Page 40 of The Rebel Billionaire

Callie clearly resolved the issue, as it was fixed within minutes. I ignored the error in scheduling. Will there be more mishaps once Callie goes? Am I going to be walking around fixing Brooke’s messes?

But of course, she’s lovely, at least according to Pete’s email, which tells me how friendly and efficient my new PA seems, and how he can’t wait to meet her. Glad there’s an Atlantic Ocean between them. The last thing I need is another friend running off with my PA and getting her pregnant.

Where did that thought come from?

Brooke appears to be oddly likeable. Those who meet her seem to respond to her positivity, her optimistic outlook on life. Everyone she deals with enters my office smiling, having received a warm welcome. Even Callie is blown away by her and the speed with which she’s picking up the role. She keeps telling me how wonderful Brooke is, and what an agile mind she has. It shows you can’t always judge someone’s ability by their academic results. It’s why we started running the psychometric tests in the first place. I wonder whether her grades were affected by her father’s death. Maybe he’d been ill for years.

There’s a knock on my door.

“Come in.” I sigh and look up as Callie steps into the room.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Close the door and take a seat,” I say.

Callie does as she’s asked.

“How are you feeling? Not too tired, not overdoing it?”

She rolls her eyes at me.

“Don’t you start. It’s bad enough with David checking on me every five minutes. I’m perfectly fine. Brooke is amazing and has already taken over most of my role. I’m just supervising.”

I shoot her a look, and she inclines her head.

“I told you, Brooke is turning out to be a quick study. There won’t be any more errors like this morning. I should have warned her, that was on me,” she says, raising an eyebrow.

“When I travel, the issue is going to arise again.”

“And now she knows to check.”

“You left your desk, and there was a mistake—one that would have wasted a lot of people’s time, mine included.”

“Really, Alex?” She harrumphs. “Brooke is handling herself brilliantly. Cut the woman some slack. She’s going to make mistakes. Everyone does. I certainly made plenty when I started working for your mother. But I learned over time. From what I’ve seen with Brooke, it will be once, and once only.” She glares at me, letting me know she’s not happy with my treatment of our recruit. “As for everyone else, they love her. She not only has a quick mind but also has a cooperative spirit and is highly organised. The notes she’s taken are even colour-coded for efficiency.”

I sit back and steeple my fingers.

“You still think she’s the right person for the job? I can call one of the agency staff back.”

She sighs. “Have you not heard a word I’ve just said? Brooke is perfect. She’s personable and cheerful. People respond well to her.”

“You mean, she’s all those things except around me?” I say, watching Callie’s lips twitch.

“If you stop growling and ignoring the poor woman, she might feel more inclined to smile at you too. No offence, Alex, but you’ve been a grumpy ass since she arrived. Even I’ve not wanted to set foot in here.”

I scowl, so Callie scowls back.

“Fine,” I say. “I’ll try harder.”

She stands up. “See that you do. She’s going to be an asset. If you’d only let her.”

Callie leaves, and I go back to my work.

Heaven help me, the last thing I need is Brooke Feldmann smiling at me.

* * *

It’s early when I enter the office.