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“Larry from Accounting.”

Gabriel knew Larry andmade a note to get Trudy to send him to his office. He liked to take care ofmembers of his staff, especially those who raised concerns. It was Larry thatalerted him to George’s associations. Larry had overheard one of hisconversations with Gabriel’s dad and put two and two together.

He would make sure Larrygot to take his wife on that anniversary dinner. The man was in his latefifties, had five children, and still loved his wife, who was his childhood sweetheart.He got the full story and Larry was a good guy. Never once strayed from hismarriage. Nor had his wife. They were good people.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Larry doesn’t need to befired,” she said.

He looked at her andfrowned. “You think I’m going to fire Larry?”

“That’s what it means bytaking care of it, doesn’t it?”

“No,” he said, laughing.“I’m going to make sure Larry gets my table, and he can take his wife for thatanniversary dinner.”

“Oh,” Nora said.

Her cheeks turned adelightful shade of red. She was adorable and sexy.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Please don’t worry aboutit. I am sure there are a lot of people who think the worst of me.”

She winced. “It’s justthat you have a reputation for not taking fools gladly.”

“I know.”

“And you fired Clarice.”

“I fire those who do notdeserve the job they have been given, Nora. I’m not a tyrant. Those who wish tokeep their job, can. I’m a fair man.” He gives people plenty of opportunitiesto either prove themselves or fail. It was not his responsibility to see theysucceeded. That was on them.

“Now, what would you liketo eat?” he asked.

ChapterThree

One Week Later

Nora couldn’t believe shewas standing in Gabriel’s office, helping him pick out a suit. They all lookedthe same to her.

In fact, ever since shehad spilled coffee on herself and taken a tumble on the boss himself, her lifehad changed a lot. In the last seven nights, she had not eaten at home. Itwould seem she and Gabriel tended to stay behind a lot.

She was getting caught upon work, as her boss had just decided to quit, and Nora had considered goingforward with the promotion. She was the only one on the floor qualified to takeon the role.

Trudy had conducted theinterview and told her she had the job. This included a slight pay raise, andshe had to come in early. It didn’t matter to her. She was already in early andleaving late.

Three staff had quit, asthey didn’t like the task of sorting and delivering mail. She still had todeliver all mail to Trudy for Gabriel.

Each night, Gabriel wouldappear while she was catching up and preparing for the next day. He’d help her,and then they would go out to dinner. Six of the seven nights, they went tothat Italian restaurant which served the most amazing meatballs, pizza, andcarbonara. She was in Heaven. One night they went to a French restaurant, asGabriel had given his table to Larry and his wife. That man had a soft side.Not many people were going to see it, but it was there.

Now, she was in his officeat lunchtime. Trudy was out doing another errand, and he wanted her help inpicking out a suit. They all looked the same and fit him perfectly.

She didn’t need to stand theredrooling at her boss—or her friend. Nora didn’t know if she could call him afriend yet. It seemed so familiar. Still, it had only been one week.

“Well, the blue or theblack?”

The blue was so dark itlooked black.

“The blue?” she asked.

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