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“And Billy hasn’t come down to make sure you’re doing okay?” He clicked his tongue. “That boy’s forgotten his manners.”
“No, no, I wouldn’t dream of bothering him. I was just grateful to have gotten such a good job.”
“What is it you do?”
“Assistant to the Media Relations Director.”
“Oh you’re working for Sandy. She’s tough but she’s fair,” he told her.
The doors slid open on her floor and Amanda nearly flew out. “Thank you, sir!”
“Welcome to Forlanie, Amanda!” he called as the doors closed.
She passed Sandy as she entered the office.
“You’re red as a beet.”
“I just mistook Bill Sr. for Bill Jr.”
“How did you manage that?”
“I’d never met the son, just talked to him on the phone.”
Sandy laughed too. “I bet that tickled him.”
“I’m so embarrassed.”
“Oh don’t be. He’s a good guy. They both are.”
Amanda took that assessment to heart as she got back to work. Everyone here was nice. She was so grateful to have this job, and embarrassed or not, she was glad she’d had a chance to thank at least one of the McConnells.
About three-thirty, as she was winding down on the report she was preparing, there was a knock at the door. “C’mon in,” she called.
A man stuck his head in. Hello?”
She was glad she was sitting down because this guy was so handsome he made her feel all wobbly. He was in shirtsleeves, and had discarded his tie, so she knew he worked in the building and wasn’t a member of the media coming to beg for some inside info. She liked the way his fair hair fell down over one pale green eye.
She had to stop thinking about the way he looked! She stood up without incident. “Hi. I’m Amanda Jensen. How can I help you?”
He was grinning widely. “Amanda, it’s good to meet you at last.”
“Even if he hadn’t said that, once she heard him speak a full sentence she knew that she was talking to Bill McConnell. Her Bill McConnell with the dark, buttery voice.
“Hi! What are you doing down here?”
“I came to say hello and welcome. My father gave me hell for not having done it before this, but I wanted to let you settle in first. How are you liking it?”
“I’m loving it,” she said with complete candor. “Would you like to sit down?”
“Yes, thanks.” He sat down on the sofa and Amanda wondered if she should sit in the chair or beside him. What was the protocol with the big boss? She opted for the opposite end of the sofa.
“Everyone is so nice here,” she told him. “I appreciate the opportunity.”
“I’m so glad we could give it.”
There was an awkward silence, and then they both began to talk at once. It was so odd being in the same room with him. He was so not what she had pictured, having mistaken a photo of his father for one of him. But beyond that, he was so incredibly handsome, friendly, down-to-earth, and yet there was something about him that gave her the sense that he was a chancy man to cross, that his modesty was a natural effect of his strength. Strong people, those who were truly strong, had nothing at all to prove.
Once they covered the basics, how are you settling in? Any questions? Do you need anything? The conversation began to drift back into their familiar patterns. They talked about the company, and then about some of the properties that Amanda was working on. From there, they moved to travel in general, and Bill told her some funny travel stories.
