I’m finding it difficult to argue that point because she’s spot on. “Do you have a solution or do you just like to complain?”
“Hmmm, I could probably come up with something,” she replies confidently. “I’ll work on it.”
“Not before Saturday. Magoo is going to sit through the entire eight hours.”
She smiles, and it’s so full of mischief, it makes me want to smile too. But I hold back, reminding myself I’m trying to get rid of her, not play buddy-buddy.
“Noted. You have a busy day today, Mr. Hale. Four meetings this morning, but you should have time to eat your breakfast before the first one. Your schedule should be on your laptop.” Then she hops up and opens the door for me.
“Thank you, Ms. Espinoza,” I say formally.
“You’re welcome, sir,” she says before closing the door.
I place the coffee, cookies, and briefcase on my desk before sitting. Picking up one of the cookies, I sink my teeth into it and groan at the first bite. The crust is flaky and buttery, and the sugar cookie layer on the bottom is perfection, a slight crisp on the outside and soft in the center. And the filling? God, it’s fantastic, an explosion of cinnamon and sugar, which is countered by the tart sweetness of the peaches.
I devour both of them, alternating sips of the hot dark-roast coffee, while I open my briefcase. The manila envelope holding the NDA is staring me right in the face. Pulling it out, I read over it. Mindy will be transferred to the accounting department, effective next Monday. That gives me a week to find a suitable replacement for her.
There are financial penalties if she breaks the NDA and discusses her salary with anyone. It all seems standard and airtight. But…
My eyes hang on one word: Accounting. And all I can think of is goddamn Dave from motherfucking accounting, a.k.a. Spectacles Magoo. Mindy would be working in his department every single day.
Her words ring through my ears.Dave is really nice though.
Nice enough for her to accept his invitation to lunch? What if she takes him shopping for new frames and helps him pick out some slutty little man glasses? Would she be attracted to him then?
None of your business, Hale.
Right. It’s none of my business who she dates. I’ll have her sign this document, and she’ll be out of my hair by next Monday.
And then she’ll be in Magoo’s boy band hair.
“Still none of my business,” I say, standing so I can take the document out to her and explain the plan. She’ll probably be ecstatic. Andwhy wouldn’t she be? She’ll be getting executive assistant pay for working in accounting.
I take two steps and halt.Do it. Just go out there and give her the papers to read and sign.I take another determined step, and a vision of her kissing Magoo flashes through my brain.
“Goddammit,” I mutter, whirling around and sticking the edge of the NDA into the top of my paper shredder. The grinding of paper is oddly satisfying, and then there’s nothing but silence.
I’m a complete and utter idiot.
Deciding another cookie would solve all my problems, I storm out of my office like a man on a sugar-fueled mission. Mindy looks up from her computer monitor, surprise registering on her face.
“Mr. Hale, is there something wrong with your schedule?”
“No,” I say, gruffly. “Getting more coffee.”
She stands, and the navy skirt she’s wearing rides up her thighs, tempting my gaze downward. “Oh, I can get that for you. Just let me know what you drink.”
“It’s fine. I’ll get it,” I say, stomping off before I can ogle her any more.
This was not the plan. I was supposed to get rid of Mindy Espinoza, and now I destroyed the NDA that would have done just that. Sure, I could have Phoenix print me another copy, but my dumb ass would probably shred that one too.
“Mr. Hale, long time, no see,” Ambrosia teases when I enter her domain.
I force a smile onto my face, though I don’t want to. “Can I get another coffee and one more cookie?”
Her shoulders slump. “I can do the coffee, for sure, but I’m sorry, Mr. Hale. All the cookies are gone now. They’re very popular with the staff.”
After pouring my coffee, she gives me an apologetic smile and promises, “I’ll save you three cookies tomorrow. How does that sound?”
