Page 17 of Falling For My Assistant

The buzzer came again, and she hiked the skirt up and ran to the door.

“Hello, yes, I’ll be ready in a minute,” she said, pressing the button. Her stomach tightened when Sean’s voice floated into the space, the reply static and stilted.

“Okay. I’ll be in the car.”

She released the button, then hustled back to her bedroom.

She grabbed the zipper puller and tugged it up, sliding easily up her back. Negotiating the tool off the dress, she plopped it onto the bed, leaving it there.

Erin grabbed the heels and slipped them on, then cursed.

“Should have put them on before the dress,” she muttered, unable to buckle the straps.

Deciding to just wing it, she made her way out of the bedroom.

Her phone sat next to the square bejeweled clutch Laurenza gave her, already filled with her things.

Thankfully, it came with a long chain strap she could use if she needed to.

Erin pulled on the soft and luxurious faux fur white stole that Laurenza had insisted she take to add to her ensemble.

She hooked it together with the clasp and sighed, finally ready to go.

Heading into the bedroom to turn off the lights, she stopped in front of the mirror, taking in the view.

The gown sparkled, even in the dim light of her bedroom, the shoe's toe strap sticking out from beneath the hem.

Following the line of her body, she came to a halt on her face, feeling a little bit naked without her glasses on. She’d decided to wear her contacts instead, so she wasn't shoving them up her face the whole night.

“So, this is you all dolled up, hmm?” she asked, doing a little turn.

Panic pooled in her belly, and she took a deep breath, trying to halt the tears welling up.

Leaning her head back, she waved her hands, doing her best to dry them. Couldn’t have the makeup job ruined by her tears.

There was so much riding on this night, especially for Sean, and she didn't want to ruin it for him. Making a good impression on the other higher-ups was so important to him, and even though he didn't say it, she knew it was.

There was a reason only certain people got invited to this party, and he finally made it on the list.

He worked hard and even though other men were often full of themselves when they rose through the ranks, Sean wasn't. He worked hard and was kind to people, and he was a wonderful boss.

He was also nice to her friends and co-workers when they came to say hi, often waiting until she was done chatting to ask her to help him with something.

And, if you do well tonight, maybe he will give you a glowing recommendation.

She hoped so.

The buzzer echoed through the apartment, and she jumped, bringing her back to the present.

Scurrying through her home, she closed her curtains and turned off the overhead lights, leaving the lamps on.

Making sure everything was off, she left the apartment, the door shutting behind her with a loud click.

Erin stepped into the cold and tucked her stole tighter around her, the crisp winter air biting at her cheeks.

“Miss Smith,” Royce called, waving her down.

Even though they’d known one another since she started working for Sean, Royce still called her Miss Smith. She couldn’t convince him otherwise.