Page 38 of Hating the Boss

“I could say the same for you,” said Sarah from her desk that wasn’t yet littered with sticky notes of to-dos. I hadn’t gotten to them yet.

I was surprised to see her sitting there at 8 a.m. when I arrived. She looked as good as ever in a dress I recognized. The one I thought was ruined from a perfectly good cappuccino pouring down it. I was glad to see it had survived because it looked so good on her.

“Nice dress,” I said as I settled into my chair, the morning sun at my back as it poured over Sarah’s brown hair, making its different shades of caramel and honey shine.

“Thank you,” she said curtly.

She seemed peeved. Maybe I had pushed her too far yesterday. Especially when I made her go out for that late afternoon coffee, only to not need it anymore. I had been a demanding asshole. I admitted it.

I noted the cream-colored ballet flats she had on today peeking out from under her desk. Another sign that yesterday might have been too much. I didn’t account for the heels she had on.

“What’s the plan for today?” asked Sarah, looking up from her computer. “Another car to detail, perhaps?” She looked at me sharply.

“How was the ride?” I asked with a smirk. “Smooth?”

She rolled her eyes.

“You almost parked it as straight as me.”

“Sorry, I’m not up to your driver’s ed expectations. I use public transport or walk. You know, like normal New Yorkers,” she muttered.

No one had ever challenged me like she did. If they had, I would probably fire them on the spot, but not with her.

It worked for her.

It was sexy when it came from her.

“I actually have a lot of work for you to get done around here,” I said.

Her shoulders slumped slightly in relief, but she kept the cool expression on her face. I wondered how long she would be irritated with me. This was the job she signed up for. While I went a little harder on her than most of my assistants, it was only to see if she was up for the job. I couldn’t afford to lose another assistant, especially not with my father’s eyes on me.

“Where are the Post-its?” she asked, eyeing her desk that was absent of pastel papers lined in rows.

“I figured since we were both here, I could just tell you what I need,” I said, opening my briefcase and running through it.

It seemed to have worked in melting her iciness toward me because I saw a hint of a smile playing at her blush-colored lips.

“That works,” she said with a nod, a tendril of her brown hair falling from the loose bun she wore atop her head. She tucked it behind her ear and waited expectantly.

“I have meetings and lunches I need you to schedule. A lot of them, I’m afraid,” I said with a sigh.

“You don’t seem too excited about these meetings and lunches…” She raised a curious brow and took a sip of water from the glass on her desk.

“I’m not, but they’re necessary. I have to please the pussies.” I rolled my eyes.

She nearly spit out her water, her eyes wide. “Excuse me?”

I laughed out loud, watching as she wiped her mouth while still staring at me like I was insane. I could think of one pussy I would actually like to please, but I digressed.

“Sorry, I should clarify…” I said with a chuckle.

“Please do.” She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly as she looked at me. Her brown eyes glittered with amusement.

“The pussies, as I like to call them, are our board members. Other CEOs who want to be a part of the Stellar Industries name. We’re starting a new quarter soon, so I have to meet with them to make sure we are on the same page and that they are going to continue giving us their money…er, business.”

“And why do you call them that?” asked Sarah, her brows pulling together.

“Because they’re weak.” I shrugged.