Chapter 9

David

Ignoring my morning wood and waking up an hour early had brought me into work before anyone else, but I was so excited about Allison coming to work for me that I could barely contain myself.

Greyson walked into my office with a look of shock and awe.

“Damn. Mark this day on the calendar. You’re actually here before me? You’ve never managed that. Hell, you’ve been on time maybe once since your father died, and that was when you were interested in that lady on the fifth floor.”

With narrowed eyes, he walked around my desk and leaned in, sniffing the air around me and eyeing my suit. “That’s your ‘fuck me’ suit.”

“You’re crazy,” I said with a laugh. “I don’t have a ‘fuck me’ suit.”

“That’s your best-tailored suit, and your blue tie. Tell me you’re not trying to accentuate those blue eyes.”

I had deliberately chosen the tie for that reason, but I wasn’t admitting to anything.

I curled my lips into a smile. “You’re starting to worry me with the whole, flair for fashion thing.”

“It comes from dating models and having a gay tailor. So, sorry to disappoint you, David, but I won’t fuck you.”

“I ought to punch you in the fucking throat for saying that shit.”

“I could say something, but it’s too far, for even me.” I let loose a breath and gave him a look. “But I know I’m right. You’re all spiffed up for someone.”

“Allison’s coming in. I saw her yesterday and gave her the job.”

“What job? There was no job. Oh, that’s right. You mean the job you created for her.”

“Yesterday, you seemed to think it was a good idea.”

“I still do, but if I can’t fuck with you about it, what fun would it be?” He grabbed a cup of coffee from my Keurig and was on his way. He did the same thing every morning and usually hung out behind my desk.

I had work to do, but with Allison on her way, I was too distracted. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was so beautiful, and I made a mental checklist of all the women I’d met. None compared. She was the hottest, the prettiest, and the sexiest by far. I was so pissed at myself for letting her marry that asshole, but I knew without that asshole, she wouldn’t have her wonderful daughter. Perhaps everything had happened for a reason, and we were all supposed to be together. I pushed the thoughts out of my head. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I couldn’t just step in and assume anything. Sure, she was divorced, but it didn’t mean she’d want me for anything more than a friend.

Just when I’d finally gotten her off my mind, she showed up with a little knock on my door. “Knock, Knock.”

I smiled at her greeting because as kids, it had been the way we entered each other’s homes.

“Come on in. I was wondering when you’d show up. Did you get lost on the way?”

“No, sorry. I didn’t want to show up too early, and you didn’t specify a time. It’s only eight-thirty. Was I supposed to be here at eight?”

“Oh, sorry. Longest morning ever.”

“Yeah, it’s flown by. I hoped I wouldn’t be too late.”

“No, you’re perfect.” I’d gotten to work so damned early, I’d thought it was already close to noon. I had been so anxious and in my head about seeing her, that the hours had dragged out forever. I offered her a seat across from me.

“I was hoping we’d discuss job duties and of course, pay.” She lowered herself into the chair and crossed her legs.

“Yes, of course. I want to make sure you’re well-compensated for the job you’ll be performing.” I hadn’t really written anything out because there weren’t any forms for her job description, so I scratched my head and then folded my hands on the table in front of me. “Let’s see.”

“Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, sorry. It’s just no one’s ever done this job for me before. What I really need is someone to schedule my appointments, make reservations, handle some of my personal chores, like my dry-cleaning, make and take calls. And of course, you’d handle my PR.” I cleared my throat and jotted down a number on a piece of paper and folded it in half. “Does that sound like something you’re interested in?”

“Yes, I think I can handle that.”

“Good.” I slid the paper across the desk. “Do you find this acceptable?”

She picked up the paper and opened it, her eyes widening. “This is per month?”

“Yes, is it enough? I mean, really, if you don’t think it’s fair—”

“No, it’s very generous, thank you.” She placed her hand on her chest, and it was then I noticed its rise and fall.

“Well, it’s a very big job, putting up with me.” I chuckled and gave her a wink. I had no idea what the going rate for PA’s was, but she seemed pleased. I could afford it, and that was all that mattered. She seemed preoccupied by the view behind my desk.

“Excellent view, isn’t it?”

“It’s breathtaking, actually. I didn’t realize how high up I’d gone.”

“Yeah, it’s deceiving. It’s hard to think my father made all of this while we were busy growing up in the suburbs.”

“The middle-class suburbs,” she corrected. “You never acted like you had a lot of money.”

