by Julie Cannon
Stephanie watched every nuance of Luca’s face as she spoke. Her words were positive, but her eyes were sad and her smile strained. Stephanie glanced back at the building. Of course Luca was sad, she was dealing with the passing of her grandmother and Stephanie was keeping her from the services. Embarrassment flushed across her face. “I’m so sorry for keeping you.”
“Who are you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Who are you?” Luca let the question hang between them before shooting Stephanie a bright smile, one Stephanie felt in her knees. “You’re not the same Stephanie Austin I left at the office on Monday.”
Without hesitation, Stephanie grinned to match Luca’s. “I suppose you’re used to me talking while my head is up my ass.” They laughed together at the truth of the statement. “When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong.” She screwed up her mouth and bopped her head from side to side. “Maybe not in the best of ways or in the nicest of terms, but I do, and I’m saying I was wrong with my entire approach to you being my assistant.” Stephanie reached out and placed her hand gently on Luca’s forearm. “Take your time grieving, get some rest, and be prepared to work your ass off when you get back to the office.”
“I will, Ms. Austin.”
“And please, call me Stephanie from now on.” Before Stephanie knew what was happening, Luca stepped into her and wrapped her arms around her neck. After a second of hesitation, Stephanie relaxed and returned the hug.
Under the star-filled sky, Stephanie hoped that the embrace was as comforting for Luca as it was for her.
Chapter Nine
Luca returned to work Wednesday of that week. She still felt sad and was all too ready to throw herself back into her job. She stepped off the elevators and approached her desk, a desk she no longer recognized. Stacks of files cluttered the normally tidy surface and two more boxes were stacked off to the side. Luca looked at the coffee in her hand and wondered if there’d be any room for it.
“Luca.” Andrew’s loud voice carried across the office. He was carrying another box of files.
“How long have you been here for?”
“I just got in,” he said, setting the box atop the growing tower. “Before I did anything I was told to bring this up to you. What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure.” Luca barely finished her sentence before the door to Stephanie’s office opened.
Andrew looked up in fear and turned to Luca. “Text me later.” His retreat would’ve been funny, if Luca wasn’t so confused by everything else around her.
“Ah, I see you’ve received your assignment just in time.” Stephanie’s voice had returned to the monotone drawl Luca was used to. The warmth and personable tone she had witnessed at the funeral home was either long gone, or just a dream. “I hope you brought your lunch with you today because you’ll be working through it.” Stephanie’s eyes were on her phone, and not once did she peek at Luca, who still stood holding her coffee. “I need you to review every one of these files.”
“Every one?” Luca asked with wide eyes. There had to be sixty files on the desktop alone.
Stephanie took a paper from a file she had tucked under her arm. “Every single one. We’re looking for connections between these companies and individuals, and any activity outside of the norm. We have to check every number—we may even need to check them twice.” Stephanie handed Luca the paper but didn’t let go right away. When they looked at one another, something fierce danced in Stephanie’s eyes. “This is a big case. Are you up for the challenge?”
“Absolutely.” Luca tugged at the paper. She smiled when Stephanie let go.
“If you come up with a system, let me know. There’s more boxes in my office.” Stephanie started her retreat.
“Are any of these archived on the computer?”
Stephanie turned back with a smirk and said, “No, and where would the fun be if they were?” She stepped into her office and shut the door.
Luca approached her desk slowly, looking at the boxes and noting the years written on the exterior. They spanned over half a decade. Stephanie wasn’t just teasing when she told Luca to prepare for working her ass off. “Wow,” she whispered to herself. She found a clear area to set her coffee down and pulled out her chair. A small note on the seat caught her eye. Luca unfolded the paper and read aloud. “Look in your top drawer.” She followed the instructions and found an unwrapped box with a small card on top.
Good luck on your first day. You’re going to need it.
