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She was so apologetic that I decided she was too pathetic to punish. What would be the fun in that? Also, the poor girl was clearly marrying a pauper and obviously had some career misfires, too, taking a lowly assistant job well into her thirties. While I wasn’t pleasedwith her professional faux pas from the day before, I’d let it go. But still, she was a very pretty girl. Magnificent, really. So even though I was relatively sure that Collin would never dabble with someone like her due to her station in life, and already being spoken for, I’d still have to keep an eye on the matter. He was a man, after all.
“It’s been taken care of, Syl. All is well,” I told her, refocusing my ire on Len Arthur and the agency instead. “Thanks for making the reservation.”
“No problem,” she said, with a sigh of relief. “I’ll let Collin know you’re here.”
Syl summoned Collin from behind closed doors, and when he appeared, I noticed a slight flutter in the pleats of his trousers when he laid eyes on me. No, no, I thought to myself. Syl would be no one to worry about at all.
“Hi, honey.” I kissed Collin effusively, knowing we had the whole floor’s attention, and away we went. “He’ll be back,” I said to Syl.
“Have fun.” She grinned. “Really good to meet you in person, Bea.”
“Likewise,” I said, giving her another gentle once-over with my eyes.
•••
I CLUCKED MYtongue at Collin when we were alone in the elevator. “So. Where did you find Syl?” I asked.
“Oh! Yeah, her résumé came through HR and, uh, she just seemed like a good fit after her interview. She’s a little green, but learns quickly, all things considered. I like her,” Collin said, watching himself in the mirror as he put on his aviators. Not his best look. He didn’t have the bone structure in his face to support a rounded frame.
“What did you think?” he asked.
“Seems sweet. She’s quite charming in person.Veryattractive.”
“Bea.”
“What? I’m just stating facts here.”
“I didn’t hire her because she’s hot.”
“Ididn’t say she was hot. You just did.”
“You’re a trip.” He laughed, putting his arms around my waist. “You know you’re the hottest girl in any room anywhere.” True.
“Well, you’re such a darling man, looking out for a girl like that,” I fraudulently commended him.
“A girl like what?”
“Just, you know, probably down on her luck a bit.”
“How so?”
“Isn’t she a little old to be your assistant?”
“What? No way. You should see my dad’s EA, Connie. She’s ancient. And great at her job.” I was surprised to hear someone like Mr.Case favored loyalty over legs. “Being an EA is a lot of work, sweetie,” Collin continued. “A different path than ours, but honorable just the same.” The Honorable Syl Austin. It was such a preposterously endearing proclamation from Collin that it just made me want to marry him even more.
Sweet men rarely sour.
The two of us walked into Hillstone and they rolled out the red carpet as per usual. Freshly poured Perrier for me. An ice-cold beer for Collin. The server awaited our order with bated breath. I was all ready to launch into a friendly trash-talking session about Len Arthur, but it quickly became apparent that Collin had his own agenda for our luncheon, holding my hand from across the table with a decidedly anxious energy. It felt like he was going to dump me or propose to me, but instead he brought up the subject of his family.
Excellent. Nearly four months in. Right on schedule. It was go time.
“Since we’re basically out in the open now, between Len and my friends, you know, I figured it was time to tell my family about you, and so I did. And they want to host us for brunch on Sunday. Are you free?”
“I am. That sounds great.” I sipped my sparkling water, keeping my composure, but I was squealing internally. Once I had Collin’s family on my side, a proposal would be on the horizon shortly. A Sunday brunch in Connecticut would progress to a country club golf outing in the coming weeks, all leading up to a soiree at one of the summer houses to celebrate our engagement.
I was that much closer to becoming Mrs.Case.
I could leave everybody else behind forever.