“That’s because I didn’t.” I couldn’t help but blurt out a laugh. “The old man was the one with the money, and you want to hear the truth of it?” She nodded. “We had no idea how much he was worth until the day they read the will.”

“Really? He kept it a secret?”

“There’s a reason I scribbled down that figure and passed it to you. My old man never discussed money, and you won’t hear that happening here in these walls, either. That salary of yours should stay to yourself, not that I’m saying you’d tell anyone, but in case you’re asked. It’s no one’s business. My father used to say he had cash in every pocket and change in his socks.”

“Sounds painful.”

I laughed. “Painful depends on your perspective, I suppose.” She leaned forward in her seat as if hanging on my every word. “What he meant was, you keep your money tucked in many pockets, and the little money, the change, is what you stand on. That’s why my father kept his three kids in middle-class suburbia while running a billion-dollar company.”

“And so painful is perspective.” She shook her head. “You had a good childhood, didn’t you? I mean, you had a nice home. We didn’t live in the slums by any means, and if I’m not mistaken, you had all you needed, right?”

“Of course, we did. From my perspective, it wasn’t so painful at all. But take Blaine, for instance. He’s been pissed off at my father since the reading of the will. He felt slighted having to grow up without the glamorous things in life. He felt his art might have gotten more attention, that he’d have been happier. Missy had to cook and clean and take care of us boys once our mother died, and she struggled the most, through it all. Missed out on a good education, had the most sacrifices. We could have had cooks and maids. Instead, she did it all. Cleaned, washed clothes, and fed us.”

“Well, I’m glad you lived across the street. I wouldn’t have wanted to throw dirt at anyone else.” Her eyes sparkled.

“And I wouldn’t have tolerated it from anyone else. You had my attention, Ms. Beall. Why do you think I went back and forth so many times?”

“Actually, now it’s Ms. Simon. I never changed my name back after the divorce.”

“Sorry that didn’t work out for you.” I wasn’t really, but I had nothing else to say. I couldn’t tell her I despised the father of her child.

“Oh, I’m much better off. It’s hard at times, being a single mom, but most of my burden has been financial. Doug doesn’t make a lot, so he doesn’t pay a lot in support. But with this job, now I don’t have to worry about that.”

“Good. And if you need anything you let me know. I’d love to help.”

“Thanks, but that’s not necessary. You’re helping so much more than you know. I can save up for her college now and afford insurance finally.”

I felt a pang in my gut. She’d been going without insurance for her child. “Well, it’s your lucky day. We provide insurance to our employees. It comes with the job.”

Her eyes lit with shock, and she leaned forward across my desk and took my hand.

“Thank you.” She wiped her eyes. “That’s a huge burden lifted.”

“We also have scholarships, if you’d like to apply in about twelve years.” I was totally making shit up at this point, but I was a total sucker for her, and if her kid needed to go to college, I’d pay for any school she wanted.

“I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”

“Awesome, you can start on Monday if you want. I know you wanted to give your friends at the diner a little notice, and I respect the hell out of you for that. Some people would just leave them hanging.” I stood from my desk. “Let me walk you out.”

She saw my Cobra as she walked past it in the garage. “Wow, what a pretty car.”

“Thank you, I love it, too.”

She tilted her head. “I thought you have a Jeep?”

“A Jeep and a motorcycle, too, but the weather hasn’t been too agreeable for those lately. So, I usually drive this in. She’s my baby.”

“Nice baby.”

I walked her to a practical SUV and wondered if there was any way I could manage to get her a new car without being too obvious. I was handing out insurance and scholarships, so what the hell.

“Call me, and let me know if you need anything. I’ll see you soon.” I stood there for an awkward moment, wanting to kiss her goodbye, but knowing it wasn’t appropriate. I shut her door and watched as she drove away. I returned to the building where I found Greyson waiting outside the elevator.

He flashed me a wink. “Great white buffalo.”

“Oh hey, does the company have any kind of scholarship program for high school students applying to college? You know, for our associates’ families?”

He made a face. “Nope. Your old man was too much of a tight wad.”

I folded my arms. “He paid for your college, Greyson.”

“Yeah, but I’m like family; the son he’d never had, remember?” He wasn’t going to stop busting my balls over that one.

“Yeah, golden child, make it happen and name it after my father. I want at least one kid a year being rewarded, and I get the final say.”

With that, I left him standing in the lobby with his mouth hanging open.