—Steph
Luca ran her thumb along the cursive, smirking at each word in turn. Her breath caught when she opened the box. Inside was a sleek silver pen with a filigree clip. Luca examined the pen, feeling the weight of it in her palm and spinning it between her fingertips. The light caught the polished metal just so, highlighting an engraving along the side: Wrongfully Underestimated. Luca chuckled and fought against the tears she felt stinging her eyes.
She didn’t expect Stephanie’s acceptance or her willingness to work side by side, but Luca was truly ill-prepared for Stephanie’s kindness. Stephanie Austin was a workplace drone, one that was determined to be the best and perform her best at all times. Failure had no place in Stephanie’s world, whether it was her own or someone close to her. But Luca had seen a new side of Stephanie. She was warm and kind and funny. Luca couldn’t help but think if she’d have met her at a bar, she’d find herself pining after the gorgeous blonde. But Stephanie was, in reality, Luca’s boss, and completely out of Luca’s league. One of life’s cruel twists.
Luca looked to the small card again, this time with sadness. She took the small note and tucked it away in her purse. She wanted this version of Stephanie for herself—partially for selfish reasons and also to protect Stephanie. Her workplace persona was built after many years of hard work. Luca didn’t want to be the one to break it all down now.
The first three hours of Luca’s day were spent cross-referencing names and companies with detailed financial reports that cluttered her desk. She had barely made it through one stack by the time her stomach growled, signaling lunchtime. Luca recalled Stephanie mentioning working through lunch, but without Stephanie popping from her office again, Luca wasn’t sure if that was truly the case. She opened the bottom drawer of her desk, the designated snack drawer, and fished around for something to satisfy her angry, grumbling stomach. Every nutritional morsel was gone—no more granola bars or trail mix packs were tucked to the back. Luca’s only choices were chocolate, sour straws, and one lonely pack of Yodels. The cream-filled devil’s food snack cake would have to do.
Luca unwrapped her snack impatiently, tearing at the cellophane as if it were biting her back, and shoved three-quarters of chocolate-coated roll into her mouth. Stephanie chose the moment before Luca’s teeth sank in to open her office door. Luca froze. Her eyes were on Stephanie, her mouth was full of cheap cake, and her fingertips were sinking into the melting chocolate of the small piece that couldn’t fit in her mouth. She could feel her cheeks warm when Stephanie smiled coyly.
“I was about to ask if you’d be interested in venturing out for lunch today, but I see you’ve already eaten.”
“I camff—” Luca’s eyes widened. Talking with your mouth full showed poor etiquette. She chewed quickly and threw the remaining Yodel in the trash. She swallowed, cleared her throat, and looked at Stephanie before continuing. “I can go for something a little more filling.”
Stephanie’s smile broadened and she said, “Grab the files that are labeled July 2013 and we’ll head out. I’ll brief you on exactly what we’re doing once we get to the diner.”
“The Atlantis Diner?” Luca said, hope filling her voice and eyes.
“Of course. No one goes to the dive across the street.” Stephanie spoke a true statement. Diners were everywhere in New Jersey—some sat face-to-face on opposing streets—but just like Philly with its cheesesteak stands, there were good, and then there were the best. Stephanie stepped back into her office and reappeared wi
th her briefcase and blazer. She wore a cobalt pencil skirt that matched the blazer. The color did wonders for her eyes. “Ready?”
Luca had yet to move from behind her desk, but luckily she knew right where 2013’s folders were set. She lifted the small stack and looked back at Stephanie. “I’m ready to get down to business and eat a lumberjack breakfast.”
Stephanie tilted her head. Luca noticed the way her left eyebrow had a higher natural arch than her right. “Pancakes or French toast?”
The question caught Luca off guard, so she blurted the first thing that came to mind. “Are you making me choose?”
“No,” Stephanie said, laughing quietly and looking around. Luca wondered if she worried about breaking the office’s expectations of her. “I’m just curious.”
“I like them both equally. Pancakes are versatile, but making the perfect French toast is an art form.”
“Can’t argue with that logic.” Stephanie ushered Luca to the elevators, and once they stepped inside, she looked at Luca. “I’m happy with either, as long as they’re served with a good cup of coffee.”
