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My smile gets bigger when she mentions my daughter. “ She great. Once I get home, we are having a pizza and movie night.”
She laughs. “I miss those days when they were still little and innocent. Now my son, mind you, is grown and on his own, taking over the world one hotel at a time.” She sighs, and I swear I just heard her wrong.
“Your son is Evan Bradford?” I whisper out because she didn’t mention who her son was before. I would never have known, and since they don't use the same last name, it didn't register with me.
She beams a smile. “He sure is, dear. I just don’t tell people who I’m interviewing. I don’t want them to feel more nervous than they already are. You will be working for him. Now, don't let his perpetual bad mood scare you away. He really is a good guy under all that and. That's why I know you would be perfect for him; I mean, perfect for the job.” I don’t miss that slip-up and the gleam in her eye but choose to ignore that as a man isn't even on my radar at the moment, not that I even have time for that. Being less lonely would be nice, but he would have to be someone special who loves kids because my daughter will always come first no matter what, so until then, I will stay single.
“Well, dear, I’ll let you get back to your baby girl, who I hope you will bring with you one day so I can meet her. I will see you on Monday. Just come to my office at nine, and I will take you on a tour of the office and introduce you to everyone.” She gets up and comes around, wrapping her arms around me, surprising me. My eyes sting with tears. The motherly hug was something I never got growing up. “Welcome to the Bradford family, Alyssa.” She whispers in my ear.
“Thank you, Mrs. Harper, for everything. I will see you on Monday.” I’m just about to walk out the door when it's opened by the hottest man I’ve ever seen. He has to be 6 foot 2, with golden-brown eyes, dark brown hair that's shorter on the sides and gelled on top, but you can tell he's run his hands through it already this morning. He looks at me, making my skin raise with goosebumps with the heat I can see in his eyes, and that's my cue to get out of here. No need to be lusting after him, whoever he is.
Breaking eye contact with him, I gather my purse and turn toward Mrs. Harper. “I’ll see you on Monday.” I give them both a smile and see that he's still tracking my every move, not saying anything. Just as I'm about to head to the elevator, I can hear him say.
“Who’s that, Mom?” His voice is sin, making shivers race up and down my back. And holy shit, that's Mr. Bradford, my new boss.
“That, my dear boy, is Alyssa Edwards, your new Personal Assistant.” You can hear the glee in her voice. I think I have to be careful around her or she will have us married by the end of the month.
“Fuck me,” is growled out, followed by his mom's laughter. Something is telling me I'm in trouble where Mr. Bradford is concerned, and I'm going to have to keep him at arm's length if I plan on getting any work done. I need this job more than I need a man, I whisper under my breath as I get on the elevator. Maybe if I keep saying it enough, I’ll believe it.
Two
Silence is golden. Unless you have kids. Then silence is suspicious.
I’mawakeearlierthanI need to be way too nervous to sleep. I was trying to find the perfect outfit for my first day, and I settled on another black pencil skirt, a pink blouse, and my black heels. Adding a light amount of makeup and putting my hair up in an intricate bun. Which took way too long to accomplish. Pinterest made that shit look easier than it was. Pulling back, I look at myself in the mirror, trying not to pick apart the things I find lacking. I still have the added weight from having Savannah. It honestly didn’t help that when I was pregnant, I would get up from a dead sleep at 3 am every night just to have a peanut butter sandwich and I don’t even really like it. I'm 5 foot nothing with long brown hair, honey brown eyes, and a size 16 curvy body.
I know I look good, but it doesn't mean I'm not self-conscious as well. Shaking my head out of my thoughts, I walk toward the kitchen to make a coffee. Hopefully, I can finish it hot before Savannah gets up. I made her lunch last night so that I could be prepared for today. After I drop her off at school, I will start my new job, and to say I'm nervous would be a lie. I don't think I’ve let it sink in entirely that I got the job. A job that will better Savannah and my lives. I will now be able to save for a new car since mine is so old and on its last leg. I drain the last of my coffee just as Savannah runs into the kitchen, dressed and ready for school, making me smile. My baby girl loves school, and I never have problems with getting her ready in the morning. Even as a baby, she was so advanced for her age. At six months, she had all her teeth. Before a year was up, she was walking. After reading so many stories online, I dreaded potting training, but all it took was a handmade calendar, some star sticker, and my baby was potty trained by day two with just one accident. She is my rising star, and whatever she wants to do and be in life, I know she will make it happen.
