“Are you sure you want to do this, Mandy?” her mother said. “Your sister’s wedding is only a few months away and she really needs you right now. Besides, I don’t think days of sitting down will do anything for your diet.”

She wanted to throw a pillow at her mom. Really? Not one ounce of encouragement or congratulations? Mandy gritted her teeth. “Just think of it this way; now that I’m making money, I can get them a better wedding present.”

Her mother still looked skeptical. “You had better get them a very nice present,” she said. “Stephen had to go through a lot of trouble to get you this job.”

Yes, because I can’t get anything on my own merit. That was probably why he recommended me. To get them a better wedding present. She doubted the dickhead actually had anything resembling a conscience which needed easing. “I will, Mom.” Mandy forced a smile as she packed the rest of her belongings in the last cardboard box and taped it shut.

It was eight o’clock at night, only a little less than six hours since she had been officially hired to work for Carl Salvo. This was the fastest move she had ever done, even faster than when she had moved out of her—excuse her, Stephen’s—apartment. Except now, she needed to get out of her parents’ basement before they drove her crazy or they discovered the stash of junk food she kept under the couch as she dealt with the worst wedding craze ever. She’d take her stuff to the new apartment which was, luckily, already available. Carl Salvo had raised his eyebrows when she had asked for the key, but he had given it to her without question. She planned to unload everything herself and sleep on the floor tonight.

Her mother sighed loudly for the umpteenth time that evening. “I really wish you had thought this through, dear.”

“I already have,” Mandy said. “Really. It’s a good decision, Mom. For all of us. This place will be good for me.”

“I just wish you had thought about your sister before going.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. Claudia was hardly dependent on her and she had her own life to live. Why the hell would she have to think about Claudia before every decision she made? She grinned. That was Stephen’s job now. “I’m going, Mom. Deal with it,” she snapped. She lifted the box up and walked through the open door and set the box on the grass beside her car. Her mom went off to sulk, leaving Mandy to move her own stuff, which was all right with her, even though it took twice as long and left her exhausted. At least the apartment came furnished.

As she slammed the trunk of her car shut, her father came out of the house. “Your mother’s crying inside,” he said, looking like he wanted to come with her. “You’re leaving?”

“I got a job, Dad,” she said. “It comes with its own apartment. I start tomorrow.”

He grinned and then pulled her in for a hug. “Congratulations, kiddo,” he said.

Mandy grinned, savoring his approval. “Thanks D—”

Just then his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at it. “It’s work,” he said. “Excuse me, Mandy. Good luck moving.” He answered the cell as he walked back to the house.

Mandy watched him go as she climbed into the driver’s seat and started her car.

Just like that, the only excitement that came from her family over her new job was over.

She pulled out of the drive determined to make this a new beginning for herself.

He inclined his head and then gestured her into the office. “Like I said on the phone yesterday, your resume was impressive.”

Mandy went in and sat down stiffly in the chair in front of the giant, but neatly organized, mahogany desk. So this was how it was going to be from now on. Aside from their informal meeting and talk on the phone, it was clear that Carl preferred his business relations strictly formal. That was fine by Mandy. She preferred to keep her distance.

“Shall we get to it then?” Carl sat down behind his massive desk in a chair that was unnecessarily big, even for his significant frame. He folded his hands over a leather binder. “Why should I hire you?”

Because I don’t want to live in my parents’ basement? “I have an outstanding work ethic,” Mandy said. “I’m not afraid of hard work, I’m efficient, overtime doesn’t scare me, and I’m overqualified for your job.” Was he smiling? She blinked and focused on what her qualifications were. “I’m beyond efficient with multitasking and time management – both yours and my own.”

“Most time management courses say that multitasking makes you inefficient with low quality work that takes too long.” He didn’t bat an eye.

Neither did she. “Those people are doing it wrong.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t say.” He shifted and undid the button on his suit jacket. “Why do you say that?”

“The trick is not to do two things simultaneously,” Mandy said, her mind imagining what she wanted to explain to him. “It is to do one while waiting for the other. For instance, if my computer is doing updates, I can be answering the phone, or organizing my materials to suit my schedule that day. For this to work, you need to switch all of your focus completely from one task to the other immediately.”

“What if the phone rings first?”

