Jamie swallowed. They were crossing a line she wasn’t sure they should cross, or even sure if they’d already crossed it.
Alex seemed to realize it as well at the same time. He straightened suddenly and dropped her hand. “I mean, I’d be lost without you as my assistant. Nobody can do what you do. I’d never be able to
hire someone else because they don’t exist. You’re like part superwoman or something.” He grinned, but it looked forced.
Maybe Mark had been right about his brother's feelings after all. But thinking about Mark reminded her why they were there. "What’re you planning to do about your family?"
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as if he suddenly had a bad headache. "I'll go to see them," he said finally.
“You will?” She couldn’t hide the relief in her voice.
"But only if you come with me.” He shocked her with his words. “You’re the only person I trust with this information. We can continue to work and make sure the company runs smoothly."
He had somehow managed to turn this personal trip into something business related. She understood his reasoning, but was unsure if she could keep her feelings just business. However, he needed her. It terrified and exhilarated her at the same time. She would never understand why he had so much faith in her. "Okay." Jamie nodded slowly. "I'll go. Mark said they still were at the same address an—”
"I know the place." Alex reached for his beer and finished it.
Chapter 10
They drove home in silence. As they pulled into the long drive to Alex’s house, he began to talk. “If you are uncomfortable coming…”
“I’ll be fine. I can get things sorted in the office tomorrow, clear your schedule, and make sure there is a temp to cover for Gina if she’s still stick.” She pulled her phone out and saw she had missed a call from Nicholas and a message from Gina. “Looks like Gina’s back in business.”
“Good.” He pulled his car into the garage. “Are you sure you’re okay to come?” He turned the ignition off and turned to face her.
She hesitated, unsure if he was having second thoughts about inviting her along. Maybe it had been heat of the moment and now, having a chance to think about it, he probably wasn’t sure he wanted her around his family. He might be embarrassed. “It’s up to you, Alex. I can come with you or I can stay here and manage the office.” She bit her lip, hoping her reply would let him decide what he wanted and not force her to make the decision.
Alex opened his car door and got out. “Fine. I’ll let you know in the morning.” He walked toward the door leading to his house as Jamie got out. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Jamie. Thanks.” He disappeared behind the door, letting it automatically shut behind him.
Jamie stood in the garage alone and finally moved when the automatic garage door opener light shut off. She moved quickly then, feeling awkward. She headed out the side door and walked around to her suite. The sun had set and the automatic lights blinked on as she passed them. The night sky already had stars sprinkling across it like sparkly dust. She didn’t know what to think or how to stop her brain from thinking about Alex.
Maybe it would be better if she didn’t go. She was trying so hard to keep her heart out of her job, but her feelings kept jumping back in. She wanted Alex to see his family, to be able to say good-bye to his father, however, did she really need to be there? At times it felt like Alex was pulling her towards him and then it felt like he was pushing her away. He made it clear that he needed her as his PA, nothing more. He’d just gone away with some woman for shit’s sake! He didn’t want her in his bed. She’d keep everything professional. If he wanted her to come to—where were they going, anyway? She kicked a small stone on the sidewalk. If he needed her to come along, it would be completely business related. Nothing more. There would be no personal interruption on her part. She could keep it all professional. Again.
She unlocked her apartment door and slapped her forehead when she stepped inside. Shit! She was going to have to ask him for a ride into work tomorrow. She had left with him and her car was still in the parking garage at work. Again.
Her phone vibrated in her jacket pocket. She pulled it out and saw Nicholas’ name on the screen. “Not now,” she muttered, tempted to send her phone to call-answer. Instead, she shrugged out of her jacket as she swiped her phone. “Hey Nicholas.” She needed to tell him she wasn’t interested in dating. At least not now.
"Hello, Jamie," Nicholas replied, sounding cheerful. Jamie's stomach churned. Either she would lead him on or totally spoil his good mood. Then Nicholas surprised her. He cleared his throat. "You probably think I'm about to ask you to dinner, but I'm actually calling to give you an out."
"An out?"
“Yeah, you see, on my way home from work, I went to stop at my favorite watering hole for a drink. It’s a local dive. Great chicken wings.” He hesitated, as if waiting for her to say something. Jamie didn’t know what to say. “I noticed Mr. Alex Reid in the corner, by the moose. You were there. It looked like a pretty intense conversation, you didn’t even notice me.”
Jamie groaned. "It's not what you think," she said. "He's my boss. We were just having a quick business meeting. Nothing more." Lame. Real lame, Jamie.
"You don't have to explain yourself, Jamie," Nicholas said. "It really isn't any of my business. Whatever the meeting was about, I saw the way you looked at him and I know you’re not available for dinner." Jamie was silent, too embarrassed to say anything. Nicholas chuckled kindly. "Listen, no hard feelings, okay? I'm still happy to meet you for dinner if you want."
He wasn’t going to let her off that easy, was he? She was passing up on a real sweetie. Alex had mentioned Nicholas wasn’t poor and he didn’t trust the guy. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
"Alex and I aren’t dating."
“Yet.” He chuckled. “Don’t let him be an idiot and screw it up. Look, I’ve got to go. Keep my number, if things change.”
“I will. Sure. Thanks. Uh, see ya?” She knew she sounded like an idiot, but she didn’t know what else to say. After she hung up, Jamie threw herself down on her bed. Nicholas was right. She couldn't deny she had feelings for Alex that were far from professional, regardless of what his own feelings were. She was fooling herself if she thought she could keep it professional. It wasn’t going to happen.
She wanted to scream in her pillow.
Damn it! First, she fell in love with the boss' son and let that crash and burn. And now she was in love with her boss.