She runs over and gives me a big hug. “Good morning Momma. Can I have some pancakes, please?”
“Good morning Savannah. You sure can. Why don't you go watch some cartoons, and I’ll get them made.” If she could eat pancakes every day, she would. Yet she hates syrup on them. If I stop and think about it, she honestly doesn't care for anything too sweet. She is the opposite of me because I love my sweets.
I go about making her breakfast for one since I'm too nervous to eat anything, but I make myself another coffee; that is one thing I live on. Especially all those late-night feedings. It was my saving grace. I plate her food and set it on the table, along with her milk. “Foods ready, baby.”
She comes running over. She looks so cute in her outfit today, leggings with a light pink sweater. My baby is such a little diva and loves to dress up whenever she can. Wanting to get her nails painted any chance she gets. When Tessa and Mia come over, they do her hair for her or take her to their salon that they own, and she's in little girl heaven. “Thanks, momma.”
She digs into her food while I get her backpack ready. We have to leave soon if I want to get there on time. I’m hoping today runs smoothly, and Mr. Bradford doesn't find me lacking and lets me go. Savannah finishes her breakfast and runs to the bathroom to brush her teeth. I gather all our stuff as she comes back with her shoes on.
“Ready to go to school?” I open the front door for her and walk out, locking up.
We walk towards my car, and I make sure she's buckled in. “Ready. Today we are going to be doing art.” Which means she's coming home covered in sparkles; the more sparkles, the better, in her opinion. I get in and start the car, pulling away and heading towards the school, which is just down the road.
“That's good, baby. Don't forget that Aunty Tessa is going to come to get you after school today. Momma is starting her new job today.” I pull into the school parking lot, thanking the parking gods it isn't full yet. We get out, and I make sure I grab her bag.
“Aunty Tessa said she was going to do my hair and nails today. Have a good day, momma. I love you.” She wraps her arms around me.
“I love you too, baby. Have a good day, and I’ll see you when I get home.” As she runs over to her friends, I wave to her teacher and get back into my car and head for work. As I make the 20-minute drive to work, butterflies running rampant in my stomach.
I pull in and park in the employee parking spot, the one assigned to me, and just sit there and breathe. Giving myself a moment to let it all sink in, I’m brought out of my internal pep talk by a knock on my window, scaring the absolute shit out of me and making me scream. I turn my head to find a very amused Mr. Bradford looking at me. Oh, kill me now. The day hasn't even begun yet, and I just made an ass out of myself. Grabbing my purse I open my door and look up at him as I get out, and he's just as hot as the first time I saw him, making my knees feel weak. I shake my head out of those thoughts because I won't be going down that road, no matter how much he makes my heart race.
“I'm sorry for scaring you, Ms. Edwards. Since I saw you sitting in your car I came to introduce myself since I didn’t get the chance to before.” He has the most beautiful smile on his face, making his dimples pop out, and sticks out his hand for me to shake.
“It's okay, and it is nice to meet you, Mr. Bradford. You can call me Alyssa. I look forward to working with you.” I stick my hand in his, and it's as if an electrical current runs throughout my body, making me suck in a breath, and I hear him curse under his breath, so I know he must have felt it as well. They turn heated when I look into his eyes. I'm brought out of whatever this is by a car honking its horn, and I pull back my hand from his. He looks at me and I can feel the blush on my face.
“Well, I better get inside. I have a meeting with Mrs. Harper, and I can't be late on my first day.” My laugh is hollow even to my own ears at this awkward exchange that I don't have the time to pick apart. As I walk away, I can feel his eyes tracking my every move as I make my way to the elevator. Once I get inside, I see he's still in the same place I left him, and right before the door closes, his words wake up parts of me I thought were long since dead.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with you, Alyssa. I will see you later.” He growls out, and it sounds like more of a promise, and I'm not sure why that excites me so much.
***