“Pardon?”

“What if you’re waiting for the phone to ring and while you are waiting you decided to update your computer?”

She stared at him. “You answer it. The computer can update by itself. All you have to do is click ‘ok’ when it’s done.” Was this some sort of trick question?

“Interesting,” Carl said, his face and body language giving away nothing. “Tell me, Ms. Connors, what was the crisis your sister was having?”

And now she would lose her chance at this job. Mandy sighed. “She needed to know about the invitations for the wedding.”

“What about them?”

“Whether or not they were sent out.”

“Were they?”

She shook her head.

“Your fault or hers?”

“Neither. Both, I guess. The guest list isn’t finalized and the stationary envelopes hadn’t arrived with the invitations. We’re still—”

“How did you find my secretary’s hospitality?” He nodded, leaving her completely baffled as to why he had even asked her the question.

“She was very courteous and professional,” Mandy replied without missing a beat.

“What was that about the stationary envelopes?”

“They haven’t arrived.”

“There’s an important file that is too big to be attached in an email, but I need it in an hour. How are you going to get it to me?”

“Bike messenger.”

“You’re going to bike?” He blinked as if surprised at his own comment. “Why not fax?”

“Because you don’t have a fax machine.” There! Take that! Kapow!

Mandy caught a trace of a smile on his face and returned with a small one of her own.

“You do know how to switch focus easily.” Carl leaned back against his chair. “At least in conversation. Your former bosses have done nothing but sing praises of your work ethic. Why did you leave your last job?”

Mandy pressed her lips together. She had left because Stephen was her former boss’s son. Except that would mean Carl Salvo would have to know that Stephen was her ex, and dating the boss’s son was definitely a professional no-no, not to mention it would make her look that much more pathetic. “There was a personal conflict between me and another employee. It’s been resolved, and I don’t intend to repeat it.”

Carl rested his arms on his chair, the trace of the smile gone. “Let me make myself clear, Ms. Connors. I value complete honesty from my employees more than anything else and if you think vague half-truths will make yourself look flawless, and will get you the job, then think again. I won’t ask you why again.”

Mandy took a deep breath. “Fine. I left because I had gotten into a relationship with my boss’s son. It didn’t feel right working at that company after that happened.”

Carl nodded. “How do I know that something like that would not happen again?”

“It didn’t end well. I’ll never make that mistake again.”

“What happened?”

“He got engaged to my sister.”

Carl’s eyes widened slightly and Mandy waited for the look of pity. She expected him to hurry her out of his office so he would never have to see or speak to her again. Instead his usual cool and enigmatic expression slid into place. He smiled and stood up. “I believe I have all the information I need,” he said.

Mandy stood as well and shook his hand.

“Thank you, Ms. Connors. Have a nice day.”

“Have a nice day, sir,” she said, her heart sinking.

He walked her to the door of his office and opened it for her. Mandy was halfway to the elevator when he called out, “Ms. Connors?”

She turned. “Yes, Mr. Salvo?”

“Be here tomorrow at six o’clock sharp. You don’t want to be late for your first day of work.” He shut the door, leaving Mandy in the lobby, her mouth hanging open in a very unprofessional manner.

being replaced with larger ranch-style homes set back against the road. She had assumed by the suite number on her new address it was an apartment building. She scratched her head as she stopped before a very large modern-style house that ended at the long, gated driveway in front of her. Mandy double-checked the address and the GPS.

Both were right. Unless this was some kind of terrible sick joke Stephen was pulling on her.

She clenched her jaw as she rolled down the car window and spoke into the intercom. “Hi. This is, uh, Mandy Connors. I’m, uh, moving in today.” Why did she sound like an idiot? At least the person controlling the gate wasn’t laughing at her. Or if they were, they had the decency to turn the mike off. She ran her tongue over her lips and checked her watch. Half past eight and the sun had disappeared. It had grown dark quickly, telling us Mandy that summer had given way to fall.

As she debated backing out of the driveway and returning to her parents’ place in defeat, the gates silently opened. “Thank you,” she mumbled as she closed her window and headed up the long drive.

