“God, you’re such a bore. You were such a free spirit before.” She shot to her feet.
“Yes. Then I had to grow up, remember.” I lifted a brow, challenging a response. Nine years ago, my father suffered a stroke, leaving him with minimal use of his left arm and leg. My older brother by seven years and next in line as the CEO had refused the position mainly due to a falling out with my father. The old man wasn’t happy with Joshua’s divorce and wanted him to patch things up with his wife. Although I’d worked closely with my father for the previous six years, I hadn’t considered myself ready for the CEO title. My brother’s abrupt decision to leave everything and go on some nomad adventure forced my hand, and I found myself steering the helm of a billion-dollar company at the age of thirty-three. The demands of which left me with no time for idle socializing. “If you’re too busy to help, then find me a suitable assistant,” I finally muttered.
“Me? Isn’t that HR’s responsibility?”
“Yes, but they don’t know me as well as my sister does. Since you’re complaining, I’m sure you’ll find the right person.”
“No. Your wife should be handling this.” She wiggled her brows, expecting me to argue. I merely shrugged. Disappointed by my response, she grimaced. “Anyway, I called Jenna earlier and asked if she could help. She’s working for a recruitment agency now, and I promised to send our business her way.”
“Jenna? Your ex-boyfriend’s sister” My bottom lip twitched.
Tamara’s short-lived relationship with David ended after she caught him in bed with her friend. “Well, he deserved what he got. Jenna and I are still friends, though.”
“I’ve got an external meeting. Dinner later?”
“Not going home to dinner with the wife?” she taunted. I scowled. “Anyway, I have a date tonight.”
“Are you trying out a dating app? This is like, what—” I broke off, trying to recall how many dates she’d gone on in the last couple of weeks.
She glared at me. “No dating app. If you must know, this is the third date we’ve been on, and you’ll meet him at the anniversary party.”
“Anniversary party?”
She slapped a hand to her brow, her eyes wide. “Seriously, Drake? Mum and Dad’s fiftieth wedding anniversary party. Please don’t tell me you forgot. It’s in your calendar.”
I pulled on my coat, offering her a sheepish grin. “Sorry. Completely slipped my mind.”
“I’ll make sure you have an assistant by next week even if I have to interview them myself. Given there’s only a couple of weeks to Christmas, I doubt we’re going to get anyone.”
“I’ll leave it to you.” Grabbing my briefcase, I headed for the door.
“And what about these?”
Turning, I stared at the shoes in her hands. “Could you put them in a box for me?”
“Safekeeping, just in case?” A mischief smile dimpled her cheeks. “Would you like me to send out some flyers asking if anyone knows the owner, or I can post it on Facebook?”
“No.” I laughed at her absurd suggestion. “Everything happens for a reason, Tam. You never know.” I exited on my sister’s soft chuckle, wondering about my optimism. It was unlikely I’d run into Cinderella again but looking at those shoes would bring a much-desired smile to my lips. In the basement, I slid behind the wheel of my silver Aston Martin and, a couple of seconds later, cruised out the parking for Leighton.
