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"Fine. Chloe then. She’s Ella’s friend… your daughter’s friend?" I nod and take a long, slow sip of my drink. Damien does the same.
"She pretended not to recognize me, but I know she does."
"Wow. Then she’s a smart one." He grins with a particular hint of mischief. "I love her already."
"Not smart enough apparently, because I noticed how she froze when she saw me."
"You’re toast, man," Damien says somberly. "You must have been a jerk in your previous life. That's why the universe is plotting against you."
"Shut up. Either help me brainstorm for a possible solution or leave me alone in my misery." I’m too bothered to be kinder to my closest friend. Thankfully, Damien understands.
"Fine, fine," he says as he pushes himself back onto the sofa and crosses his legs. "What do you want to do? Can you just avoid her from now on?"
I lace my fingers behind my head and lean back into the couch beside him. "I have no idea. I might have promised Ella that I’ll give her friend a job."
"What?"
"I didn’t know the friend was Chloe at that time. I was just trying to make it up to Ella for being such a garbage heap of a father. How was I supposed to know it would turn out like this?"
Damien looks at me with what passes for something like pity. "Damn, man. I’d hate to be in your position."
"I’m going to forget her. Better yet, I’ll pretend like I don’t remember her. She’ll either believe me or be so insulted that she keeps clear of me."
"You think you can do that?"
I nod silently. What choice do I have? I have to let her go. I wasn’t supposed to see her again in the first place. It was a one-time thing and it’s going to remain that way.
Damien grins at me. "Good… cause I want her."
"Don’t you dare," I spit out, trying to hold onto my last shreds of calm.
"Why not? You don’t want her anymore. So that means I can have her."
"She’s off-limits, that’s why."
"I don’t see how." Considering his bastard tendencies at seducing women, I know he’ll do anything to get her if I don’t make it clear that he can’t. He’s just that much of a player.
"She’s my assistant," I blurt out without thinking.
"Since when?" he demands. His playful expression disappears.
"Since now."
"You’re a shit. You know that, right?"
"Graciously so." I laugh and raise my glass to toast him before he storms off.
"Dad?It's been three days since Chloe’s interview but she hasn’t heard anything. Has something changed about the job?" Ella asks me over dinner.
"I don’t work with incompetent people. Before I hire anyone, HR has to do a good job vetting them. So let them do their job, okay," I say flatly, making sure there’s no room for further questions.
The truth is, Chloe is overqualified for the job, but I asked HR not to call her. I interviewed her personally and she answered all the questions correctly and confidently. I was surprised–pleasantly so–by her level of intelligence.
I was imposing in her interview, maybe even intimidating. But she didn’t even flinch or show signs of being scared, not even for a second. I’ve managed to completely ignore her every time she’s been here over the past week. Thank god, she does the same.
I notice the daggers Ella is shooting me, but I ignore her look. She starts to argue, but I squash it at once.
"Not a word, Ella. I said I’d help your friend and I’ve done my part. This is just business." I stand up and stride out of the dining table.
