Catch - Deborah Bladon Page 0,29

we decided we’re better as colleagues.”

It can’t be that easy.

“Maren,” Keats whispers my name as he steps closer to me. “You did me a tremendous favor last night by not correcting Earl’s assumption about us. It gave me a fighting chance. Without you there, the meeting would have ended before it started.”

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you giving me this job, Keats.” I feel my skin heat. “But, I’m not sure I should have been at that meeting. My presence complicated things.”

His arms cross over his chest. “I needed you there.”

“Not really.” I half-laugh. “I know virtually nothing about sports. I just started working for you, and my job description clearly states that I’m your executive assistant. The list of responsibilities on the contract I signed is all about tasks within this office.”

A smile ghosts his mouth. “You didn’t read the contract.”

I’d take offense at that, but I can’t because he’s right. I skimmed it over quickly before I signed because I felt the building pressure of my parents breathing down my neck.

That’s not exactly what happened. But my dad was trying to reach me the morning the contract was delivered. Once I got here, and spoke to Keats, I signed the contract in front of Everett after I gave the first two pages a glance.

“You attend social functions at my request.” He brushes past me to head to his desk. “That includes dinner meetings, lunches, parties, and travel.”

My stomach knots at that last word. “Travel? I have to go away with you?”

He glances at me as he places his phone and keys on his desk. “If need be.”

“Where to?” I don’t care where we’d go. I’m stuck on the fact that I agreed to all of this without realizing it.

Feelings can develop when people who work side-by-side spend time together outside of the office. It happened to me once and it didn’t end well. I’m attracted to Keats, but he’s my boss.

He straightens. “That’s to be determined. We’re staying in New York for the time being.”

I exhale. “Good.”

“You’re not afraid of flying, are you?” He perks a brow.

I shake my head. “No.”

A knock at the office door spins me around. “Should I get that?”

“Please,” Keats says from behind me.

I take shaky steps to the door as I try to absorb the fact that my boss and I will be spending a lot more time together than I expected.

When I swing open the door, I’m greeted with a pair of arms wrapped in a pink cardigan. A woman with graying brown hair pulls me toward her. “You must be Maren. I’m Patrika Newman. It’s so good to meet you two lovebirds.”

Chapter 21

Keats

I stand just out of reach of Patrika Newman’s grabby hands. Maren is taking one for the team, and I’m grateful.

I wave a hand in greeting to Earl and his son even though they are thirty minutes early. I suspect that was planned. Earl strikes me as the type of man who does a hell of a lot of testing on those around him.

From where I’m standing, this unexpected early arrival couldn’t have gone any better. I doubt Maren would agree since she’s getting the life hugged out of her.

“Your office is cool, Keats,” Fletcher says, looking around. “You can see the Empire State Building from here.”

I glance toward the window. “It’s a beautiful sight, isn’t it?”

“You’re a beautiful sight,” Patrika Newman practically screams at me. “I knew you were hot as a griddle, but wow.”

That’s a compliment, so I smile. “It’s good to meet you.”

I wait for her to take a run at me, but she hangs onto Maren. “Earl told me that you all had the best time last night. I’m sorry I missed it.”

Maren takes a step back, and by some miracle, Patrika loosens the death grip she has on her.

Earl finally steps into my office. “We’re early, but we knew you wouldn’t mind.”

I flash a grin. “You’re welcome here anytime.”

Maren skims her hands down her sides to straighten her blouse. “Can I get anyone a beverage? We have coffee, green tea, an assortment of juices, and sodas.”

Like hell we do.

The break room is stocked with coffee and some brand of tea that my first assistant loved. If anyone wants something else, there’s water out of the tap and a bodega is a block from here.

“I’d love a green tea.” Patrika grins from ear-to-ear. “You wouldn’t happen to have honey, would you, honey?”

Maren laughs along at her joke. “We have honey.”

Since when and