Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Thank you for coming,” Brynn finished her sentence, nodding to me with a smile and professional grace I didn’t have at the moment.
I downright glared at the guy in the cheap suit who stood just a hair too close to Brynn for my liking.
“Thanks for accommodating my schedule for the interview,” he said, all smiles and confidence. Who the fuck was this guy? “I hope to hear from you soon.” He winked at her. The jerk actually winked. “Hi,” he said when he had to stop in front of me, my six-foot-three frame blocking his exit. “We good?”
I didn’t say a word, just stepped to the side and watched as he left a little faster than he probably intended.
“Who the hell was that?” I asked, closing the door behind me as I stepped into Brynn’s office.
“Hi to you too,” she said, arching a brow at me.
I slid my hands into my pockets, doing my best to calm down. I had no right to be angry. No right to get territorial.
“Who was that?” I asked again, calmer this time.
“An interviewee for my assistant opening,” she said, sighing as she scooped up her iPad and marked something off with the pen.
I stepped closer to her. “Oh,” I said. “I didn’t realize you were interviewing men for the spot.”
She set her iPad back on her desk before looking up at me. “What is that supposed to mean?”
I shrugged. “Exactly what I said.”
“Why would I not interview someone based off their gender?” she asked, popping a hand on her hip.
Fuck, she was adorable when she was checking me. And she was, rightfully so. Discrimination wasn’t part of my business model nor my moral compass. I was all for inclusivity on every level and made sure anyone I ever hired was too.
Then what the hell was my problem?
“Okay, fair,” I said, raising my hands in an apologetic gesture.
She didn’t budge an inch, holding steady to her battle-ready form.
“I only meant…” Shit, what had I meant? “He was clearly hitting on you,” I said. “And an interview after seven?”
The hand on her hip dropped. “I know,” she said, sounding a little more than disappointed to admit it. “I mean, I didn’t know he was hitting on me until about ninety seconds before you walked in. But I honestly believed him about his schedule and knew I’d be here late tonight anyway.” She clenched her eyes shut, shaking her head. “Maybe I’m not as cut out for this as I thought—”
“Hey,” I said, touching her chin to tip her eyes up to mine. Hers fluttered open at my touch, and I swallowed hard. “You’re more than cut out for this.”
“I can’t even find an assistant,” she said. “And the one I found with some credentials ended up hitting on me.”
“You will find the right one,” I said. “Male, female, or otherwise. And fuck that guy for sure, but can you really blame him? Look at you.”
The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, and Brynn tilted her head.
“I mean, at least he did it right away, right? That way you knew before you hired him and then he crossed any lines.”
She laughed, this one genuine. “I guess you’re right,” she said. “But I’m a little surprised.”
“Why? I’m almost always right.”
She rolled her eyes. “Because it’s not like you know anything about crossing lines. You’re as straight as an arrow when it comes to all things professional.”
“You really believe that?” I asked, taking a step closer to her.
“Yeah,” she said, visibly swallowing as I entered her space. “I’ve never seen you step a toe out of line.” She tilted her head. “That’s not a bad thing, Wes.”
“I know all about lines,” I said, my heart racing. Could she really not see it? Did I hide it that well?
“Okay,” she said. “Sure, you do.”
“I do,” I said. “Especially when it comes to assistants.”
Fuck me, I was on a roll tonight.
“What?” she asked, then waved me off. “I know you’re all about winning, but you don’t have to make things up.”
“I’m not.”
She pursed her lips at me. “So since I’m your main assistant, you’re saying that you’ve struggled to not cross lines with me?”
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to shut the fuck up. Why the hell had my mouth chosen this time to get loose?
Maybe it was because I couldn’t stop thinking about where exactly I wanted to put my mouth when it came to Brynn, and seeing that asshole hit on her during a job interview had just pushed me over the edge.
“Wes?” she asked, intrigue and curiosity lighting up her eyes. “What if I wasn’t your assistant?”
“You are.”
She took a step toward me, and I took a step back.
“What if I wasn’t?”
“You’re my best friend,” I said by way of answer.
“So?” She shrugged. “What if I wasn’t?”