She hadn’t taken a good look at the house before and now in the darkness, she couldn’t make out much more than the modern structure and what looked like a lot of windows. Not much was lit on the house except for a set of lights that led her to the large driveway and parking area with a fountain in the middle of it. She pulled her car into the last spot towards the iron gated backyard. Nothing was lit back there except for a sliver of the moon. She was pretty sure she saw a pool, but didn’t bother confirming what her eyes had a hard time seeing in the dark.

An older gentleman came out of the house by a door near where she had parked.

Mandy jumped out to get his attention. “Excuse me?”

He looked up, startled. “Sorry, ma’am. Ya’ gh-ave me a fright.” His thick Scottish accent couldn’t be missed.

“I’m looking for Suite number two?” She had no idea how else to explain it.

He smiled. “Oye! So yer tha new assistant fer Mr. Salvo. Welcome.” He held his hand out.

She shook his hand. “So I am at the right place. I was beginning to wonder. I’m Mandy Connors.”

“Nice ta meetchya! I’m Murray MacBane. The cook.” He gestured with his hand. “Come in, love. I’ll show ya to yer suite. Mr. Salvo mentioned you might be arriving tonight. I made ya a pie and put it in yer fridge jus’in case.”

“Thank you.” Her mother wouldn’t like this man, making Mandy pies and helping to fatten her up for the wedding. Mandy smiled. “I’m glad I ran into you.”

“Oye! I was jus’ leavin’! I’m glad too.” He led her through the iron gate to a door around back with the number two on it. “Here she be. I put the key I used in yer mailbox.” He smiled brightly at her, his hair looking silver under the light of the balcony above them.

“Thanks so much.”

He turned to go but paused and shifted her way again. “Do you need any help unloaden’ yer car?”

She smiled. “Thanks but I’ll be okay. I didn’t take much... for tonight. Just the basics.” Why did she feel embarrassed that everything she owned fit into her car?

“Good luck then missy!” Murray waved and headed back the way they had just come.

Mandy reached for the door and turned the knob. It was locked. She pulled the key Carl had given her out of her purse. Mr. Salvo. She needed to make sure she called him that. Apparently everyone else did.

Unlocking the door she stepped inside, lights automatically switching on. Her mouth fell open. Simple grays, whites and creams furnished the massive apartment. Just from the door, Mandy had full view of the open concept space. It had to easily be two thousand square feet—and that was just the kitchen-living area. A slightly opened door showed a bedroom. Mandy started laughing. What did Mr. Salvowant her to do? Whatever it was, she didn’t care, she’d do it!

Slipping her shoes off, she ran across the hardwood floor and twirled in the living room. So much space! She’d bloody work for free just to live here! She ran her hand over the granite counter and then opened the fridge, curious about the pie Murray had been talking about.

Inside the stainless steel, double-door fridge was a small type of meat pie and a bottle of white wine. Perfect! She turned the oven on to reheat the pie and pulled a wine glass off the rack that hung beside the fridge. Salvowasn’t kidding when he said the place was furnished!

Pouring a glass of wine, she raised it in cheers to herself and the room.

“The bedroom!” She set the glass on the counter and hurried to check it out. Inside was a king size bed and a walk-in closet that was the same size as her room in her parents’ basement. An ensuite bathroom connected to the bedroom equipped with a Jacuzzi bath and a shower that could easily hold four people. Mandy almost grabbed her phone to thank Stephen. Then the oven dinged to say the temperature had reached the selected level and she went to put the pie in the oven. As it heated, she carried her boxes and belongings into the apartment.

She unpacked a few things while eating the delicious steak and potato pie, enjoying another glass of wine, followed by another. It was after midnight before she finally sank down on the luscious soft, but perfectly firm, bed just to close her eyes for a moment.

CHAPTER 7

Mandy woke up to the shrill ringing of her alarm. She got up in a daze and walked across the room to where she had stashed it in a plastic cup to amplify the sound. After switching it off, she looked around at her boxes to find the one she had marked with an “X” for her work clothes. She found it and was almost finished with her hair when her phone rang. She answered it quickly. “Hello?”

“I need you to bring two medium coffees, one black, one with three cream two sugars to the office. Don’t be late.” The line went dead before she could respond.

Mandy finished getting ready in a hurry, waiting for the GPS app on the phone to load so she could find the nearest coffee shop. She pulled her hair into a tight bun and grabbed her purse, hoping she hadn’t gotten the buttons on her blouse wrong in her hurry.

