Page 117 of Dangerous as Sin

The toilet flushed. Vivian exited the stall and washed her hands.

“Just tell me,” Tiera pleaded. “I already know whatever it is, it’s going to make me mad. So, let’s get it over with.

“You know it’s bad form to get angry at a pregnant woman. It could affect the development of the child.”

“Just tell me, please, before I go crazy.”

“Okay.” Vivian sighed, pushing a strand of her curly black hair behind her ear. “Your brother is away on business. He’ll be gone for about two weeks. My doctor has suggested I go on bed rest, so I’ll be staying with my mom while Terrence is away.”

“Oh, no. Are you having complications?”

Vivian shook her head. “Not really. It’s just a precaution. We’ve already had one misc….” Vivian paused.

“It’s okay. I understand.”

Vivian took a deep breath, released it slowly, then said, “Your mom and Mrs. Fitzgerald will go on their annual cruise tomorrow. They’ll be gone for two weeks. That leaves no one to keep Caleb in check while Terrence is away.”

Tiera rolled her eyes. “Caleb is a grown-ass man. He doesn’t need a babysitter.”

“Actually, he does. I know you’ve seen the bad press about him.”

“You mean those photos that were taken out of context?”

“Yes.”

“They’re just photos. Terrence told me the truth about them. And you all issued a statement soon after they surfaced. That should’ve handled it, right?”

“Wrong. Someone is spreading lies about Caleb all over the internet and social media. Companies are starting to pull out of our projects. They don’t want to be associated with the negative press.”

“Oh, wow!” Tiera hadn’t known it was that big of a deal. “I understand. But, what does that have to do with this family get-together?”

“Well, I thought if I fed you and pumped you with wine, you would agree to help me keep an eye on Caleb.”

“You could pump me with all the food and wine in the world, and I still wouldn’t agree to that.”

“Come on, Tiera!”

“Even if I were to agree with it, Caleb wouldn’t. And how could I keep an eye on him? I can’t be with him day and night. Neither do I want to.”

“You don’t have to be with him day and night. But I do need you to be with him during work hours. His secretary quit.”

“Wait. Another one?”

“Yes. She was the second one in the past three months.”

“How long did this one last?” Tiera asked.

“Two months.”

“Oh. Well, she came the closest to breaking Mrs. James’ record of six months. I actually liked Mrs. James. She didn’t take Caleb’s bullshit.”

“I liked her too,” Vivian confessed. “I hate that her husband was offered a job in a different state, and they had to move. She was the perfect secretary. The latest secretary didn’t even put in a two-weeks-notice. She left for lunch and didn’t come back.”

Tiera burst out laughing.

“It’s not funny,” Vivian said, but even she was smiling.

“I’m sorry. But Caleb is a dick. It’ll take a special person to be his secretary.”

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