4. Maddy
4
MADDY
I stared as Noah strolled cockily into the bathroom.
The way he just assumed I’d say yes.
He was arrogant, he was annoying…
He was also offering me more money than I’d ever made in my life. And he was right, I liked solving problems, and I loved the world of professional sports. In addition to being fascinating in its own right, reading sports reporting always made me feel closer to my dad.
Still, I wasn’t the kind of person who took crazy risks. And working for Noah Parker was a risk, especially given the way he’d reprimanded and then fired his former assistant.
On impulse, I grabbed my phone and texted Kaitlyn.
Hey, I know it’s the day after your wedding, but I have a weird, time sensitive question. Do you think James’ friend Noah Parker would be a good person to work for?
Five minutes later, my phone rang.
“James wants to know what you mean by ‘good’?” Kaitlyn asked.
I stood up and started pacing. “Like, does he treat his employees well? Does he respect them? Does he fire them for no reason?”
There was some murmuring on the other end of the line as Kaitlyn conferred with James.
“James says Noah has really high expectations. He’ll probably expect you to work long hours, and he’ll make you redo any work that isn’t perfect,” Kaitlyn said. “But he also gives his people the resources they need to succeed. He gives credit where credit is due. He’s got a temper, but only with people who deserve it. And he pays really well… James, don’t take my phone!” Kaitlyn giggled.
A deep voice came on the line. “Look, Noah is the best man I know, but he’s also a stubborn son-of-a-bitch. Up to you whether you’re willing to put up with that. Now I’m hanging up this phone so I can kiss my bride.”
He hung up the phone on Kaitlyn’s scandalized laughter.
Well, that answered some of my questions.
I chewed my lip, thinking. If I was honest with myself, it was time for me to move on from the newspaper. I’d taken the job thinking maybe I could follow in my father’s footsteps, but the old-fashioned boys club atmosphere at the paper definitely wasn’t the right fit for me.
But won’t you feel like an idiot if you’ve put in all this time, and they quit right before they give you a chance to really write? a small, nagging voice whispered.
My phone buzzed again, this time with an incoming email.
It was my boss at the paper.
His note was brief. Great pitch, Maddy. Definitely a story here. I’ve decided to give it to one of the head reporters. Feel free to keep sending me pitches like this. The other reporters are always looking for ideas.
I stared down at my phone, feeling like I’d been punched. He’d taken my story and given it to someone else. And then as good as announced that he intended to keep doing just that.
Well, screw him.
It wasn’t like my dream job was being an assistant to a moody billionaire, but maybe I could take it for a year or so, save up enough for a nest egg, and plot my next big move.
Figure out where I truly belonged.
I heard the bathroom door open. I turned around to face Noah, looking unfairly sexy with damp hair and a towel around his hips.
For a second, my mind just… stopped.
I blinked, yanking my eyes up to Noah’s.
“I made a decision,” I said, holding out my hand. “I accept.”
Too late I realized that this meant I would be touching Noah’s hand when he was wearing nothing but a towel.
Suddenly I remembered the dream I’d had that last night. I’d been snuggled up against him, his heart beating steady and strong under my hand…
Noah clasped my hand and gave it a firm shake, completely confident despite his semi-nude state. “Wonderful. Welcome to Parker Sports Management, Maddy Malone. We’ll take care of the onboarding paperwork once we return from the trip.” His eyes dropped to my t-shirt and short-shorts. “Did you happen to pack any business attire? You look… uh, nice in what you’re wearing, but we need you to look the part for the meeting.”
“Hey, I may not look impressive, but I found you a private plane on short notice,” I said defensively. “But no, I only packed for the wedding. And anyway, I usually wear jeans and sneakers to work.”
He sighed heavily. “Give me your sizes and I can have a rack sent to the room before we leave.”
My jaw dropped. “How… will I have to…”
He flicked my concern away with a sweep of his hand. “This is a business expense that the company will pick up. As long as you promise me you never, ever want to be a social media influencer.”
Oh wow. My life was about to get very different.
“No interest in becoming an influencer,” I said faintly.