She walked into the office, juggling opening the door and holding the coffee tray with three coffees. The secretary, Gina Campbell, got up and took the tray from her. “I’ll show you to your desk real quick,” she said. “You got here just in time.”

Mandy’s desk was in a small office beside Carl’s. There was a connecting door between the two offices, as well as a door into the main area. “Mr. Salvo’s planner is in the top right-hand drawer. He’ll want you to sync your phone with his so you’ll know where he is and where you need to be at all times. I can show you around later, but right now you should go and deliver the coffees. He doesn’t like them to get cold.”

“Oh, isn’t one of them for you?” Mandy still hadn’t met any of the employees here, but since Gina worked the front office, she had assumed the coffee was for her.

Gina shook her head. “Girlfriend,” she whispered.

“Oh.” Mandy nodded. “Thanks.”

“They’re in his office now. Knock first.”

Mandy nodded. “Thanks!” She knocked on the connecting door as Gina went back to her desk outside.

“Come in,” Carl said quietly.

She opened the door and stepped inside. Carl sat at his desk while a very beautiful woman sat on top of his desk. She couldn’t have been bigger than a size four. She had perfect red curls spiralling down her back without any hint of fringe. She smiled cordially at Mandy, but Mandy could see the arrogance and general expression of distaste in the rest of her face.

Carl cleared his throat and she turned to look at him, her cheeks warm. “Coffee, sir.”

“The black one is mine,” he said. “The one with cream and sugar is Annette’s. Who’s the third one for?”

“That’s mine... Mr. Salvo.” Mandy handed him the black coffee and gave Annette the other. Next time she’d make sure to leave her coffee on her desk. It looked like she was trying to join them.

“You definitely asked for three cream and two sugars, right?” Annette asked. “It tastes disgusting with any other combination.”

“Yes,” Mandy said, smiling sweetly. She could be Claudia’s best friend.

Annette took a sip and wrinkled her nose. “It’ll do,” she said. “I’d prefer the coffee from Starbucks. Not Java crappy Joes.”

“That’s my fault,” Carl said. “I never specified.” He nodded at Mandy. “Thank you, Ms. Connors. Please put down a lunch meeting at Sinclair’s today at one and tea at The Grind at two fifteen. And remind me when I get back from tea to call Madison Bank to follow up on their offer. Not any earlier, though, because I’ll forget. Oh, and schedule a board meeting for tomorrow at five. Thank you.”

“Did you get all of that?” Annette asked, clearly sarcastic.

Mandy reviewed what Carl had said in her mind and then nodded. “Yes, thank you. Enjoy your coffee.” She turned and hurried to her desk. Enjoy your coffee? Weird? Lame? Unprofessional? It was hard for her to tell. There was always an air of professionalism in the places she had worked before but it wasn’t as formal as it was here. Then again, she had been the receptionist for a small town lawyer in a Midwest town of three hundred people while paying for college, and then worked for a three-star hotel before working as the secretary of Stephen’s father in a small advertising company for local businesses. Even the advertising company had been very laid-back because they were working with small business owners that didn’t need to be impressed.

This was an entirely different atmosphere. And I don’t even know what exactly they do here! She was sure that either Carl owned the company, or his family did. It was called SalvoEnterprises after all. She glanced down at her flower-printed blouse and black slacks. She needed to go shopping. Carl’s girlfriend was a rail, Gina was a tall rake... What is it with skinny people? Mandy pushed the thought aside. She had a job to do and no way was she going to lose that amazing apartment.

Mandy sat down at the desk to write everything into his planner and made a mental note to always have the voice memo app on her cell phone running whenever he asked something of her.

Gina knocked on her opened door and stepped in. “I can give you the tour now, if you have a moment.”

“I think I do,” Mandy said.

Gina smiled. “It may seem scary at first, but Mr. Salvowill go easy on you for the first few days while you’re settling in.”

Easy? Great. She wasn’t sure she wanted to see him when he was tough. “Just out of curiosity, what did his last personal assistant have trouble with? I just want to be a little more prepared when the kid gloves go off.”