Luca felt she should write this information down, but she knew her memory would never be faulty enough to let any information about Stephanie Austin slide. “A good cup of coffee makes everything better.” The elevator dinged their arrival to the ground floor.
Stephanie stepped out first and looked back at Luca. “Agreed.”
Luca was a bundle of jittery nerves during the short, silent ride to the Atlantis Diner. She hadn’t expected Stephanie to drive them both, but she definitely wasn’t surprised by Stephanie’s sleek new Audi. Luca’s stuttering heart hadn’t begun to settle until after she had placed her food order. She smiled at Stephanie when she placed an order for the same breakfast feast.
“You inspired me,” Stephanie said with a wink.
Odd, but nice, Luca thought as her belly quivered slightly. “So, what’s the lowdown? What’s this big case that’ll have me up at all hours?”
Stephanie stirred half of a creamer into her coffee and tapped her metal spoon against the ceramic cup three times before looking at Luca. “It’s a secret.” Luca’s eyes rolled as far back as they could. “But not from you, just everyone else. Hence why I waited until lunchtime to fill you in. We needed to be out of the office.”
“Does Mr. Witlin know?”
“No. Only I knew, and now you.”
Luca pushed aside her silverware set and napkin and leaned forward on the table. “Why so top secret?” The fluttering in her chest was back, but this time Luca was excited.
“Because I’m taking it upon myself to investigate the one who initiated the investigation.” Stephanie’s eyes never strayed from her coffee as she spoke, drawing Luca’s attention to her long lashes. Stephanie looked up, her eyes fierce and sparkling. “This goes a lot deeper than a simple investigation,” Stephanie said. She laid her hand upon the stack of files. “I’m grateful that I’ll have your assistance on this case, Luca.”
Luca was taken aback by Stephanie’s sincere expression. Things had actually changed. “I’m grateful for the opportunity, Ms. Austin.”
Stephanie laughed and sat back from her coffee. “You really need to stop with that—as lovely as it may sound. Stephanie is fine, but feel free to call me Steph if you’d like. Just keep that one to a minimum in the office.” Stephanie lifted her index finger to her lips in a mimicked shush. Luca watched with rapt attention, entranced by the way Stephanie’s full lips puckered. Why were beautiful women so goddamn distracting?
“Two lumberjack breakfasts with pancakes, white toast, wheat toast, and one chocolate chip pancake.” The waitress set the meal down and waited a polite second for any further requests. “Enjoy.”
“Why the extra pancake? I wasn’t going to ask before, but my curiosity got the best of me.” Stephanie went about spreading a hint of butter on her pancakes, far less in comparison to Luca’s slathering.
“I like to have dessert with all of my meals.” Luca grabbed the syrup and poured it across her entire plate. “You’ve been with LGR for some time now, why are you still so protective of your reputation?”
“As much as I’d love to talk about myself, we’re here for more important things.”
Luca felt thoroughly scolded. “Of course. I’m sorry, Ms.—Stephanie.”
“I’m not withholding,” Stephanie said, reaching out and placing her hand on Luca’s. Luca almost dropped her knife. “Later, I’ll tell you all about my early career and how I achieved my position. I promise, because I want you to follow in my footsteps.” Luca looked at Stephanie’s hand on hers. Their skin tones almost matched, but where Luca had olive undertones, Stephanie was pure alabaster. Stephanie drew her hand back abruptly. “Back to business.”
“Yes, business.” Luca shoved an obscenely large bite of pancake into her mouth.
Luca ate and listened as Stephanie outlined their entire case for her. Luca asked few questions, not wanting to interrupt Stephanie, but there were times when Stephanie would speak too quickly for her to keep up. Her excitement was contagious and Luca found herself falling into the adorable display. Once their plates were clean and Luca had stopped picking at her dessert pancake, Stephanie looked at her expectantly.
“Thoughts?”
