“Katie,” I growl.
“But she’s smart, observant, incredibly organized, and determined.”
I’ve had a hell of a time with personal assistants. It used to be part of Katie’s job, but HR keeps her too busy now. Even people with years of experience and references from other executives I trust have fallen short of my expectations. This is maybe the seventh time since January that we’ve brought people in to be interviewed for the position. I’ve accepted that it’s a me problem, but accepting it doesn’t make the problem go away.
I stare at Katie. She’s always picked the applicants with the most experience and best references, which should be the right answer. But I have to admit that it hasn’t worked out in my favor.
When I remain silent for too long, Katie tries again. “I’ll vouch for her, Alex. Give her two weeks. If she doesn’t work out, I’ll interview applicants for the fourteenth time this year.”
Well, fuck, my count was way off.
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
She shakes her head. “I’m really not. I believe in this one.”
Pursing my lips, I glare at her. “Fine. Offer her the job.”
Katie smiles wide and leaves to make the call.
I’m not usually a pushover, even with Katie, but the revolving door of personal assistants is getting to me.
And I’m in a weird mood after the encounter in the coffee shop. No woman has ever stopped me in my tracks before.
Dating’s never been a priority. I’ve had a few short-term relationships and situationships over the years, but I’ve focused on being a good dad to my daughter, Lizzie, and on growing and running my company rather than having much of a personal life.
Lizzie’s mother and I were a terrible match and had already broken up by the time Lizzie was born. I was fresh out of high school, but I got to spend a lot of time with her in those first few years.
After her mom moved her thousands of miles away, I got Lizzie for alternating summers and holidays. By the time I finally had the money to fight for more, she didn’t want to move away from her younger siblings and friends, but she flies out for long weekends whenever she can make it work with her schedule.
I fell in love with technology in college and started my business right after graduating. I had big ideas, almost no financing, and student loan debt up to my ass, but I was determined to make it work.
The industry has exploded in the years since I foundedDelgado Technology Corp. You can open doors with the push of a button, check blood glucose levels without constant finger pokes, keep in touch with your grandma, and help a kid learn to read, all using technology. Now, I have more money than I know what the fuck to do with. I pay my employees well,donate to charities, and my daughter didn’t have to worry about money for tuition like I did.
I’ve never regretted my lack of a personal life. Never felt like I was missing something.
But now, I can’t stop thinking about the woman who drinks peppermint mochas in summer. The way her cheeks turned a charming pink under my gaze. How the smile she gifted me when I teased her about her coffee made my heart feel lighter than it has in years. The curve of her hip, the wispy tendrils of dark red hair framing her face, the sweet sound of her voice…
I’m a fucking idiot. I should have stayed and kept talking to her. But that phone call stopped me. I let assumptions and fear keep me from even learning the name of the only woman I’ve ever felt a real spark for. For all I know, she was making plans with a cousin, but it could easily have been her boyfriend. There’s no way she’s single. And she’s got to be close to Lizzie’s age.
I try to put her out of my mind.
It doesn’t work.
It’safter ten the next morning when there’s a knock on my office door. With a sigh, I stand to answer it.
“Ah, Alex, there you are,” Katie says, as if I’m late when she’s the one who told me she’d bring my new assistant by around nine.
I refrain from rolling my eyes, but just barely. I cock an eyebrow and huff at her. She just grins.
“I showed Amelia around the building a bit. Amelia, this isAlexander Delgado.” Katie takes a step to the side, revealing the person behind her.
My heart jolts in my chest. Holy shit, it’s the goddess from the coffee shop! Her blue eyes open wide in shock, mimicking my own. We stare at each other for so long that Katie clears her throat.
Belatedly, I hold out my right hand, saying, “Welcome to Delgado Technology Corp., Amelia.”
When her hand grips mine, a tiny bolt of lightning jolts through me. By the look on her face, she feels it, too.
She recovers faster than I do, humming and releasing my hand. “Thank you, Mr. Delgado.”
