phone and began texting someone. “I shouldn’t have been keeping you here every night so late. I forget you haven’t been here very long and you’ve stepped into the job so easily. I hired you to have a PA available twenty-four/seven. Which you do with no argument. However, we can work from the house, that’s the bloody reason I had the suite set up. MacBane is going to start making meals for you as well.”
“Sir—”
“No arguments. He’s my chef, and an extremely good one. I’ll have him prepare your lunch and dinners from now on.”
She felt like she was being spoiled and reprimanded at the same time. “I’ve had Murray’s steak and mushroom pie. It’s a wee bit of heaven stuffed inside clouds of pie crust.” She licked her lips, her stomach rumbling in agreement.
“Who’s Murray?”
“Murray MacBane. Your chef.”
“Oh, I didn’t know his first name was Murray. Interesting.”
“What is?”
He looked up as he set his phone back on the clip of his belt. “His company is Mm. I always thought it meant his cooking was so good, like Mmmm.”
She giggled. “Really?” Then she quickly dropped the smile when he looked at her straight faced. “Murray’s—MacBane’s food is delicious but it’s not going to help me lose weight.”
“I’ve already let him know you want salads and lighter side foods for dinner. He’ll take care of everything.”
“Oh.” What was she supposed to say? “Okay. Uh, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Take it easy for the rest of today. If you feel ill, just let me know and I’ll get my driver to take you home.”
“I’ll be fine. Thanks again.” She started to head back to her office.
Alex cleared his throat.
“Yes?” She paused halfway across the room.
“Don’t forget to stay hydrated.” He came around and walked over to the couch, picking up her glass of water and handing it to her.
“Yes, sir.” Jamie looked at him, sure that he was going to fire her just for being a pain in the ass. She clearly didn’t really make his life easier if she was fainting all over the place. She paused at the door between their two offices. “Thank you, sir. I promise this won’t happen again.”
As she turned to leave, Alex called out to her, “Jamie?”
She turned back around to face him. “Yes, Mr. Reid?”
“Eating a snack every thirty minutes is still non-negotiable. If your sister objects to you being her maid of honor over something as trivial as a dress size, then she clearly doesn’t deserve you,” he said.
Jamie gritted her teeth and nodded. “Yes, sir,” she said, and then left. He clearly didn’t understand the importance of dress size. It wasn’t trivial at all.
Chapter 9
The thirty minute timer went off and Jamie stopped typing long enough to turn it off and grab a piece of celery from the Mason jar on her desk. She took a bite of it as she reset the timer and went back to work. She never liked celery, but it was really just a lot of water in plant form and apparently people could burn more calories eating it than they really consumed. It met Alex’s silly requirement of eating something every half hour, and it gave Jamie a small hope of fitting into the maid of honor dress.
“Where’s Alex?” Annette’s voice pierced Jamie’s train of thought and she turned away from her computer screen, doing her best to not look like she was ready to murder someone.
Jamie saved what she was working on. “He’s in his office right now.”
“Good!” Annette barged through Jamie’s office and paused before she stepped through Alex’s door. “Oh, could you run down and get me a coffee? Three cream and two sugars. Make sure you get it at Starbucks, and not some other place.”
Jamie blinked in surprise. She set down the rest of her celery. “Okay,” she said slowly.
Annette wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Make sure you wash your hands before you get it. I don’t want my coffee cup to smell like celery pieces.”
The office door opened and Alex stepped through, bumping into Annette and sending her crashing to the floor. “Annette! Sorry, I didn’t see you!” He bent down to help her up.
She rubbed her ankle still inside her long four-inch heels. “I don’t think I can walk.”
Alex slipped his arms around her and picked her up. He carried her into his office.
Annette wrapped her arms dramatically around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. “Alex, I’m so glad you’re in,” she whimpered. “It’s been forever since we’ve talked and I wanted to see you.”
“Let’s make sure that ankle of yours is all right. I’ve got ice in my office.” Alex walked back to the door he’d just come through. “I’m extremely busy.”
“I’ll take what I can get, even at the risk of getting hurt.” Annette pointed to her ankle. She turned and smiled at Jamie. “Thank you so much for getting me coffee.”
“You’re getting her coffee?” Alex asked.
“She was kind enough to offer it to me,” Annette said.
Please, bitch, like I don’t see through you. Jamie smiled back politely.
Alex looked at her for a long time. “I see,” he said finally. “Actually, this is perfect, Jamie. I have a few things for you to pick up. Hold on a minute.” He carried Annette into his office and set her down on the couch before heading to his desk and grabbing a pen and notepad. He scribbled something down before wrapping it in a one hundred dollar bill. “Thank you,” he said to her and then closed the door.
Jamie nodded and stared blankly at the wooden door. How could he not see through Annette’s act? She sighed and moved to her desk to switch her snack alarm off and head for the stairs. As she stepped outside she checked his note, hoping whatever Mr. Reid wanted was close to a Starbucks.
Jamie,
Grab a coffee for yourself too, and keep the change.
