“Nice to meet you.”
My boss jumps in. “She is the associate I was telling you about.” Ted steps back and I catch him giving me a serious once over, but he’s back to business before it gets awkward. My boss holds his hand out for me to take a seat. “Ted has been a client of ours for years,” he announces proudly. “He’s recently acquired a company and has engaged us to assess their accounting department for best practices. He would like you to head up the engagement.”
Me? Why had my boss been telling him about me?
“He was impressed with you finding the mistake on the quarterly 10Q filing and fixing the problem so that it still went out on time.”
Our team busted our ass to ensure we filed that quarterly comprehensive report of financial performance of the billion dollar corporation to the Securities and Exchange Commission, timely and accurately. Which was why we’d gotten drunk the other night in celebration. That was his company? I’m dumbfounded.
“Yes,” Ted answers as if I’d asked the question out loud.
He shifts in his chair and the light hits the crown of his head. I notice there is a bit of salt mixed in his thick peppery hair. He takes charge of the meeting and begins to tell me his plan. “I would like you to go in and get a feel for things. The caveat is that I would like you to do it under the radar. I would introduce you as a new hire.”
“Why, may I ask?” I’m curious regarding the subterfuge.
“We’ve done all the due diligence. Everything checks out on paper. Now that the deal is done, I need to know if changes need to be made. I find most employees are scared of change, especially when new management comes in. They fear for their jobs. I need to know if their policies and procedures are up to my company’s standards. The best way to find out is from the inside.”
After talking it through, the decision is for me to start work at his office on Monday. That way he has time to set me up with my fake employment. As Ted leaves, he shakes my hand and holds it just a little longer than socially required. And his stare leaves me to believe he’s interested. I might have been flattered because he’s a very attractive man. However, all I can think about are the flowers on my desk from Andy.
The rest of the week passes with Mandy mum on the status of her and Daniel. Andy’s been silent as well. His schedule has been crazy and we haven’t had a chance to talk much at all aside from nightly texts. Some are sweet and some make my toes curl.
On Friday, I get an e-mail from Ted’s office regarding my assignment starting Monday. I get the location of the office and where I need to report to get my security badge. I set up a calendar invite on my phone so I’m prepared.
That night, after a hectic day, all I want to do is kick up my feet and watch a movie when I get home. Instead, I’m pulling out a dress I picked up during a hasty lunch shopping trip.
The color of the dress, bright violet, is a little out of my comfort zone. However, according to Mandy, the silk gown with its sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice with a twist makes me look heaven sent. I have to admit, it subtly hugs my curves with its A-line silhouette, and I feel pretty. I’m standing in front of the mirror when my phone buzzes.
“I’m here. Should I park and come up?” Andy’s sexy voice croons out the other end of the phone.
“No, I’ll be down.”
I end the call and check my hair. Thanks to YouTube videos, I’ve managed to put my hair in an updo with a few tendrils of hair loose to frame my face. My makeup is subtle but there. I stick my phone in my clutch and head downstairs.
Andy’s managed to find temporary street parking at the curb. My wool coat flutters open as I make my way over to the car, barely negotiating the lingering ice patches and managing not to fall on my face in my heels.
Before I can open the door, Andy’s there. His hand on my shoulder shouldn’t have given me goose bumps considering he hadn’t touched me skin to skin. But it does.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
He kisses me quickly before he opens the door and I slip in the car. It’s toasty inside and I’m grateful because I’m rethinking the wisdom of wearing peep-toe shoes.
“It’s not too far,” he says while pulling out. “I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to talk to you much this week. My rotation has been brutal.”
“Don’t worry about it. That’s the life of a doctor.”
He sighs. “Sometimes I wonder why I chose this profession, especially when I see what I’ve missed all week.”
He glances at me and I feel the warmth of his gaze before his eyes are back on the road. And he hasn’t lied about the venue being close. We are at the entrance of the historic Willard Hotel in no time.