Page 6 of Midnight & Mergers
“Okay, fair. But what about this? It says you may alter my work schedule to suit your needs. I thought this was an executive administrative position, not a personal assistant.”
“That’s in there because you will accompany me to set up some of the gala events. I may need you after hours for food tastings. It’s hard to plan the menu we will serve without sampling it first. And I’d like to ensure the chosen venues have appropriate decor. For instance, I host an autism awareness event yearly, and I’d want to ensure that the venue uses splashes of blue in the decor for such an event. Look, Teagan, I assure you this contract is nothing out of the ordinary. But if it makes you feel better, have your lawyer look this over, and you and I can discuss the contract over an early dinner today. I’ll have my car pick you up around 4. Consider this a welcome aboard dinner. Oh, and wear a cocktail dress. I’ll be taking you to my favorite place—L’appart.”
His eyes seemed to twinkle. Or was there a glow of silver around the pupil? She tried to get a better look, but her sightline to his gaze became blocked as he casually peered at his watch. He looked up again, and his eyes pierced hers. They were now both a light blue. The silver was a distant memory, but they were still mesmerizing and playful with her as they flicked from her gaze towards her lips. Her legs buckled at the mischievous glint in them. “Teagan, I must get back to my meeting. I’ll risk a double booking if I run over my time with Mr. Jameson. Please bump my 1 pm to 1:30, and I’ll meet you at the restaurant. The reservation is under Brooks Bradley. I’ll be there by 4:15-4:30 at the latest.”
Teagan opened her mouth, but before anything came out, he was already back in his office, apologizing to the business executives there. She blinked a couple of times before Anne came up to her.
“Come with me, and I will show you to your desk so you can shift his appointments around.” Her smile was bright and beaming as she gestured for Teagan to follow her.
“Is he always like that?” Teagan tried to bite her lip to stifle all the verbal diarrhea that was about to slip through them if she wasn’t careful. But clearly, it was already too late.
Usually, she could keep her feelings of annoyance to herself, but this man was getting the best of her—and not in a good way.
Standard clause, my ass! How can he think arrogance will get him everywhere in life?
Anne formed a half-smile on her lips before answering.
“I like you, Teagan, so I’m only going to warn you about our Mr. Perpetual Bachelor Boss. Keep things strictly professional with him, or you’ll risk getting hurt. I’m not telling you what to do with your love life—please don’t misunderstand. It’s just? I’ve known him for years, and he’s not the type to settle for anything. That, unfortunately, includes women as well.”
Teagan narrowed her eyes.
“So, I was right to question all that nonsense with theChristmas Clausein my contract? Because seriously? The only merging that guy will do in my presence will involve companies he’s planning on purchasing.” She didn’t want to stress the emphasis on the contract, but at this point, she felt she had no choice.
Anne shrugged her shoulders.
“That part is more of a bit of company policy than anything else. But hey, just be careful. Brooks’s type is very gorgeous and flirtatious. And that usually spells a disaster for most of the young women in his life.”
“So, what makes you stay?”
Teagan searched Anne’s eyes for an answer. They were a brilliant green. The corners of her eyes were dotted with dark circles that almost seemed painted over her fawn complexion. A hint of crow’s feet was faintly forming around them, signifying the wisdom behind her advice.
“He reminds me of my boys when they were his age. They are all in their late thirties, successful, married, and have blessed me with enough grandchildren to keep me busy for the next decade. I worry about Brooks, though, more so than I ever did with my children. He’s got a great heart but holds it close to his chest, which can make him—” She swallowed before continuing. “cold—would be the best word for it. Teagan he’s not exactly the easiest boss to deal with at times. Once you get past his façade, he’s seriously misunderstood, and he’s got a great heart and would do anything for his employees. I’ve been lucky enough to witness that firsthand.” She smiled again and shifted her eyes towards the door.
Teagan let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding in.
“So what you’re saying is—I’m in for a hell of a bumpy ride when it comes to his cold, dead heart?”
Anne smiled again as they entered the room. The desk, a rich mahogany, was facing the hallway, but the office’s back wall was a floor-to-ceiling window with the backdrop of the New York City skyline. The walls were a deep rich hunter-green. Each wall opposite the large desk in the middle of the room flanked bookcases that were a deep mahogany brown that matched the desk.
The colors reminded Teagan of a cigar-smoking room. She figured Mr. Brooks Bradley had a say in the decor. But despite the dark tones of the rooms, it was a gorgeous upscale office that anyone would die for. The decor screamed, making it big. The only thing missing was that it wasn’t the corner office, but it was damned close because the corner office was Brooks’s. And oddly, only her and Brooks’s office were on this side of the floor. That excited and terrified Teagan simultaneously because she’d have privacy from other staff members so she could focus on her work. But that also meant Brooks had the easiest access to her and could bug her whenever he wanted. The thought of him micromanaging her made her skin crawl. Her office and Jeremy’s had the same setup when she worked with him. Back then, she didn’t mind because they were happy. But Brooks wasn’t Jeremy, and she was hoping to avoid the claustrophobic feelings with this new job.
“Honestly, Teagan, he’s really not a bad guy. And for fear of having to tuck tail and run from this conversation—let’s just say I’m here to make sure he keeps his humanity intact when it comes to his nasty side.” She smiled again, only this time it seemed warmer. She then patted Teagan’s shoulder before pulling a large calendar from the desk’s middle drawer. Anne’s touch was just as friendly as her smile, allowing Teagan to feel more relaxed about her decision.
She knew her next job after Jeremy would not be easy, and she also knew she would not find something she’d want to do for the rest of her life. But Anne seemed to comfort her trepidations about this weirdChristmas Clausearrangement enough that Teagan was willing to take this job for at least through the holidays. She could always find something better come January if she had to. If she could survive a cheater that drove her out of her home and fired her from her dream job, she could survive a boss with a calculating side to him.
Teagan put down her purse to fish out a pen. She then signed the contract and returned it to Anne.
Anne’s eyes widened slightly as Teagan handed over the contract.
“Are you sure you want to sign this now? Mr. Bradley explained that he’d go over your terms during dinner.”
“I’m confident we can make some addendums. That’s how these things work—right? I mean, that’s what I’m used to, anyway.”
Anne’s eyes narrowed slightly before answering.
“Are you sure?”
“I am. Besides, I really need this job. It’s so tough finding one so close to the holidays, and I’m sure I can handle Mr. Grumpypants. After all, my last boss was Mr. Lyingcheat, so anything else is a step up in the perfect employment ideals—if you ask me.”
