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“Do you need a job?” Mr. Cannon asked. “I need an assistant.”
“Grandfather, Sammy goes to college,” Tyler told him. “She’s a cellist. She doesn’t want to be your assistant.”
“There’s no harm in asking, boy. How else can you get what you want?” his grandfather asked. “Let your friend answer for herself.”
“I do go to school, but I’m on summer break next month.” She should have stopped there, but she was going to have to look for a job. Playing weddings and other functions weren’t going to be enough to get by. Her grandparents couldn’t support her forever. “I need to get a job for the summer, but I don’t have anything lined up. I usually answer phones for my uncle, but he’s selling his mechanic shop, so that’s no longer an option.”
“Do you finish school every day at this time?” Mr. Cannon asked.
“Yes.”
“Angela, my assistant, was going to take a leave of absence this summer to help when her new grandchild came, but as you’ve heard, she had an emergency. I could make do with you being part-time until next month, and then if you like the position you could stay on through the summer. Are you interested?”
“Um...” She looked at Tyler.
“There’s no stopping him now, but don’t let him bully you.”
“Would you like to take some time to think about it?” Mr. Cannon asked. “I can give you an hour.”
“Grandfather, don’t pressure her.”
“No, I don’t need an hour.” Opportunities like this didn’t pop up often. She needed a job, and this particular one could open doors for her. “I’d like to try it.”
“Perfect,” Mr. Cannon said. “Tyler, take this girl to lunch and when you get back we’ll go over everything. I’ll set you up with HR.” He headed down the hall. “Talk to you in an hour.”
“What just happened?” Sammy asked.
“Jack Cannon,” Tyler said. “He has a way of making things happen before most even know what’s happening. It’s a gift.”
“The phone was ringing and I answered it,” she explained. “I wanted to help.”
“Are you sure this is what you want? This is an ad agency not an orchestra.”
“I do need a job, but if you don’t want me to work here I would understand. I guess I should have said I’d think about it and we could have discussed it.” She’d answered Mr. Cannon so fast, she hadn’t even thought about how Tyler would feel about her accepting a job there. Did he date employees? “It was a bad idea. I’m sorry. Can you tell your grandfather I made a mistake? I don’t want to upset him. He seemed so determined.”
“He’ll never back down now.” Tyler took her hand and led her to the elevator. “He’s got you in his sights, and so do I. It will be fun having you here.”
“You’re sure?” She wanted to be able to see him every day too. “It won’t be a problem for us? I mean, if we’re seeing one another.” She didn’t want to appear too needy. “Not that I’m trying to assume anything, but you said you wanted to see me.”
“I’m glad you think there is anus.” He smiled. “No, you’ll be my grandfather’s assistant. You won’t report to me. We’re fine.”
“Really?” The idea of seeing him on a regular basis filled her with excitement.
“Really.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Let’s get in this elevator so I can give you a proper kiss. Welcome to Cannon and Carrington.”
* * * *
AFEW DAYS LATER, SAMMYhad settled into her new position. She soon learned that Pierce Carrington, Jack Cannon’s partner, was retiring, and the Cannons had bought out his shares of the business. Pierce’s retirement would come with a name change for the company, and the office was buzzing with talk of a huge celebration at the end of the month to launch the new agency. In a couple of weeks, it would be known as Cannon Advertising.
Jack, as he insisted she call him, was demanding, and he wanted things when he wanted them, but Sammy liked the old man. He was charismatic and kind. She learned what he needed fast. On her way up to his office every afternoon, she made sure to stop at his favorite local coffee shop and pick up a latte for him. She only worked four hours a day, but in that time he kept her busy.
Tyler had been out of the office for the past two days, working on a new account. She hadn’t seen him much, but when she arrived home that night he called and asked if he could stop by. Excited for the opportunity to see him, she agreed, but now that he was at the door, her nerves had gotten the better of her. She’d never had a guy in her apartment before. He wasn’t any guy. He was a few years older than her and had dated models and society girls. She was hardly experienced when it came to sex. Had she inadvertently set up a booty call?Get over it!
“Hi,” she said as she opened the door.
“Hey.” When he entered her small apartment, she could smell the crisp scent of his soap. He’d abandoned his power suit for a pair of dark blue sweats and a long-sleeved, gray t-shirt.
“You look different.”