Gina looked surprised. “You didn’t know? He’s never had a personal assistant before. He’s always managed everything himself.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I think he’s only noticing the strain of it now. To be honest, I don’t think he’s realized his business has tripled within the last three years, and he doesn’t see why he can’t handle everything by himself anymore.”

So Carl definitely owned the business. And ruled it with an iron fist, apparently.

Mandy’s cell phone began ringing on her desk where she’d set it. The sound of the music from the wicked witch of the west began playing in the room. It was Claudia.

“Go ahead, take it,” Gina said. “Just this once, though. Usually Mr. Salvoprohibits all personal calls.”

“So sorry. It won’t happen again.” Mandy grabbed her phone and pressed it against her ear. “Hello?”

“Hey, Mandy, where did you put the catering menu?” Claudia asked.

“You never gave me the catering menu. You said you and Stephen wanted to work it out yourself.” Because you didn’t want me to get hungry and binge-eat after seeing all of the gourmet foods on the menu.

“Oh, that’s right. What about the honeymoon brochures?”

“I’m at work. Can I call you back?”

“It’ll take you two seconds to answer. Less if you stop arguing.”

Mandy sighed and stared up at the high ceiling. “Bedroom desk, left drawer. I have to go.”

“You got a job?” Claudia’s voice rose an octave “What the h—”

Mandy ended the call and quickly turned the phone on silent. “Sorry about that,” she said to Gina. “My sister’s getting married and is freaking out.”

“Been there. Done that. Twice, actually.” Gina smiled. “But seriously, make sure Mr. Salvo doesn’t catch you taking personal calls. He’s very strict about following the rules and working with the utmost efficiency.”

Mandy nodded. She could understand that. The hard part would be trying to get her sister, who had never worked a day in her life, to understand that.

Gina took her around several floors of the building. Everyone she met was polite but distant. They all were very busy so Gina and Mandy did their best not to disturb them.

The last stop was at the base of the building. A workout gym took up the entire basement, lined with different equipment as well as two locker-rooms, a pool, and a sauna. It was the scariest thing yet. Mandy didn’t do gyms. She spent her life trying to hide away from working out in public. Now she had the excuse of being too busy to use it.

“Well, that’s about it.” Gina smiled. “Me and some of the others meet at the bar across the street for drinks on Wednesdays. It’s to get through hump day.” Gina laughed. “You’re welcome to join us.”

Mandy smiled. “Sounds like fun.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket to check the time. There were five missed calls from Claudia and two missed calls from Carl. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized how much trouble she could be in. “I have to get back to my office. Carl—Mr. Salvo’s been trying to get a hold of me.”

Gina nodded. “Let’s go. We can take the stairs, it’ll be quicker.”

Mandy bit her tongue from arguing that the elevator would be quicker for her.

Carl looked less than happy when Mandy came up, out of breath and her face flushed. “Why didn’t you answer my calls?” he asked.

“My phone was off so my sister couldn’t call me during work hours.”

“Why would she call you when she knows that you’re working?”

Mandy simply handed him the phone. He looked at the screen with the missed phone call notifications and swore quietly. He pulled out his wallet and handed her a credit card. “Get yourself a business phone at the end of the day. I need you to accompany me to my meeting this morning and to take notes.”

“Yes, sir,” Mandy said as she tried finger brushing the stray hairs that had escaped her bun away. “When’s the meeting?”

“Right now.” He frowned and checked his watch. “Grab your tablet.”

“Tablet?” She turned to find a brand-new tablet with detachable keyboard on her desk.

“They’re easier to travel with than a computer.” Carl handed her a folder. “Keep this available. When I ask for a paper, hand it to me.”

“Yes, sir.” She slipped the folder in the small Kate Spade tablet holder and followed Carl out the door.

***. ***. ***

Mandy DIDN’T HAVE ANOTHER moment to think for the rest of the day. Every time she finished a task, Carl had six more for her. When she wasn’t attending meetings, typing up reports or filling out paperwork, she had to consult with Gina about Carl’s schedule. Appointments came from Carl and also through Gina. It was clear that Carl was a much wanted man. Mandy couldn’t see how Carl kept up with it. She definitely didn’t see how she was going to keep up with it all.

