I shake my head. “I can just tell.”
She nods. “Well, be nice to Paige. Pretty please? She’s a cool lady, and if she goes to art galleries on her time off, that seems like a good fit to me.”
“No, Reese. A woman stumbling through a museum with some dickwad hanging on her and loudly declaring her affiliation with my company isn’t a good fit. Granted, the rotten date wasn’t her fault, but as for the rest...” I trail off, wondering why I bother.
She won’t get it.
So far, no one does, and I hate it.
Makes a man wonder if there’s something to his permanent stick-up-the-ass reputation after all, but now isn’t the time for reflection.
Reese’s face in the rearview mirror narrows, sucking her cheeks in.
“Bad fit. Right. Whatever.” She takes one hand off the wheel and stabs a finger back at me. “This is out of line, but here goes. Have you ever thought of being less of a judgmental prick? You forget I’ve seen you throw the shots back and nobody gets drunker than your brother.”
“Just drive,” I bite off.
It’d be easier to be less judgmental if I could get Paige’s weaponized grin out of my head. She enjoyed implying I serve purely at Grandma’s pleasure.
I should have told her it was only because her own grandmother knows her too well to hire her.
Shit. Why didn’t I think of it in time?
Oh well.
She’s about to regret the potshots she took in so many ways. If I can’t fire her, then I can make my new enemy’s life very, very interesting.
I pull out my phone to tap out an email.
To: Paige Holly
From: Ward Brandt
Subject: Marching Orders
Miss Holly,
I hope this email finds you sober so you’re up to the task at hand.
As you know, the big pitch with Ross Winthrope is coming up, and it’s critical. I’ll be sending you all the information for the bid presentation in another email. I’ll need you to organize it and start putting together a slideshow that will hold his attention.
When you’re done with that, you can catalog the other Winthrope properties for comparison. Be sure to leave no detail out. I’ll send you a catalog created for another client you can use as an example.
Also, please grab our coffee when you come in tomorrow. Grandmother and I drink black coffee or double shots of espresso, and Nick likes his mochas.
Thanks,
Ward Brandt
Senior Partner, Brandt Ideas Inc.
Reese pulls up to the curb in front of my building as my phone dings.
“Thanks,” I say to her and climb out of the car.
I tap on the screen to open the email and read it as I walk.
Mr. Brandt,
I would be happy to oblige but I’m kinda sloshed. I decided to unwind after a long day with—go ahead and guess—one devastating glass of wine.
However, that shouldn’t be a problem, seeing as you don’t own my personal time.
But I adore your grandmother, and I’ve never met Nick, so I’ll make sure their coffee is steaming hot and on their desks tomorrow morning.
Ciao,
Paige Holly
Executive Assistant, Brandt Ideas Inc.
I knew pain-in-the-ass is her state of being.
My teeth clamp together. Why the hell did Grandma insist on keeping this girl around?
My fingers go to war.
Miss Holly,
You’re not hourly. You’re salaried. That means you’re responsible for having all projects completed by their deadlines, no matter whose clock you’re punching to complete them.
I’ll enjoy our meeting with HR tomorrow with my double shot espresso.
Ward Brandt
Senior Partner, Brandt Ideas Inc.
I haven’t even made it into my penthouse when her next email comes in, my phone pinging like a restless hornet in my ear.
Mr. Brandt,
It’s a very good thing you have an EA to check your correspondence. You forgot to close your letter out with a proper goodbye. Oopsy doopsy.
When’s my deadline?
I look forward to our meeting with HR tomorrow too. Turns out, calling an employee names is considered harassment. I’m sure you didn’t know that, considering certain “allowances” are probably made for you.
No worries. Most employees aren’t fired without three strikes, but you probably didn’t know that, either. I’ve attached the applicable section of Illinois employment law for your bedtime reading. It’s absolutely riveting.
Night-night, Mr. Brandt. Always happy to be of service.
Not Yours,
Paige Holly
Executive Assistant, Brandt Ideas Inc.
I open her attachments, half expecting to find a malicious virus or a crudely drawn dick in MS Paint, but she’s literally attached a snippet from the state’s labor code.
She researches well and fast and it infuriates me.
Still, that could be an asset. She’s also lying about being sloshed, or else she’s a very functional drunk.
“Woman, you’re as annoying as hell, and you have a fucking lot of nerve,” I bark at the screen. Still, I have to answer the question.
Madame,
Your deadline is eight a.m. tomorrow. Sharp.
My EA will properly close this email and check for any mistakes like retaining you for this position.