Her first week had gone well. There wasn’t anything she hadn’t been able to handle. Other than this silly crush on her boss.
Sighing, she started to dial Linda Schaffer’s office. The best way to shake off this crush of hers was to do what she always did in times of crisis: Lose herself in work. She wasn’t a workaholic like Simon was, but work was great for taking her mind off stress.
Damn. Her thoughts had drifted back to Simon again.
After a few rings Linda answered, and Heather informed her that she would be heading down to her office soon.
Heather stepped into Linda’s messy office fifteen minutes later.
Linda waved her in and gestured to the chair beside her desk. Her silver hair was tied back in a messy ponytail and she had a no-nonsense look on her face. From their brief encounter on Monday, Heather had gotten the distinct impression that Linda was firm but fair.
Heather sank down into the chair and retrieved her new company phone from her handbag.
“Sorry about the mess,” Linda said. “I still haven’t hired an assistant to file things away, so the place is in chaos.”
“What about the other people you interviewed earlier in the week?” Heather asked. “I’m working with Simon now, but there were two other candidates.”
“You were the best candidate. The other two didn’t have experience at the executive level, so it looks like Simon stole you from me.” Linda smiled. “But never mind. I’m sure I’ll find a PA soon. You’ve got some questions for me?”
“Yes.” Heather bit her tongue, realizing that the first thing she wanted to ask was about Simon. What she knew about him came from childhood memories and scant media reports. Linda worked closely with him, and Heather’s curiosity about her boss only got worse with each passing day.
“Well, go ahead,” Linda prompted. “I’ve been at Dover since the beginning. I was here even before Simon invested in the place. About ten years.”
“Simon seems...pretty wrapped up in work,” Heather said.
“You could say that.” Linda chuckled. “Or you could say that he’s married to the job.”
“What kind of boss is he?” Heather asked.
“You’ve been here for several days now,” Linda pointed out. “What kind of boss do you think he is? Your impression of him is the most important thing, you know?”
“He’s demanding,” Heather said. “But not pushy. He just expects things to be a certain way. He’s obviously a perfectionist.”
“What CEO isn’t?” Linda smiled again. “He’s nothing you can’t handle. You look like you’re probably nice, but I sense that you’re tough in your own way.”
“I suppose I am. After the year I’ve had, I guess I’d have to be.” Heather grimaced. There was that bitterness in her voice again.
“Oh?” Linda arched an eyebrow. “What kind of year have you had?”
Cheeks warming with embarrassment, Heather replied, “It’s nothing. Forget I said anything-”
“Simon isn’t interested in our personal lives,” Linda warned. “Work is work. Everything else stays out of the office. You got it?”
Heather nodded. “Yes. Absolutely. I didn’t mean to bring up personal stuff.”
Linda leaned forward. “Simon might not be interested, but go ahead. Tell me about your year.”
Heather paused. As stern as she seemed, Linda’s eyes were full of concern. “I got laid off,” she said. “Then I got divorced.”
Linda winced. “That’s rough. I’ve had three divorces.”
Heather’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Sure. I’m on husband number four.” Linda grinned like she had just told the most hilarious joke. “It hurts now, but it’ll get easier with time. Besides, your ex was probably a bum. Am I right?”
Biting her lip, Heather shook her head. As angry as she still was with Gary about his absence this morning, she wasn’t going to badmouth her son’s father to a near stranger like this.
“Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on your ex,” Linda continued.
“Oh no. I’m not. Not with Simon around—” Heather really did bite her tongue. The sudden rush of even more embarrassment made her wish the marble floor would open and swallow her whole. Talking to Linda felt like talking to a friend, and she had just blurted out something that was supposed to be secret.