Page 23 of A is for Aftercare

“Nothing. He’s great.”

“So what’s the problem.”

I sigh and take a hearty gulp of my beer. “He’s fucking gorgeous.”

“Oh, so you fancy him?” Calvin asks.

I nod. “I cannae get him out of my head, and I keep having all these fuckin’ fantasies about him. I only hired him on Monday. It wouldn’t be so bad if he was shite and I could sack him, but he’s fucking good at his job.” I sigh. “And he’s a fan.”

“How big a fan?”

“He’s readallmy books. I swear he remembers the plots better than I do. He gave me a great idea for my new book today, and I’m actually excited about starting it.”

Gabe narrows his eyes. “You mean the book you started writing three months ago?”

“Aye. I’ve scrapped that pile of horse shite, and I’m starting over.”

Calvin rests his elbows on the table, threads his fingers together, and rests his chin on top of them. He bats his eyelids comically. “So what you’re saying is that you’ve found your muse?”

“Wait,” Gabe says. “Is it the next Orion King novel he’s inspiring you to write or“—he drops his voice to a low whisper—“a new Lee Lawson book?”

I clear my throat. “Maybe both.”

“Put me down for a signed copy if it’s a Lee Lawson book,” Calvin says.

“I’ll take two. Then I can keep one clean.” Gabe winks.

I wave off their silliness. “What am I meant to do?”

“Does he like you?” Calvin asks.

“Bugger off! What would a hot young thing like that see in a grumpy old man like me?”

“You’re not old.”

“I’m ten years your senior,” I remind Calvin.

“And still gorgeous.”

I curl my lip and shake my head. I’m many things, but ‘gorgeous’ has never been one of them. “Besides, even if he was interested, I’m his boss. I can’t proposition him.”

“Sack him.” Gabe shrugs. “Then ask him out.”

“Are you serious?”

Gabe raises an eyebrow. “You know I’m not.”

“Then give me sensible suggestions.” I down half my pint in one go. “I know it’s entirely my problem. Archie’s done nothing wrong. If he keeps working as hard as he has been, he’ll be the best fucking PA I’ve ever had.

Calvin drums his fingers on the table. “Technically, there’s no law that says you can’t fool around with an employee.”

“Andtechnically, he’s hired by an agency, not by you,” Gabe chips in.

“No, but it would be fucking awkward, wouldn’t it?”

“What would?”

“If I ask him out and he says no.”