“Your phone,” Noah said, pointing to my phone. “Someone is texting you.”
I glanced down. It was Hope—one of my best friends and fellow bridesmaids—texting to ask if I was coming to brunch. She, Nia, and Cassie had already snagged a table.
“Oh shit. I forgot, I’m late to meet my friends for brunch.” I grabbed some leggings and a sweatshirt from my suitcase and rushed to the bathroom to change.
“You just ate breakfast. And we’re about to leave on a trip,” Noah protested.
I stuck my head back out of the bathroom. “Do you actually need me to do something between now and take-off other than picking out some clothes that aren’t even here yet? Or are you just paranoid because your last assistant was so bad?”
He glared at me.
But he didn’t actually say I was wrong.
Noah heaved a sigh. “We have to leave for the airport at one, so by all means, join your friends for brunch. Leave enough time to try on the clothing and pack before we have to go. Don’t drink any alcohol, and meet me in the lobby at one.”
I beamed. “You got it, boss.”
I ducked into the bathroom and threw on clothes. Then I ran a brush through my hair, threw on a quick slick of lip-gloss, and headed down to fill them in on the incredible plot twist in my life.
The on-site restaurant was packed, but it was hard to miss Nia, Hope, and Cassie, cackling away at a table in the middle of the room and effortlessly drawing everyone’s attention. My friends were hot, there was no denying it. Hope was having a typical Grace Kelly moment, with her blonde hair swept into a chignon. Nia was in a tight black sundress that left little to the imagination. And Cassie? Cassie had a dreamy expression on her face, probably having flashbacks to her own wedding a year prior, as well as all that had changed since then. She had recently revealed she was going to be the first momma in our little circle of friends.
“Lock up the mimosas, look who decided to show,” Nia laughed as I joined them. “Why are you late? Hungover?”
I shook my head. “No, thank god, but I do have a really good excuse.”
The table went silent waiting for me to continue.
“You know we love a cliffhanger but come on, put us out of our misery,” Cassie said. “What’s his name?”
They laughed at me, all knowing I wasn’t exactly the hook-up type.
“His name is Noah Parker,” I said as they all ooh ed. “And he hired me this morning.”
“Wait. The Noah Parker? Isn’t he, like, a billionaire and a total asshole? I follow his assistant on social media,” Hope said by way of explanation. “Are you becoming a sugar baby or something?”
Now it was my turn to laugh. “Well, she’s not his assistant anymore. I am.” I sipped my orange juice. “I guess he’s one of James’s friends? Anyway, he owns a sports management company, and he hired me to be his personal assistant.”
“Oooh, you mean that zaddy from last night in the black suit? Now that’s a score!” Nia said. “But how the hell did it happen?”
I gave them a quick replay of our meet-ugly that had them laughing so hard they were gasping for air, then finished with my triumphant jet acquisition.
“Private jet? Money is no object? To the internet, ladies,” Cassie said, holding up her phone. “Time to stalk one Noah Parker.”
I was shocked that I hadn’t done the same thing yet, but it wasn’t like I’d had a ton of time. Everything was happening so quickly I could barely believe it.
“Oh wow, he’s the real deal,” Hope said, holding up her phone to show everyone a Sports Illustrated article about his firm. “Seems like he has a really impressive business.”
“And he pays well,” Cassie chimed in while scrolling on her phone.
"How do you know that?” I wasn’t surprised at that given what he’d offered me.
“Salary website. There’s also a section where people describe what it’s like working for him. Damn. Be careful. Sounds like he can be a jerk to work for—although his clients all seem to like him because he gets the job done. And the dude gets around. I’ve already found photos of him with three Victoria’s Secret models.” Nia said. “Not at the same time, though, and there’s not a lot of repeat hookups. It’s looking like one and done for him.”
My stomach inexplicably twisted. Of course Noah had dated the world’s most beautiful women. So what if he’d seen me in my ratty pajamas? What did it matter to me?
We all scanned our phones in silence for a few minutes until I cleared my throat. “Do you guys think I’m crazy for taking the job?”
Cassie shook her head. “Absolutely not. This is the time to take risks. And anything is better than the Register , right?”