For the record, you’re my assistant, not Annette’s.
Alex
Jamie smiled and then quickly squashed it. Alex had been unusually nice since she fainted and he had stopped addressing her so formally. He probably loved saving a damsel in distress. Annette had just been perfectly set up.
Jamie sighed. He pitied her. Mr. Reid felt sorry Jamie was so insecure. If she could change it, she would. It was just the way she was. She didn’t want his pity, and even though the extra money could be put toward her sister’s wedding gift, she wouldn’t take it.
She walked to the closest Starbucks, even though it was a block farther than a perfectly delicious coffee shop. Inside she ordered two coffees. Someone tapped on her shoulder and she turned to see Gina.
Gina smiled. “Hey,” she said. “On a coffee run as well?” They hadn’t seen each other much the past few days with the business of work, Jamie following Alex to meetings, and spending more time in his office than her own.
Jamie shook her head. “Annette came into the office and asked for coffee.”
Gina rolled her eyes. “I’ll deny it if you ever tell anyone, but I hate that bitch.”
Jamie ordered the specialty coffee and just a decaf for herself. She grinned at Gina. “She told me to wash my hands so her cup wouldn’t smell like celery. She came through my office to get to Mr. Reid’s office.”
“Why would she do that? She can go through the main office entrance.”
“Maybe no one was there,
” Jamie suggested.
Gina shook her head. “There’s always someone there. If I’m not, Sarah from downstairs comes up to cover for me. That desk is never left unattended. She did it just so she could bug you.”
“Well, Mr. Reid came through our inner office entrance and bumped into her. She fell and he had to carry her to his office to check her ankle.”
“She’s ridiculously high maintenance. Alex should just dump her. He doesn’t even like her anymore.”
Jamie raised her eyebrows. It was not any of her business whether or not Alex’s relationship was on the rocks, but she was interested all the same. Just because I hate Annette. Not for any other reason. “Why did they start dating in the first place? They seem like complete opposites.” Great, now she was gossiping, the one thing she hated.
Gina looked at her strangely. “Actually, I think they’re pretty similar,” she said. “They started dating about a year ago, but both are so career oriented they never had the time to get serious. I’m pretty sure they use each other for fucking and for dates when they’re lonely, or they’re going to some work event and that’s it. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I think Annette wants more. Alex is so focused on work he doesn’t even see how annoyed he is every time she walks into the room.”
It seemed pretty obvious to Jamie, but she wasn’t about to admit it out loud. Her job did not include talking about the boss and she had a pretty good idea Alex wouldn’t appreciate it. Her coffee order came up and she walked to pick the two cups up.
Gina followed her and then looked around as if there were possible eavesdropping employees around every corner. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but is there something going on between you and Alex?”
“What?” Jamie felt her cheeks heat up. “Of course not!”
“Good,” Gina said. “Just making sure. There are some rumors going around the office.”
“Why would anyone think that?” Jamie kept everything completely professional, except mentioning her sister, and maybe the time she passed out. But that didn’t give cause for people to start jumping to conclusions. Plus, she was completely not his type.
“Well, the two of you have been staying late at the office just about every night, you leave at the same time, and he does call you by your first name.”
“I’m sure he calls many people by their first name.” She was glad Gina didn’t know she lived in Alex’s apartment, connected to his house.
Gina shook her head. “Not his employees he doesn’t. Mr. Reid always addresses them formally. Everyone but you. Why are you guys always the last to leave the building?”
“Working! Al—Mr. Reid always works as long as he can.” She shook her head, mad she was even defending herself to Gina. “I’m his PA. He expects me to work with him for the work to go as efficiently as possible. Why is that so hard to believe?” Hell, he chose me to work for him because I’m the last person he wants to fuck. “What goes on in Mr. Reid’s personal life, is none of my, or your, business.” She turned to go.
Gina shrugged. “Last time I checked, Mr. Reid didn’t have a type. I’ve seen a lot more significant others than Annette walk through his office doors, and they look nothing alike. Just saying.”
Yeah, and I’m sure all of them were a size two, model and rich. “We are nothing more than boss and employee. It’s my job to manage the boss, that’s it.”
“You’re sure?” Gina pushed as the barista called her name for her order.
“Not now. Not ever.” She left the coffee shop and turned to go back to the office, angry and confused. She was sure of all the rumors that would be said about her, that one would never be among them. The very idea that she and Alex were sleeping together was absurd when he had Annette at his disposal. She couldn’t believe Gina would think that. She thought the two of them were kind of becoming friends. What had her dad once told her? Keep your friends close, your enemies closer. That about fit the bill right here.
“Wait!” Gina called, sprinting up the street with her coffee in hand. She stopped running, catching her breath as soon as she was even with Jamie.
Jamie continued walking, ignoring her.
“I’m sorry,” Gina said. “I didn’t mean to make it sound like I was accusing you. You say it’s not true then I believe you.”
