Page 20 of Not As Advertised

I stood to make the introductions, watching a blush creep up Abbie’s cheeks as she took in Claire and Heath.

“Abbie, this is my sister Claire, and Heath, her best friend since forever. Claire and Heath, Abbie is my executive assistant at Appeal.”

I watched Claire give Abbie a huge, warm smile as I signaled for Abbie to sit. Heath, to his credit, stood up to shake Abbie’s hand before she sat down.

“Nice to meet you.” Heath was the quiet calm to Claire’s chaos.

“So nice to meet you both as well.” Abbie gave them a warm smile.

Once we were all settled back into our seats, Claire did not wait to dive into her usual shenanigans.

“So, Abbie. Tell me. What’s it like working for my big brother? I bet he’s a super-annoying boss. He was always on my case to clean up my room as a kid. I mean, what fourteen-year-old boy gives a crap about his little sister’s room?”

“Umm…” The way her eyes widened with shock, Abbie could have been mistaken for a human version of one of those cartoon characters. I couldn’t figure out if she was shocked at Claire’s apparent playfulness or worried Claire’s question was a serious one and she’d been put on the spot to attempt a truthful answer.

“Seriously, Claire? Leave my poor assistant alone. No one should be subjected to your pot-stirrer ways without prior notice,” I admonished.

Turning to Abbie, I hoped my smile was reassuring.

“Ignore her. She just says things to rile me up.”

“Aiden! You malign my virtuous character. I’m actually curious about what it’s like to work for you.PoorAbbie has probably been dying for someone to vent to since you started.” Claire looked imploringly at Abbie, her expression so saccharine Abbie laughed, her shoulders relaxing.

Claire had that effect on people. She had the ability to make strangers feel like family.

Even Heath, who’d yet to crack a smile, was no match for Claire’s irresistible ridiculousness. His mouth curved with fondness as he watched her.

Attempting to school her expression, Abbie propped her chin on her hands, as though she was about to reveal some major secret. She hesitated briefly before seeming to relax in response to Claire’s encouraging smile.

“Okay, so get this. Your brother,” she said as she glanced at me, “is an impossible coffee snob. We have been working together for weeks, and I have yet to make a single cup of coffee to his satisfaction.”

Abbie’s lips pressed together as if she couldn’t believe she’d been tricked into hopping on the “rile up Aiden train,” but the hint of humor in her eyes said she didn’t completely regret her contribution.

It was all Claire needed to jump all over me. “My god, bruh.” She wrinkled her nose at the endearment. “Forget I said that. All my undergrads are saying it, but it sounds ridiculous when I do. Anyway, what kind of tyrant are you playing over there at Appealthat you can’t make your own goddamn coffee?”

Not sure how I felt about my sister and assistant ganging up on me at the same time, I held up my hands in surrender.

“I don’t think I’m that particular about the coffee at all, Ms. Summers.” I hadn’t been complaining or anything. I’d simply made a couple of select comments about changing the coffee brand or whether the milk seemed off.

A choked laugh escaped from Abbie’s mouth. “If you say so.” The words came out slightly breathless from her laughter, her expression skeptical. “It really is quite the blow to my ego, knowing I can’t even get coffee right.” Her smile dimmed slightly.

Had I really been that demanding and not noticed it?

Before I could say anything to reassure her, Claire, who’d been watching us intently, jumped in to steer the conversation in a new direction.

“Aiden, what have you put this poor woman through these last weeks? Abbie, seriously, you must be an angel. Where are you hiding the wings? I’m going to give you some super-embarrassing stories about my brother that you can use against him anytime he acts like an entitled jerk, okay?”

That seemed to shake Abbie out of whatever feeling had taken the light out of her eyes. Her smile appeared genuine again when she answered Claire.

“Sounds good. I’m all ears.”

Knowing my participation wasn’t needed, I sat back with my arms crossed across my chest, content for once to simply observe. My chest warmed, even with Claire airing my dirty laundry and Abbie listening with rapt attention.

The waitstaff had arrived shortly after Claire started to regale Abbie with the tales of our childhood mishaps. Abbie had not been exaggerating when she said she’d ordered what had been recommended.

Even over an hour later, the tabletop was covered in empty plates, water glasses, and coffee cups. The decadence of the food looked to have defeated the other three at the table. Even Heath, who had gamely eaten anything that Claire didn’t really enjoy, appeared slightly nauseous from too much dessert.

I had stuck to coffee,deliciousFrench coffee. I should order whatever they served here for the office. In bulk.

---