Chapter 48 #2
“Yeah, that's true. I bet you it will go gangbusters. You could be the next Sarah J. Maas.”
“I mean, I don't know about that, but it would be cool.” I look at my watch. “Okay, I have been here chit-chatting for way too long. Best get back to my desk. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m looking forward to it, as well,” I say with a huge grin.
“You don’t have to thank me yet. You haven’t seen your new look yet, but I’m sure it’s going to be great.”
I head back to my desk, sipping my coffee, and look into the office.
Remington is not there. I feel a slight twitch of disappointment, but I let it pass as I sit down.
“You need to stop crushing on Remington,” I mumble to myself.
“Focus on Marco.” And while I’ve been pretending to be really excited to Lila and Skye, I’m not super-duper stoked to go on a date with Marco.
It isn't because I don't find him attractive, because I do.
And it isn't because I think he has a bad personality, because I didn't really know his personality, other than from the restaurant. It’s because I don't feel that spark.
And I know I don't feel that spark because I have that spark for Remington, and I hate it. I want to extinguish the fire that I feel for my boss. I hate the fact that I’m such a monogamous, one-eyed woman.
I hate the fact that I don't seem capable of having a crush or being interested in two men at the same time.
“Hey there, Juniper. How's it going?” I look up and see Liam Gallagher standing next to the desk, his eyes narrowed as he takes me in.
“Oh, great, thanks.” I nod. “How are you liking New York?”
“It's always a fun time when I'm in New York,” he responds. “I am grateful that you guys had an open office so that I can work here for the next six months. I don't suppose you'd allow me to poach you from Remington?” He leans down and gazes at me intently.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you don't want to be my assistant, do you?” He is serious. "I need a hard worker like you on my team. I have a lot of important deals that I'm working on."
“I'm going to be here tonight to help, but I work for Remington. You're interviewing for an assistant on Monday, right?”
“Yeah, but the interviews could be for Remington instead. I know you. I've worked with you, albeit via the Internet and phone calls, but you're a very good assistant. You're great at your job.”
I blushed slightly. “Well, thank you, Mr. Gallagher, but I am Remington’s assistant. And I think you'll find that HR will be able to find you a more than adequate assistant to work with.”
“I’m sure they will. I had to shoot my shot, right?”
“I guess,” I say, picking up a folder. “Remington's not in his office, but I can take a message if you have one for him.”
“Um, I didn't actually come to see Remington. I came to talk to you.”
“I'm flattered. I'll see you this evening, though. Did you need any specific from me tonight?”
He blinks at me for a couple of seconds. “Um, the work for tonight?” He frowns. “What work is that, exactly?”
“The project that you have to have completed by Monday morning, that you're working on tonight and this weekend.”
“The project I have due by Monday morning?” he repeats and runs his fingers through his hair. He looks at me like he thinks I'm slightly crazy. “Um, okay. What project is this?”
“I don't know, but Remington told me that I have to work tonight because we're working on a project for you. I assumed that you were going to be there, but—”
“This is the first I’ve heard about it.” He shakes his head and grabs his phone. “Let me call Remington and see what’s going on.”
I nod. “Yes, please, because I could have sworn that he said the project was for you and that you would be there. And that it was extremely important because I literally had to change a date for this.”
“A date? With your boyfriend?” He looks me over in surprise, which annoys me.
“No, with a new guy that I met. It was a first date, so obviously I did not like having to tell him I could no longer make it. So, I’m curious to find out what is going on.”
“I understand,” he says. His lips are twitching slightly. “Hold on. Let me see what Remington says…
Hey, Remington, what's going on? It's me, Liam.
I'm here with your assistant. Yeah, I know you're not in the office; she told me.
But what's this about us having to work tonight?” He pauses, and his eyes look over at me, then straight ahead.
I can't tell from his facial expression what's going on or what's being said.
“I see.” He nods slightly. “Okay.” He looks back over at me again.
“Sure, yeah.” He nods some more. “Okay, cool. Give me a call when you get to the office. Perfect.” He hangs up and puts the phone back in his pocket.
“Okay, then. Well, that's taken care of.” He smiles at me and taps his fingers against the desk. “You have a good afternoon, Juniper.”
“Wait, what? What did Remington say? What’s going on?”
“I guess there is stuff that needs to be done for one of the cases that he is working on for me.” He nods. “I guess I will see you later.”
“Oh, okay. But you didn’t know this before? Or—”
He shrugs. “Maybe something got lost in communication. That’s why I need an assistant.” He grins. “Someone good like you.”
“Yeah,” I say slowly. “I guess.”
“Well, anyway, you have a great afternoon. I’ll see you this evening.”