I grimaced and realized I needed to officially resign. I’d make the call before we left for the airport.
“What’s he like?” Hope asked with a dreamy expression on her face.
Nia burst out laughing. “He gets around and he has a reputation as a jerk. Sounds like a typical billionaire to me. Except for James, of course. And based on the way things started with Noah, I’m guessing you’ll have your work cut out for you.”
I hesitated. God knew Noah was high handed, demanding, and apparently had a chip on his shoulder about assistants who failed him. But honesty made me say, “No, he’s not bad. But he’s…”
“He’s what?” Cassie asked as she studied my face. She was the one who could always pick up on the stuff we all tried to hide from each other.
“I mean… Well. I did hear him fire his old assistant this morning. All I have to say is ouch.”
“What did he do?” Nia asked. “Because if he’s the type to mistreat employees I’m gonna…” She made a fist.
I laughed at her protectiveness. “He was yelling at her, yes. Apparently, she almost made him miss an important meeting because she forgot to include credit card details on a flight. I get the impression she spent too much time on social media, trying to build up a brand as an influencer, and that meant she had too little time to actually do her job.”
“… Okay, that tracks,” Hope said. “She does post a lot. I honestly kind of wondered how she managed to do that and keep a day job.”
The waiter delivered the cinnamon bread they’d ordered before I arrived.
Hope nodded to herself, apparently coming to a conclusion. “You’re so organized. Noah’s going to love you. I have a good feeling about this.”
I ripped off a hunk of the warm bread. “I sure hope so. What about you two?” I glanced at Nia and Cassie.
“Hot older man and a private plane? Um, yes, you definitely made the right choice,” Nia said as she raised her mimosa to me in a toast.
“ Rich , hot older man,” Cassie corrected. “Who sounds like he’s used to getting his way. I’d say keep your guard up—but if he was the type to take advantage, he and James wouldn’t be friends. And it does sound like a good fit for you. I say go for it.”
We descended into our usual gossip session as the meal continued, talking about the wedding and how beautiful James and Kaitlyn looked together. A love like theirs gave me hope. Not that I was in a hurry to find my perfect match, but seeing Cassie and Scott at their wedding last year and now James and Kaitlyn made me believe that happily-ever-afters really existed.
I was scooping up my last bite of frittata when my text alert went off. “It’s Noah.” I read it quickly. “The clothing he ordered is here, I need to go back to the room.”
“Wait, what ? Clothes? You left that part out.” Nia said.
“He had some stuff sent up to the room so I can look the part of a polished assistant on this trip.” I saluted them as I pushed my chair back. “Duty calls. Today is the first day of my new life.”
Hope pouted. “Boo, I thought we were all going to hang out by the pool today.”
“I’ll be there in spirit. Send me lots of pictures to make me jealous.”
We all hugged, and I headed back up to the room. When I walked in, it looked as if Noah had sent for an entire shop’s worth of options for me.
“Noah, are you in here?” I called out. “Is anyone?”
I was alone, so I let out a squeal and dove into the gorgeous choices hanging on two racks. There were skirts, dresses, blouses, a few pairs of pants, and a half-dozen pairs of pumps, all with designer labels. I wasn’t sure if he’d given instructions about the style and color, but everything skewed toward understated and elegant, in creams, camels, grays, and blacks. Not one pop of color. I guess he wanted me to look put together without drawing the spotlight.
I felt a moment of trepidation. This was the exact opposite of the colorful, casual stuff I normally wore.
“It’s just clothes,” I reminded myself. “Not a symbol that he secretly wants you to change your entire personality.”
I pulled out a dress that I thought was black but turned out to be navy. It was heavy on the hanger and draped beautifully. I quickly peeled off my clothing and kicked off my flips flops so I could see how it fit. After I’d tied the thin belt at the waist and slipped on a pair of navy pumps, I turned to look at myself in the full-length mirror.
Oh wow . I wasn’t going to blend in at all. Based on how I looked in the dress, I felt as if every eye was going to be on me.
I wasn’t sure whether that was better or worse.