Page 62 of Help Wanted

“Do you like this guy?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you’re going to have to talk to him eventually. Answer it while I go get us each another piece of cheesecake.”

“You’re the best.”

Kenley picked up her phone, looked at Zane’s name, and sighed. She was acting like the naïve virgin she had been the day before.

If they went public things could be uncomfortable if they didn’t work out. But should they assume things would go bad? Could she risk it? She needed a job. It had been difficult to get a job after the first scandal. How would she manage an interview when there were two?

Armed with steely determination she answered on the next ring.

“Hello.”

“Kenley, I’m so sorry.”

“How’s Sidney and the baby?” she redirected.

“They’re fine. Good. Can I come over so we can talk?”

“I’m in New York. I needed cheesecake.”

“Oh. I see.” Did he think cheesecake equated to DEFCON 2 in the relationship world? “Will you be home later?”

“I’ll be at work tomorrow morning.”

“I won’t be in tomorrow. I have a trip.” Which he’d scheduled himself.

“I’ll make sure to forward any messages.”

“I think we should discuss this.”

“I think we should just keep things professional going forward.” She swallowed and gripped the phone tighter.

“Oh. Okay. If that’s what you want.” He didn’t sound so sure, and she almost faltered. But she didn’t want to risk her job on her irrational emotional state. Professionalism was the only option she could see. Sleeping with her boss had been a mistake. The best they could do now was put it behind them.

“I’ll see you when you get back. Let me know if there’s anything you need me to take care of while you’re away.” She fell back into her role of assistant who managed things efficiently and pleasantly.

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Goodbye.” She hung up and winced from the pain in her chest.

“You cut things off?” Liss set a plate in front of her.

“Yes. It’s for the best.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“I’m not sure of anything right now.”

* * *

The next morning she opened the building and started coffee. A few of the guys stopped by to pick up paperwork before starting the day, each giving her a smile and a greeting as they drained the coffeepot. No one started a new one.

It was going to be one of those days.

Three days later she still hadn’t seen or heard from Zane. She wanted to be mad at him for hiding, but she’d insisted they keep things professional and he was away on business.