Text Me, Maybe - Jolyse Barnett Page 0,4

her eyes and complemented her blond, shoulder-length hair. “Taking advantage of the fitness center?”

She struggled to wipe the goofy look off her face that she probably made whenever she thought about her trainer. “A lot better than I’d expected. I met someone…” Her voice trailed off, and she turned to hide her blush. Rule number one in administrative assistant etiquette was to keep personal details out of the office. Besides, there really was nothing to tell. Matthew Hennessey was paid to help the firm’s employees use the gym safely. She stifled a sigh and dropped her purse on her chair. “I’ll set these in your office,” she said, nodding at the drinks she carried.

“Interesting. What a coincidence. I met someone there, too,” Ms. Swann replied as she leaned forward to pull off one of the colorful sticky notes on which Lexie had written inspirational quotes and posted inside her cube.

“I can remove those if—” she began.

A smile spread across Ms. Swann’s flawless face. “May I?” she asked, holding a pink note.

“Uh, sure,” she mumbled, following her boss into the sunny, corner office. Why the sudden interest in one of her scribbled quotes?

After sticking the note on her desk, Ms. Swann tapped a pen against her glossy, red lips as she sauntered toward her office window. There was a lot of speculation among the administrative assistants on the fifty-third floor as to how a thirty-year-old had risen to the level of partner in such a prestigious consulting firm so fast. Some suggested Sylvia Swann had beguiled the older men in the firm with her beauty, but Lexie suspected it had a lot more to do with hard work and a few well-placed connections.

“It’s quarter after,” Lexie prompted. “Anything else I can do?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Ms. Swann moved to the door, closing it before she slid onto the sleek swivel chair behind her impressive mahogany desk and motioned for Lexie to sit as well.

Did I miss a phone call?

Her heart skipped a few beats as she sank onto the cushioned seat. She glanced toward her cubicle where the office planner lay. “Should I get your—”

“Relax.” Ms. Swann lifted the pink note off her desk. “Whose quote is this?”

Who so loves believes the impossible. “Elizabeth Barrett Browning.”

“Remarkable,” Ms. Swann observed.

She stifled a snort. Remarkable that I can read, or the quote itself? Because love was impossible. Why fall for the myth of love only to end up unhappy and alone?

“I have an assignment for you.”

She met her boss’s sharp, blue eyes.

“There’s a personal trainer here at J&C I’m interested in getting to know better.”

Matthew?

Her boss leaned back in her chair and grinned. “We met a few weeks ago. The guy has buns of steel.”

A vision of Mr. Hennessey’s backside popped into her head, and Lexie swallowed. “What’s his name?”

“We exchanged numbers and texted,” Ms. Swann continued, “but I’ve been so wrapped up in the promotion I haven’t had the energy to follow up.” She fished around in a drawer then slid a second smartphone onto the desk.

Why two phones? And the trainer, who was he? The chance that Ms. Swann was referring to the same one she’d met Friday was slim. Still, Lexie had to know. “What’s his name?”

“That’s not important.” Ms. Swann flicked a hand in dismissal and stood. “Your excitement about the gym, and that sticky note, reminded me of him.” She leaned against the side of the desk closest to Lexie. “Lucky for me, not only does the guy have a body I’d like to explore for weeks on end, but he’s very educated. I did my research. He earned his Ph.D. in English and teaches Brit Lit at Manhattan University.” Her eyes sparkled. “There’s just one tiny, little concern.” She laughed. “I don’t remember an iota of required reading from my freshman lit class.”

My guy is young and hot, definitely not a professor. Lexie relaxed her shoulders and dared to breathe again. My guy? When had she started thinking that way? Insane.

Ms. Swann leaned forward, her smile wide. “I’ve seen your resume. Summa cum laude.” She glanced at her office door before continuing. “It’s not in your job description, but if you can handle this little issue for me, you’ll be ready for more sensitive J&C ad work. What do you say?”

I say that I’d so love to write event promos rather than type form letters all day.

Ms. Swann pushed off from the desk and slid around to pick up the phone. “This is for my