Page 26 of Naughty Heart

Confusion marred her features. “What?”

“I hired a personal assistant,” I repeated.

Several beats of silenced ensued.

“How does that help? And where is this personal assistant?” she questioned me.

I lifted a hand and pointed to the left, indicating the across the hall from my office. Mina shifted her body and walked toward the window. She glanced out and narrowed her eyes. When she returned her attention to me, she asked, “How does hiring a beautiful personal assistant help you?”

At least Mina had pointed out that Evelyn was beautiful instead of me. “She’s helping me here at the office. What does the way she looks have to do with anything?”

Her hand flew to her hip. “I’m doomed. I’m so doomed. Do you honestly think Mom and Dad are going to take one look at her and think that she’s here just to be your assistant?”

I shrugged. “Well, that’s all she is. And I figured it was better and more believable than the alternative.”

“If this is better than the alternative, I can only imagine what you were going to do,” Mina scoffed.

“I was going to hire her to play my girlfriend for a few weeks, but I thought it would appear rather suspect if I happened to show up with a steady girlfriend mere days after our parents were in my apartment the morning after I had a one-night stand.”

My sister’s face twisted with disgust. “You’re so gross, Malcolm.”

“I’m being honest.”

Throwing her thumb over her shoulder to point toward Evelyn, Mina asked, “Does this girl know what’s going on?”

I shook my head.

“And you don’t think it’s wise to fill her in on it?”

“Why would I do that? I don’t want her to quit. My whole plan will go up in smoke, and if that happens, you are going to be in charge around here,” I pointed out.

“It feels a little grimy, big brother. I’d reconsider what you’re doing and how you’re trying to get this thing turned around. If I had to guess, something bad is going to happen,” she warned me.

“I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you really believe that?”

Nodding, I shared, “Believe it or not, I just hired Evelyn on Monday, and she’s already given me some great ideas. She’s a smart woman, and I think her input will help make things even better around here. If our parents can see the improvements that have been made as a result of things Evelyn and I are working to make happen here, I think this is going to all work out exactly how you and I both want it to.”

Mina assessed me as she allowed my words to sink in. A moment later, she asked, “So you’re telling me she’s a legitimate employee who you aren’t trying to date and that she’s actually qualified for this position?”

“I’ve never had a personal assistant before, and Evelyn’s never worked in this capacity prior to now, so I can’t say one way or the other. But what I will say is that she’s more than just a beautiful woman. She’s very smart, and she has some great ideas. That’s enough for me right now.”

“I noticed you didn’t answer my question about you attempting to date her,” she pointed out.

Of course, she did. I don’t know why I thought she’d forget about that. “I mean, pretending we were dating had sort of been my goal from the beginning. But for now, I’m just going to hold back from doing anything like that. I think it’ll leave a better impression if I implement some of the changes in the company Evelyn and I discussed, and our parents can see I’ve gotten serious about where this company is headed.”

My sister stared at me for a long time before she started shaking her head. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Malcolm.”

“Trust me, Mina. I’ve got it all figured out. Now, should I expect a visit from our parents today?”

“Probably.”

I figured as much, so I jerked my head toward the door and asked, “Want to meet her?”

“Someone’s got to warn her about you.”

I rolled my eyes.