Page 4 of Total Creative Control

Lewis leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been trying to find a good PA for a while.”

“Well, I’m only temping for the summer. I’ve got something permanent lined up for September.”

Lewis frowned, then wondered why he was frowning. “Wouldn’t this be kind of a dream job for someone like you? Being such a big fan of the show and all?”

“I suppose so, if my career plan was to be a PA,” Aaron said, shrugging. “But I’m starting as a teacher at a secondary school in Dorking in September.”

Lewis raised his brows. “How oldareyou?”

Aaron looked faintly offended. “Twenty-four, why?”

Lewis shrugged. “With a face like that, they’ll eat you alive. What subject?”

“History,” Aaron said tightly. “It’s a good job. Very stable.”

“Stable,” Lewis said. “Right.”

“Besides,” Aaron went on, glaring now, “I only just got here. I haven’t even done anything yet. I might be the worst PA you’ve ever had. From what I’m told, none of the recent ones have lasted more than a few days.”

“True.” Lewis laughed then, liking Aaron’s show of spirit and the way his grey eyes sparked with annoyance. “But the thing is”—he smiled ruefully—“you love the show. I’ve never had a PA who loved the show before.”

Aaron’s annoyance visibly melted away. He smiled again, a little tentatively, his eyes warming.

Lewis, sensing his advantage like a shark scenting blood in the water, said quickly, “Okay, history boy. How about this? We’ll see how this week goes, and if you’re half-decent, we can maybe talk about you staying on till September.”

Aaron looked uncertain, but there was a definite glimmer of excitement in his eyes too. “I guess I could stay till September,” he said slowly, then smiled, raising one brow. “Ifyou decide I’m half-decent.”

Lewis grinned back. “Okay then.” He leaned forward, setting his elbows on the desk. “So, I have a couple of important rules for people who work for me.”

“Yeah?” Aaron said. “Fire away.”

“Obviously, we’re working on a popular show here, and you’ll have access to a lot of confidential material.”

Aaron nodded, understanding. “I already signed a confidentiality agreement when I went through my forms with Sophie.”

“That’s good,” Lewis said, “but I always mention it myself because a lot of people seem to forget all about it between signing the agreement and arriving at their desk. Bottom line: you don’t talk about anything you see at work outside the office—and that includes online.”

“Understood,” Aaron said seriously.

God, he was cute, Lewis thought helplessly, before determinedly shoving that unhelpful thought aside.

“The second rule is related,” he continued. “I expect total honesty. I need you to be up-front with me about anything that could affect your conduct at work.”

“Got it,” Aaron said. “Anything else?”

Therewassomething else, a final rule that Lewis always tacked on to the end of this speech. It was a rule that had been given to him by his first boss and one that he believed in wholeheartedly, after seeing what havoc could be wrought when it was broken. But for some reason, on this occasion, Lewis found himself hesitating.

Until a little voice at the back of his mind whispered,Don’t let yourself be tempted.

“Just one last thing.”

Aaron was smiling, waiting.

Lewis cleared his throat. “I’m not saying this to be a dick, but since we’ll be working together, I just want to be clear... I don’t get involved with colleagues. Ever.”

Aaron looked gobsmacked.

Lewis held up a hand. “I realise that sounds pretty fucking vain, and I’m honestly not assuming youactuallywant to jump my bones, but I think it’s best to be clear about this sort of thing from the start.”