Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,45
old, when I was a kid.”
“I have no idea what her age is. She guards it well. She’s still sharp, though. And she’s been bugging me to hire an assistant.”
“Really?” Sydney turned in his arms and rested her palm on his chest. “You don’t have one?”
“I did. She didn’t work out. I’ve made do since I had to let her go but it would be nice to find another one before I start on No Regrets.”
She smiled. “I have the perfect person for you. Brenda Pearson. She’s funny. A little sarcastic. Well, maybe a lot sarcastic. The most organized person you’ll ever meet.”
“How do you know her?”
“She worked for me before I quit my job last week. I hated leaving her behind because she’s good at everything, especially where technology is concerned. She even offered to come with me, wherever I was going.”
It made him curious about what Sydney did before she returned to Hollywood. “You think Wonder Woman would actually relocate three thousand miles away for someone who’s not you?”
“I do. She’s ready for a change. She’s an only child. Her parents retired to Florida recently. She broke up with her long-time boyfriend two months ago and found out the day before I left that he was already engaged. Brenda needs to trade in her old life for something new. Like me.”
Dash grinned. “Let’s give her a call.”
“You mean it?” she asked eagerly.
“If you say she’s that good, how could I not hire her?”
Sydney retrieved her phone and climbed back next to him.
He looked at her phone. “You definitely need an upgrade, babe. This looks like a throwaway that some drug dealer would buy at a convenience store.”
“I lost mine on the plane coming out. I picked this up but I need to get a good replacement.”
“Then maybe the wonderful Brenda can take care of that.”
“If she comes, she’ll be your assistant. Not mine.”
“If I’m paying her, she’ll follow through on what I ask her to do. That means getting you a new phone.” He paused. “Do you know I don’t even know your phone number? I have no way of sexting you.”
Her eyes shone with mischief. “Then you better be nice to me or you may never get it.”
He gave her a long, deep kiss. “See. I know how to make nice.”
“You sure do.” She dialed the number and put it on speaker.
“Hello.”
Dash heard impatience in the voice that answered and wondered if Brenda was as great as Sydney claimed.
“It’s Sydney, Brenda.”
“Sydney! How are you? I didn’t recognize the number. I almost didn’t answer except I’d given mine out at some crappy speed dating session last night and thought it might be someone from there. Not that any guy deserved my number. The whole thing was a bust. Where are the good men hiding?”
“Are you at work?”
“Do I ever leave? Every time I’ve tried to get out the door tonight, it’s ‘Brenda, type this deposition. Brenda, I need fourteen collated copies of this by tomorrow.’ At this rate, I should buy a sleeping bag and roll it out because I may never escape.”
“Were you serious when you offered to leave there and come with me?”
“Yes. Wait. Are you offering me a job? You mean I could march in and turn in my notice? Where are you? What would I be doing? Oh, who cares? Anything is better than this. I’ve been miserable since you left. I’ve missed you like crazy.”
“Well, you wouldn’t be working for me. It would be for a friend of mine.”
Dash mouthed, “Friend?” at her.
“A really close friend,” Sydney amended. “Here, talk to him and decide for yourself.”
“Hello, Brenda,” Dash said.
Silence. Then, “Say that again, please.”
“Hello, Brenda,” he repeated.
“Do you know who you sound like?” she asked.
“Dash DeLauria?”
“Exactly. I’ve seen his last movie three times. You could easily pass for him.”
“Well, Brenda, I am Dash DeLauria.”
“You mean . . . you . . . you’re friends with Sydney? My Sydney? Close friends? Are you sleeping with Sydney?” Brenda demanded. “Does she know how many women you’re involved with?”
Dash liked Brenda already.
Sydney piped up, “You’re on speaker, Brenda.”
“I am? Well, okay then. Pulling myself together. Putting on my professional hat.” Brenda cleared her throat. “So, Mr. DeLauria, what would this job entail?”
“It’s Dash. I need a personal assistant. Someone to manage my appointments. My schedule. Pay my bills. Make sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and that I get to where I’m supposed to be on time. It’s not strictly nine to five,