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In many ways, that horrible night back in Vegas had been the best thing that ever happened to me. After the woman ripped my heart out, it put me on the right path. I wasn’t meant to be involved with a woman. There was no way in hell I wanted to deal with drama. So, I married my work, and now I was one of the richest men in San Francisco at the age of thirty-three. My job was my life. It afforded me all the perks I needed. I got laid when I wanted to. I dated when I felt like it. I didn’t have to answer to anyone.
“Jon.”
Except Mrs. Mabel. “Yes, Mrs. Mabel,” I spoke into the intercom.
Instead of answering, my assistant came through the door. The woman was old enough to be my grandmother. She had worked for me for the last ten years. She had been my father’s secretary for decades. When he passed, I took her on. She was a part of the family and there was no way we could lose her. The company had been in disarray the weeks and months following my father’s unexpected death. It had been Mrs. Mabel that kept it together. I owed her everything.
“Drink this,” she ordered and put a bottle of water in front of me. “You don’t drink enough water. You have to drink plenty of water.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She was always trying to take care of me. “Have you found my replacement?”
“There is no replacing you,” I replied.
“Oh, poo.” She waved a hand.
She walked around my desk and started tidying it up with me still sitting at it. She tossed the candy wrapper in the trash along with the empty coffee cup.
“I’ll find someone,” I assured her. “We’ve got the word out. I was hoping to find someone within the company I could just move to your desk. Any idea who might be a good fit?”
“There’s that pretty little gal that works in accounting,” she suggested.
I shook my head. I knew exactly who she was talking about. Sarah. Sarah had talons that she was hoping to sink into a rich guy to take care of her. She was sex on a stick, but I wasn’t touching her. It was a strict rule I had. Originally, the rule had been my father’s and I was forced to follow it. But it was a good rule. Sleeping with subordinates was too risky.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said.
“You don’t actually have to sleep with her,” she chided. “Use your words. Say no.”
“I can’t have that kind of temptation,” I said.
She put a hand on her hip. “Your father and I always had a strictly professional relationship. I know it might not look like it now, but I was a hot little thing back in the day.”
I laughed at the idea of the little white-haired lady being a hot little thing. She slapped my arm. “Sorry, I’m sure you were very pretty.”
“At some point you have to look beyond beauty and hire someone for their skills,” she lectured.
“I know. I am. There are two pre-interviews set up. I’m not wasting my time interviewing anyone if they don’t get past the first one. I don’t want to waste time. I want the best of the best. Even then, they will never be you. I’m pretty bummed you’re leaving me. I get why, and I want you to retire and have lots of fun, but I’m going to miss you around here.”
“Yes, I know you will,” she said. “I’ve already started on a list of things my replacement will need to remember.”
“Like?”
“Like you need to drink more water and eat less junk food.” She picked up another candy wrapper and shook it at me before tossing it in the trash. “You need to work less. The person who replaces me needs to push you out of the office on Fridays like I do. In fact, I think Sarah is perfect. You need someone young and vibrant to spice up your life.”
“My life is plenty spicy,” I assured her. “I don’t need anyone young and vibrant.”
“You need to smile more.” She collected the marketing paperwork. “Life is precious. You need to laugh more. A young, exciting woman would keep you on your toes.”
“You sound like you’re filling out a dating profile,” I said, laughing. “I don’t need a friend or a lover that works for me. You know that complicates things.”
“I don’t know,” she said, shrugging. “It might not be a terrible thing.”
“I’m good.”
“Alright,” she said with a shake of her head. “Your father wouldn’t want you to work so much. I know your mother would love some grandchildren.”
“Not from these loins.”
