Joy walked out of the lobby and saw a group of executives piling into an SUV parked behind William’s Mercedes. She wondered what that was about.
But when she got up to the Mercedes and William pressed the window down, she smiled. “Hey. I haven’t seen you all morning.”
But her smile weakened when she saw Sloane in the car with him. She knew she was his private secretary and therefore traveled with him. But she was supposedly going to be his assistant too. Shouldn’t she be on that trip?
She knew she shouldn’t be. Her starting day wasn’t for another two weeks. She knew she had to get a grip.
“How did it go?” William asked her.
“You mean with HR?”
“Yes.”
“I’m officially the new assistant to the chairman.” Sloane looked at her when she gave her title. She’d never heard of such a position at Skeffington. “At least I will be in two weeks.”
“Will that give you enough time to relocate to Chicago?”
“Yes sir.” And with that signing bonus check, she’d be financially able to do so too.
“So what’s your plan?”
“Head back to Bridell when I finish getting what I need to know from Bobby. I mean from Mr. Latham.”
William caught the familiarity in her voice. He didn’t like it.
“I’ll check on Gramps and then get packed and get everything taken care of there.”
“Such as?”
Sloane looked at William. When in the world did he become interested in the minutia of a new hire?
“Such as giving the keys to my apartment to the landlord, working out the week at the restaurant, letting Gramps and Contessa know about my new job, and then I’ll come to Chicago to find myself an apartment.”
“I’m surprised Bobby didn’t offer you his spare bedroom.”
Joy laughed. “He did actually.”
“Decline the offer.”
“I already have.”
“And keep it that way,” William said bluntly.
Sloane was again baffled. She looked at him again.
“He’s a good man in his own way,” William continued, “but he’s not for you.”
“Funny how that’s the same thing he said about you,” Joy said with a smile.
William exhaled without returning her smile. “Wise man,” he said before he realized he was going to say it. Then he and Joy exchanged a glance. An uncomfortable glance.
“What’s up with you? Where are you headed?” Joy asked him.
“I’m on my way to England. To London.”
Joy didn’t expect to hear that. “Really? Wow. To see a client?”
“Yup.”