Luca laughed outright. “You just told me the CEO of a million-dollar marketing outfit fired his business partner for skimming from the top of the business’s funds, and now you’ve discovered the CEO is the one who may be guilty in all of this.” Luca scratched at her forehead. “I have a lot of thoughts, but not many of them stray far from holy shit and what a can of worms. I am curious why you’re keeping it a secret, though.”
“Because these are big accusations, and I think it’d be in our best interest to uncover and collect as much evidence as possible before we involve anyone else. I’m never wrong; now we just need a stack of hard facts to keep my streak alive.” Stephanie sat back with a smug smile and crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you worried?”
“Worried? No. I’m actually pretty excited.” Their waitress stopped by and placed the check on the table between them.
“Why’s that?” Stephanie said, snatching the check from Luca.
“Because you have no real idea what I’m capable of, and I finally have a chance to show you.”
“I really didn’t think you were the cocky type. I guess I was wrong.”
Luca leaned forward and said, “Does it count as cockiness if you really are that good?” She stood and stretched her legs. They’d been at the diner for too long. Luca’s backside hurt from sitting on worn padding, and the air-conditioning must’ve been getting to Stephanie because when Luca looked back to her, she shivered.
Chapter Ten
Stephanie was amazed at how quickly three weeks had passed. Three weeks of late nights, hushed investigating, and white lies between outside coworkers. Three weeks of isolating themselves in Stephanie’s office. They started work before nine in the morning and made a habit of staying well past seven—giving Stephanie the opportunity to enjoy almost every meal of the day with her assistant. All this time spent with Luca helped make Stephanie feel a little less alone than she normally would while working around the clock. And she enjoyed every minute of it.
She had learned so much about Luca, like how almost anything could trigger a random memory from Luca’s childhood or how Alice wasn’t her number one fan after their first disastrous meeting at a family barbecue. And in turn, Stephanie found herself opening up more easily than she had in the past. She spoke lightly of her parents’ divorce and the older of two brothers who turned his back on their family years ago. Stephanie would’ve hesitated, but Luca’s eyes were so kind and gentle, encouraging even at their darkest. She was going to miss those eyes once she was living in Chicago, but she had them now, along with Luca’s smile that left her utterly powerless. Which is why when Luca pulled a small bottle of tequila from her purse on Friday night, Stephanie couldn’t help but laugh.
>
“I don’t normally drink, especially not at work, but I felt like we needed to celebrate a little since we’re nearing the end of this case.” Luca unscrewed the top and poured two fingers’ worth into two glasses. “I wasn’t sure which brand you liked, so I went according to the cashier’s recommendation. Now that I think about it, I’m not even sure they were old enough to drink.”
Stephanie took her glass and swirled the golden liquid around. “How do you know I even like tequila?”
“You were drinking it at the bar.”
Confusion washed over Stephanie before realization set in. “Ah, yes. Now I remember.” Stephanie sipped at the tequila, not wanting to cloud her mind.
“I shouldn’t have approached you that night, but I’m terrible at handling awkward situations. As it turns out, I handle them by making it more awkward for everyone involved. Your friends probably thought I was a loon.”
Stephanie held her glass to her lips and looked at Luca over the rim. Luca had grown more beautiful to her as time passed. Where she was once average, Stephanie noticed lovely traits beneath, like the way her hair remained silky straight even on humid days, or the arch of her eyebrow and the angle of her jawline. Not one bit of Luca was average, just covered up to appear so. But her brilliance was truly her most exquisite feature, the one that kept Stephanie up at night, craving her conversation.
“My friends actually thought you were pretty hot and teased me about fulfilling their boss/assistant fantasies.” Stephanie wasn’t entirely sure why she shared that bit, but Luca’s widened eyes made her happy she did. Something about knowing the Chicago office announcement was coming and the taste of tequila on her tongue bolstered Stephanie’s bravery. Luca revived a once-forgotten feeling in Stephanie.
“That seems to be a very popular fantasy.” Luca cleared her throat. “Do you have the expense reports from the first half of this year?”
