and talk to me like that. Neither did she ramble. She got straight to the point. Made an incredibly valid argument and laid her cards on the table.
I knew instantly that I couldn’t lose her as a key employee. I need someone like her on my team. She has proven herself to be efficient, and I would be a damn fool to force her out of this organization.
I am riddled with these thoughts constantly while I sit here in my chair, trying not to stare while she works at her desk outside these glass walls. If she looks up, she’ll see me glance at her, but she doesn’t.
Maybe things wouldn’t be this difficult if I didn’t feel her physical response that day. Something tells me she wants me the way I want her, and that is a dangerous thing.
When I receive a call from Blaire a few days later on my personal phone, I am not sure about answering it. When I look up, I see Kim at her desk, typing on the computer. It seems like she has no idea Blaire is calling me, and I have no idea what this can be about.
“Hi, Kirk, how are you doing?” Blaire sounds chirpy while I mumble into the phone.
“Fine. Why?”
“Geez. Can’t a girl call a friend to have a chat?” she says with a laugh.
I’m already running all the possible scenarios in my head. This could be a trap. Maybe she knows exactly what happened between Kim and me. The last thing I need is to get an earful from an ex.
“Chat about what? You’re calling in the middle of the day.”
“I know you’re a busy man.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Cool, so I won’t take up too much of your time. I just want to know how things are going with Kim.”
For a few moments, there’s silence between us. I’m trying to assess how much Blaire knows already.
“Why? What did she tell you?” I say and immediately regret asking it.
“Tell me about what?” she asks like she has sniffed out a rat in the room.
I draw in a deep breath. This whole thing is making me impatient. I shouldn’t have to be worrying about my assistant so much. I have actual serious work to do!
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Blaire. So I’d appreciate it if you just get on with it.”
“According to Kim, everything is going well. She says she’s really enjoying working at your office. I just want to know what you think. I mean, she has already passed the two-week mark.”
“Hasn’t she told you I’ve hired her on permanently?” I ask.
Blaire seems stunned into silence for a moment and then she is excited.
“That is so great, Kirk! I am so happy for you both. I knew this would work out. I guess you owe me a big thanks now.”
“Yes, Blaire, thank you very much for doing your job,” I say, trying to stay in-character. She growls at me, and I can picture her rolling her eyes.
“Fine, don’t admit it, but she is pretty perfect for that job.”
“Okay, but I have to go.”
I end the call before she can say anything more. I look over and catch Kim in her chair, delicately tucking stray strands of her honey-blond hair behind her ears. I get that feeling once again, that she has no idea how beautiful she is. Nor the effect she has on men.
I can see the way her narrow ankles are crossed underneath her desk.
She hasn’t told Blaire anything. Why not? I thought they have the kind of relationship where they share everything with each other.
I look away just when she raises her eyes to me. I don’t want to stare. I want to make sure she feels comfortable in her workspace.
If I can keep my hands to myself, with any luck, Kim will be a faithful employee of this organization for years.
I return to the office after a business lunch and find Kim missing from her desk. Instinctually, my eyes drift around the floor, but she is nowhere in sight. She is usually always here, ready with a list of phone calls or anything else I need to stay posted on.
I don’t know why I’m doing it. Technically, I have no reason to, but I am going in search of her. Down the corridors and back to the elevators. I take it down to the floor below us. I don’t even know what I’m going to say to her when I see her. Even though she called