“Look,” Jamie said as she continued her breakneck walking pace, taking a little pleasure as Gina hurried to keep up. “I got hired to work with Mr. Reid because I’m professional and I work my butt off. I don’t appreciate the office gossip, nor will I ever partake.”
“Again, sorry.” Gina huffed, her breath coming in small gasps. “Can you slow down a bit? This isn’t a race.”
Jamie made an effort to move at a decent pace.
“I’m glad you’re keeping it professional. You seem really sweet, Jamie. Too sweet.”
“What the heck is that supposed to mean?” She was glad the office was forty feet away.
“Mr. Reid only breaks hearts,” Gina said. “He’s not romantic. He’ll never tear himself away from his work enough to actually care about anyone else.”
Jamie nodded. Even though she wanted to believe that he wasn’t at all like that, she knew better. You need to get over your damn physical crush on the guy and listen to Gina. She’s noticed your lingering looks. That’s why there’s gossip. It was a shame. He was just too good looking to be wasted in the work world. Not that she planned on telling Gina that. “Mr. Reid loves his company. He works hard to make it a success so people like you, and me, have a paycheck every week. You’re hired to work. Not spread gossip.” She pushed through the doors and headed straight for the stairs, leaving Gina standing open-mouthed just outside the building.
Who was working for who now?
Chapter 10
Annette stepped out of Alex’s office via the main waiting area as Jamie stepped out from the stairs and Gina exited the elevator. She stomped across the lobby, her ankle in perfect working condition. Bewildered, Jamie wasn’t sure what to do except watch her pass. Annette grabbed her coffee without looking at Jamie or thanking her.
She made it to the elevator just before the door closed, leaving Jamie and Gina standing there in awkward silence.
“Told you,” Gina whispered.
“None of our business.” Jamie turned and headed back to her office. She pulled out the change from the coffee and set it on her desk. No need to bug Alex now about it.
Just as she sat down, Alex came out. “I’m going home early,” he told her. “Have that report on my desk tomorrow, as well as the notes from the meeting with the shareholders earlier today.”
“Yes, Mr. Reid.” She reached across the desk and grabbed the change from the coffee. “Here’s your change, sir. From the errands.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I told you to keep it.”
She gave him her best cool stare. “I don’t want it, Mr. Reid. It’s your money.”
He huffed, clearly annoyed. “What is it, Jamie?” His stare was just as cool as hers.
“Nothing.” She handed him the money again.
“Whatever you have to say to me, just say it.” His voice was hard, like the voice he used during meetings with big execs.
“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’d appreciate it if you called me Ms. Connors.”
He stared at her a moment. “Why’s that, Jamie?”
“I’m not comfortable with you calling me by my first name. I feel like I’m treated differently and I don’t like that. I don’t need the company gossip having me center stage.” She kept her eyes on his, refusing to back down.
“You are different!” he shouted. He closed his eyes and sighed. It looked like he was counting to ten and Jamie was sure she was now out of a job. “What I meant,” he said slowly, “is that you’re my personal assistant. I work closer with you than anybody else. Naturally I’ll treat you differently. You can call me Alex when we’re not in meetings or around other people.”
She nearly scoffed out l
oud, just catching herself in time. “I’d prefer it if you didn’t,” she said, turning back to her work. “Have a good afternoon, Mr. Reid.”
“Thank you, Ms. Connors. I hope the same for you.” He gave her an icy stare and then stormed out of the office.
Jamie went back to work. It has nothing to do with you. He just broke up with his girlfriend. He’s been working late and in the gym early. She knew because she’d been trying to get in a couple of times a week before he showed up and it always felt like he had just been there, like she could still smell his cologne in the gym at the house.
She sighed. She felt horrible, nonetheless, and incredibly humiliated. She could just imagine how Gina and the others would talk now. Mr. Reid broke up with Annette because of Jamie—sorry, Ms. Connors. It looks like that affair is over now. Another heart broken by the wonderful Mr. Reid. Poor Ms. Connors didn’t stand a chance. She should have known better with looks like hers. “Shit, shit, motherfreakin’ shit,” she muttered.
“Glad to know you’re so happy to see me.”
Jamie stiffened and looked up as Stephen stood in her door from the main office smirking down at her.
“Mr. Reid’s not in right now,” she said. “Didn’t Gina tell you at the front desk?”
He shook his head.
Jamie sighed and grabbed the tablet with Alex’s planner now synced to it. “Would you like to schedule an appointment or leave a message for him?”
“I saw Mr. Reid in the elevator,” Stephen said. “I didn’t come to see Alex.”
She had no desire to see her ex-boyfriend, soon-to-be brother-in-law. “What do you want Stephen?”
“Now, is that how you should treat your future brother-in-law?” He smiled, clearly mocking her. He closed the door behind him and stepped into her office. “Nice pad.”
“No,” Jamie said. Great, more gossip for Gina to start spreading. “But it’s how I should treat my ex-boyfriend who broke up with me by sleeping with my sister.”
He glared at her. “You’re such a bitch. I have no idea how we ever liked each other.”
“What do you want, Stephen? I’ve got work to do.”