She and Carl stayed later than everyone else. He wanted to go over the next day’s schedule with her. And give her clothes to drop off at the dry cleaners. By the time Mandy headed home, she was exhausted. And hungry. Even though Carl had bought takeout for himself and offered to get some for her, she declined. She had read somewhere that eating less at night and more in the morning would make you lose weight faster, and figured it would be for the best. She was beginning to regret it now, though. Food sounded damn good.

She stopped at a phone kiosk to pick up an Apple phone similar to the one she’d seen Carl using today. She ran his credit card to pay and wondered if the clerk would require her to have proof for it. If he did, she wouldn’t have the energy to argue with him. Luckily he didn’t. He even helped her add the contacts from the tablet to her phone. When he suggested adding her personal phone she shook her head. No way! She didn’t need her sister calling forty times a day. She didn’t have time for it.

She drove back to the large mansion house, still not sure what it fully looked like in the day and used the gate pass Carl had given her early in the day to open the gate. She pulled into the same spot she’d parked in last night and wondered if Carl and his girlfriend were somewhere in the house.

She opened her car door to find Carl rounding the corner of the house. He spotted her before she could hide. “Good evening, Ms. Connors,” he said, smiling.

“What’re you doing here?” she blurted out. Damn it, Mandy. Don’t be rude! It’s his bloody house!

Carl just looked amused, which made Mandy even more embarrassed. “I live here,” he said. He smirked. “I actually own the house here, too.”

She stood there, too embarrassed to respond. Of course he lived here.

Carl continued when he realized she didn’t know what to say. “You must be tired, Ms. Connors,” he said. “Let me walk you to your apartment.”

“No, I’m fine, really, Mr. Salvo,” she said. “You don’t have to walk me.”

“I insist,” he said. “You’re exhausted and besides, you only moved in yesterday. I assume the apartment is satisfactory for you?”

“It’s fine.” Fine? She crushed the heel of her hand against her forehead. “It’s fantastic. Sorry. I haven’t had much time to unpack.” She kept her eyes to the ground wishing Murray were there instead of Carl. She felt awkward and shy. This was his house and she was living on the main floor, overlooking the pool. That’s where he’d been. She realized his hair was wet and the t-shirt and shorts he wore were dripping. She licked her lips and shot a glance out of the corner of her eye. Dressed in a suit or casual, the man had an air about him. Hot, hot—Focus, Mandy, focus!

She never did like seeing her bosses out of work, even in meetings as innocent as this. She had read too many of Claudia’s collection of trashy romances growing up to ever feel comfortable with it.

Carl didn’t seem to notice though. “When’s your sister’s wedding?”

“Why?”

He smiled. “I have to make sure you have that week off.”

“The third week of June,” Mandy said. “I thought...”

“What? That I was invited? I may be friends with Stephen from college but I’m not that close to him.” Carl looked at her intently. “Trust me.”

Mandy swallowed and nodded. She wasn’t sure what to make of Carl’s expression. Unless he was mad at Stephen on her behalf or something. She wasn’t sure why he would be, but the thought was nice. Stop it. Whatever you’re thinking about, just stop it. She was definitely too tired to be near people right now. Her thoughts were going every which way.

“I have a gym in the house.”

“Pardon?”

“Gina mentioned she showed you the gym at the office.” He ran his tongue over his lower lip. “If you want to use a gym and don’t feel comfortable there, I have one here in the house. You are welcome to use it anytime.”

“Oh.” Great, now he was going to push her to lose weight?

“I don’t mean it in any way. You look okay. Fine.” His cheeks flushed red. “I just meant to offer the quietness here if you ever wanted it... before the wedding and stuff. It’s the room beside your apartment. The code to get in is one-four-nine-six. Top left, down, Right bottom up.”

Mandy wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. She nodded, unable to say anything, terrified she’d burst into tears. She gratefully stopped in front of her apartment door. “Well, this is me,” she said lamely. Of course he knows it’s your place. She took a deep breath in and let it out, hoping she didn’t embarrass herself again. Not in front of him. “Goodnight, Mr. Salvo.”

He smiled at her. “Goodnight, Ms. Connors.”

His smile made her stomach flip and before she completely humiliated herself, she opened the door and quickly shut it in Carl’s face.

Yeah, that wasn’t humiliating at all.