Page 41 of Tell Me Something

I THOUGHT the deep plum Dianne Von Furstenberg wrap dress was appropriate and added a chunky necklace with matching suede pumps. DVF said sexy, feminine, and sassy all in one. I zipped up my suitcase and proceeded down to the lobby.

Josh was freshly dressed in a black pinstriped suit and stood off to the side, talking on the phone.

I could see his profile and felt a flutter in my belly that I’d been in the shower with this stunning man only an hour ago. He exuded authority and, with it, a sexual electricity that was beginning to occupy my every thought. Even with our newfound sexual, uh, accomplishment, if you will, I wondered what the status of our relationship would be going forward. It felt a little too soon to wonder if we’d start spending nights together. I supposed I needed to adopt a wait and see approach.

Walking toward him, I was rewarded with a double take and then a slow assessment as his eyes raked over my body. He ended the appraisal with a small smile when he finished up his call.

“Is that your fuck-you-I-knew-Chinese-all-along dress?” he teased.

I laughed in response. “I like that. Yes, it is.”

We walked out to the car. In the backseat, I felt his fingers find mine. “So what’s the game plan?”

He raised a brow. “I figured I’d leave you in the driver’s seat. I bought the company as of midnight last night. Perhaps you want to do the honors of the firing.”

I instantly felt sick to my stomach.

“Are you all right?”

I knew he would be disappointed, but the truth was that although I was angry at Ana and some of the others, actually ending their employment left me feeling guilty. I knew in my gut that people like Ana didn’t belong in a company influencing people. She was like a poison. But firing her still wasn’t something with which I was comfortable. And of course there was the fact that she was the owner’s daughter. “Yes, I’m fine, but I’m a little overwhelmed at that prospect, I guess.”

He seemed to buy that and went back to checking his email.

Looking out the window, I sat back and tried to get myself psyched up for this morning. “What time did you want to try to leave today? The flight is at three o’clock.” I was anxious to fly home.

“As soon as possible. I’d rather spend time in the lounge than one more minute in that office.”

I had to ask the obvious question. “Then why buy the company?”

“Because I know business, and at the end of the day, this one will be profitable. I have plans to grow it and the perfect man to put in charge. He’s looking to make a move from London to Hong Kong. Once I make sure he has an assistant who secretly knows Chinese, he’ll be good.”

I managed a forced smile. “Who, exactly, is being fired?”

“You tell me. Remember, driver’s seat.”

Biting my lip, I tried to remain objective. “Well, who are you letting go because of performance unrelated to what I overheard?”

“There are a few people, but I want for you to make your decision based on what you witnessed.”

“But what if they are a big asset to the company, and I—”

He cut me off. “I don’t care. I want them out.”

“Okay. I guess I would say Ana, Stan, and Charlie.”

He nodded, clearly not surprised.

We made our way up the elevator, and I felt jittery, wishing I’d had breakfast before going in. Obviously, sex had muddled my priorities this morning.

As soon as we were off the elevator, Ana greeted us. “Mr. Singer, Haylee, everyone is gathering in the conference room for the news.” Clearly, she was aware of the logistics of the sale.

Josh gave her a curt nod. “Lead the way.”

Just like that, we were thrust in front of fifty people. Standing to the side, I admired the way that Josh could command a room by simply entering it.

He offered a small smile that didn’t meet his eyes. “As I’m sure some of you are already aware, Gamble Advertising has purchased your company as of yesterday evening. My HR director and my regional vice president will be traveling over in the next couple of weeks with details regarding what this will mean to you each individually. Obviously, you can expect some changes, but I’m excited to work together to expand your Asia Pacific reach and to grow your foothold in this region.

“I want to thank Tom for his many years of leadership and hard work in founding this company and taking it to the point it is today. I also want to thank Ken for his guidance and hospitality in bringing me here. I welcome you to the Gamble Advertising family. Haylee, how do you say that in Cantonese?”