Page 18 of Help Wanted

“We can’t expect Kenley to—”

“Kenley is a big girl. She can handle it on her own. To be honest, I really don’t need to be here as it is. I could have turned everything over to her by day three.”

“But Sid—”

“But nothing. She’s going to be here all by herself most of the time anyway. Might as well start next week. Friday is my last day. Five o’clock.” And with that she hung up on him.

“Just great,” Zane complained to the phone. His sister was leaving him to fend for himself with Kenley. God help them.

A little after six his phone rang from a number he didn’t recognize.

“Zane Jackson,” he said officially, expecting a customer.

“Hi, Zane. It’s me, Kenley.” She didn’t need to say her name. His body’s response to her voice was all he needed to identify her.

“Oh. Hi. Are you still working?”

“No. I wanted to talk to you in private.” Oh God. The word private made him twitch again. He was doomed.

“Yes?” His voice sounded funny.

“Well, this Friday is Sidney’s last day, and I wondered if you were planning anything.”

“Planning anything?” He didn’t understand.

“You know, like a party or some gift to show your appreciation for her pivotal role in getting your business off the ground.”

“Did Sidney tell you that last part?”

“Why yes, she did. Many times actually.” They were laughing together.

“It’s true, though. I would have had a difficult time if it weren’t for her. I guess I didn’t really think about a party or anything since I won’t be in town.”

“I can take care of it if you’d like. I just need to know the budget.”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Can we keep it under five hundred, will that work?”

“Yes. I can do that. Thanks.”

“Thank you. I can’t imagine what would have happened if we didn’t do anything for her. I’d never hear the end of it.”

“I got your back,” she said, and a vision of them in the shower, her rubbing her soapy chest against his back, snapped into his mind.

“Okay, then. Thanks. I kind of have to go.” He had been walking, but now walking seemed impossible with the sudden tightness in his jeans.

“Sure. I’ll see you next week sometime, right?”

“Yep.”

“See you then.” He couldn’t see her. Not when he literally sprang up like a fourteen-year-old at just the sound of her voice. What was he going to do?

The next evening, he received an email from Kenley detailing the going away send-off. Paul, Brady and four other guys would be home to attend. Kenley had ordered a cake. She’d gotten Sidney a simple diamond necklace, and there was a link to a website where he was to record a message saying goodbye.

This woman was scary good.