Page 31 of Baby Bodyguard

“But you always bring out the best in her, Uncle Reg.” She planted a quick kiss on her uncle’s cheek. “If you’re there, I’m sure it’ll make all the difference.”

“About that conversation—”

“Any time you want.” Sami tugged on his arm. “Except for now. Come on. Noah’s waiting. We’d better hurry before he terrorizes everyone and Widget gives up talking altogether.”

“Great. You’re here,” Noah said the instant they walked in the door. “I need your help, Sami.”

She pretended to preen. “Now why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“It comes as a total shock to me,” he retorted dryly. “Nevertheless, Ithought it might be a good idea if you and I did a quick practice run-through. Widget and the others can watch and pick up some pointers.” He inclined his head in Reggie’s direction. “Good to see you, Mr. Fontaine. Would you be willing to critique our practice session?”

“Happy to,” he said, taking a seat next to Widget.

Sami rubbed her hands together and approached Noah. “Great. If you’ll move out of the way, I’ll sit behind the desk and—”

“Not so fast, hot-shot.” He leaned back in the chair, looking entirely too natural behind the intimidating expanse of rich mahogany tabletop. “I’ll be the employer this time around. Iwant you to play the part of the prospective employee.”

Say, what? “That’s not how we usually do it,” she protested.

“Which is probably where we’ve been going wrong. You’re too nice as the employer.” He didn’t make it sound like acompliment. “So today you get to show us the other side of the process.”

“Okay, okay.” So long as it accomplished their objective, she’d be gracious and let him take charge. Besides, he assumed the role so naturally. “What do you want me to do?”

“Walk in like you’re on a real interview.” He turned his most charming smile on the three women watching the demonstration. “This time you’ll observe while Sami and I show you how it works. Then you can take turns being interviewed.”

“Have you ever done this before?” Sami stalled. “Been an employer, Imean. Do you know what to say?”

“Do you doubt my abilities?”

“Not exactly—”

“Good.” He gestured toward the door. “Go on. Show them how it’s done.”

Giving in to the inevitable, she walked out, waited an instant and then opened the door. Before she could utter a single syllable, Noah cut her off. “You didn’t knock.”

“What?”

“I believe it’s customary to knock on a closed door in an office setting.” He addressed Widget. “If you’re not shown into the room by a receptionist or secretary, always knock first. Sami’s going back out to start over.”

“I am?”

“You are.”

“Noah’s right, Sami,” Reggie spokeup.

She groaned. Power and Noah did not work well together, especially when they were backed up by her uncle. She’d have toremember that. Turning around, she left the room and banged the door closed. It elicited another barked reprimand, one she deliberately ignored. Counting to ten, she pounded on the door before entering theroom.

“I didn’t say come in,” Noah toldher.

“Pretend you did.”

He directed his remarks toward the women, but his silvery gaze never left Sami. “Not waiting to be invited in is a risky move.”

“Being a smart aleck is a riskier one,” she shot rightback.

“Arguing with the boss is the riskiest idea of all. Oh, and one other tip.” He offered Sami a bland smile. “Be sure you wear shoes to your interview.”

Sami peeked at her neon-blue-painted toenails and grinned. “What if you keep misplacing them?”

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