Page 21 of His & Hers

I grinned to myself as I sat back in my chair. As far as shitty situations went, this one was serving me well so far. I managed to log on, and checked the emails.

The paperwork Lucas had mentioned was indeed on my desk, and I began to sift through it mindlessly. There were letters from companies called ‘Blacks’ and ‘Richters,’ and I soon organized them into piles. I shared his calendar, so I could see he had a meeting with The Blacks today.

I decided to google them and saw that they were a small start-up company specializing in the hotel industry as Deacon Enterprises did. I wondered if they were going to try and get an investment.

A few hours passed, and I went to the reception, ready to greet the Blacks. I smiled at the receptionist as she smiled back politely before the elevator announced our visitors’ arrival.

“Ah, Miss Fallon. This is the Blacks. They are here for their meeting with Mr. Deacon,” drawled Grey Suit from the other day, and I kept my smile in place as I nodded.

His eyes dragged over me as he turned to the four men beside him. They were all suited and booted, and I tried not to feel intimidated as their eyes fell on me.

“Good morning, gentlemen. If you would like to follow me.” I smiled as I turned in the direction of Lucas’s office. I opened the door as he glanced up, and my heart almost stopped when he bit his lip briefly.

“Mr. Deacon. I have the Blacks here for you,” I said as he nodded.

“Thank you.”

The four men filed into the office. I went to close the door before remembering that I needed to offer them drinks.

Seventy grand a year,I repeated in my head like a mantra as I asked what they would like.

The two older gentlemen asked for coffee, while the third man declined. My gaze fell to the last man, who peered at me with interest.

“I’m good for a drink, but could you show me to the restroom, please?”

“Of course.”

Lucas stared at me as we left the room, and I purposely avoided his gaze.

“It’s just down there to-”

“I’m sorry, I don’t need the restroom. I just wanted to speak to you alone.” He smiled at me, his warm blue eyes sparkling as he did. “I wanted to ask your opinion of your boss. On a personal level.”

“In all honesty, Mr...?”

“Black. Aiden,” he said softly, making my eyes widen. Was this guy loaded too? My god.

“Mr. Black, this is my first day here. I don’t know him overly well,” I admitted, as he nodded at me with interest.

“I see.”

The door opened, and Lucas stood glaring at us with annoyance.

“Aiden, are you joining us, or are you trying to seduce my PA?” Lucas asked with a forced smile, his eyes drifting to mine.

“I’ll be right with you,” Aiden replied before turning to me. “But he has a point. If you ever want to go for dinner, Alice, just call me.”

He handed me his business card as I smiled, making Lucas grip the door tightly. Aiden Black was handsome in the traditional all-American way. All blond hair and blue eyes, but I couldn’t feel an attraction between us at all.

But Lucas didn’t know that.

9

ZANE

After three weeks in New York with my uncle, I felt completely refreshed. It was crazy how the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps could calm my mind since I lived in such a ‘shitty little town’, as my dad reminded me constantly.

Uncle Drake was as cool as they came, and he laughed when I complained about my crazy family. He told me that my dad had always been the rebel; the black sheep, you name it. Uncle Drake said this was karma.