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“You stopped talking, and you were obviously thinking about something, because you were smiling.”
Anne’s face heated all the way up to her forehead. “I was probably thinking about my girls coming to visit. They’ll be here in three weeks.”
“Emily and Charlotte, right?”
“How do you know their names?”
“You put it on your resume.” He took another bite of the pot roast.”
“I forgot I’d done that. My girls told me that was a no-no, after the fact.”
“I thought it was interesting. Most applicants don’t put their children’s names on their resumes. But then again, the others probably didn’t have any kids.”
“My daughters are evidence of some of my very best work. I couldn’t leave them off my resume. And besides, I think family and children are the most important things in life.”
His face suddenly clouded, and he pushed his food away. “We have work to do.”
“Of course.” Anne gathered up the boxes and cleared the desk. “Let me grab my laptop.”
She hurried to her desk, hating how her words had stirred up hurt in his eyes. Her heart went out to the man who for just a moment had looked like a small, lost boy. Had he once longed for children of his own? It was one more indication that he needed a younger bride. It wasn’t too late for him to have the family he’d missed all these years.
Katie returned from her fitting that afternoon and pulled Anne away from her PowerPoint project. “I just remembered I haven’t explained one of your most important jobs.” Katie lowered her voice though no one else was in the room. “You’re responsible for arranging a female escort for Mr. Gherring for every formal event.”
“Escort? Do you mean a call girl?”
Katie laughed at Anne. “Call girl? I forgot you’re from the sticks. I’m talking about an escort, not a prostitute. We usually arrange it through a publicist.”
She handed Anne a business card. “The contact is Charles Cooper. He handles publicity for many up-and-coming artists, performers, models, actresses, and businesswomen who need name recognition. Being seen at a function with Steven Gherring guarantees a write-up in the social columns and pictures in all the popular social media. In return, Mr. Gherring avoids having any social obligations beyond the event.”
Katie continued. “Mr. Cooper knows the qualities Mr. Gherring requires in an escort. He likes attractive women in their twenties and thirties, preferably tall and able to carry on a decent conversation. And he never takes the same woman to another event.”
“But why doesn’t Mr. Gherring get his own dates for these events? Surely he wouldn’t have any trouble finding someone who’d like to go with him, so he wouldn’t have to go with a complete stranger.”
“That’s the problem. In the past, he’s had terrible drama after only one date with a girl. Some women are desperate to marry him, and a lot of them are only attracted to his money and celebrity status. So he makes it a point never to be seen with any woman more than once. That’s why he has a reputation as a player, but in reality, he rarely dates anyone.”
“But that’s terrible. How will he ever find the right girl if he won’t even take someone on a real date? There could be someone right here at Gherring Inc. who’d make him really happy, and he’d never know.” Anne grabbed Katie’s arm. “And not every girl out there would only be interested in him because he’s rich. Some people don’t care about money. And he’s a nice-looking man, especially for his age. Don’t you think?”
Katie remained silent, her lips pressed together. Anne followed Katie’s wide-eyed gaze to find Steven Gherring standing a few feet away, obviously intent on the conversation.
“I think I’m old enough to make my own decisions about whom I will and will not date. I’ll thank both of you to stay out of my personal life and never discuss it again.” Gherring turned his back on the pair and returned to his private office, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
Anne looked warily at Katie, who let out a low whistle. “Call the number on this card and have Mr. Cooper arrange for Mr. Gherring’s date to the International Business Gala next Friday. Dress is formal, as you know. We’ve been so busy working on all the details of the reception I almost forgot to arrange for his escort.”
“Do you think I should go apologize?” Anne asked, inclining her head toward Gherring’s office.
Katie shook her head. “No, I think anything we say would make it worse. He’ll forget eventually. Just do your job, and try to stay out of his personal life. And,” Katie warned with a serious look, “don’t ever gossip about Mr. Gherring. You absolutely cannot share any details about anything he says or does, business or personal. It’s very important to protect his privacy.”
“Of course,” Anne said, wondering how she could find a match for Mr. Gherring while staying out of his personal life.
I have to find a way…
Monsieur
Monday morning, Anne breathed a sigh of relief as she made it to her work desk without incident. No slips or falls on the way to work. This time, she wore her running shoes until she made it to her desk to change into her shiny spike-heeled pumps. She had a few strange looks on the elevator because of her footwear, but she knew she was really protecting those critics from imminent disaster by postponing the change to her awkward dress shoes.
&nbs
p; Slipping into her heels and stashing her running shoes in her oversized handbag, Anne glanced at the clock on her computer. Only seven fifteen. She was really proud of herself. She started checking messages and emails, knowing she needed to finalize the plans for the gala on Friday night. Her first big event. She was glad Katie was still helping her. She felt the pressure to make everything perfect.
