The Best Is Yet to Come (The Best Girls 0.50)

“I suppose that means you’ll have some very early morning phone conferences. Perhaps you’ll need to go to sleep early as well. The change of schedule could be good for you.” He held his stare with the intensity born of a head-splitting migraine, until Jeff finally averted his eyes.

“Jared is supposed to be working on that deal, too,” he contended.

“But Jared is new. You have the lead on the Bern merger, and you’re responsible for the report. So don’t try to push this off on him. This is your assignment.” He turned his attention to his computer. “That will be all, Mr. Murphy,” he said, without looking up.

Jeff made a comment under his breath, and left the room. A moment later, Katie entered with a glass of water and four ibuprofens.

He shook his head as he accepted her offering with gratitude. “Ms. Carson, how am I ever going to replace you? How did you know I had a headache?”

She chuckled. “Perhaps the fact you were holding your head with both hands when I glanced in the room a minute ago clued me in.”

“Still… No one else would notice. And Gary doesn’t need you like I need you.” He tried to bat his eyes and look like a sad puppy.

Her eyes rolled around in her head. “Mr. Gherring, it won’t work. I’ve enjoyed working for you… well, most of the time… but I’m leaving in January when Gary and I get married. But don’t worry—I promise to train your new executive assistant to watch for signs of a headache.”

When she left him alone, he laid his head on his arms and closed his eyes. He refused to think about losing her. He hated breaking in a new assistant. Why had he introduced her to Gary? He was losing his best buddy and his secretary at the same time.

Gherring heard Katie’s voice on the intercom. “Mr. Gherring? Alexander Klein on line one.”

“Thank you, Ms. Carson.” He let out a sigh. Back to work. And he needed to be on his toes for this client. Klein was an important business prospect. Steven was extremely interested in forming a cooperative agreement with Klein’s company in Germany. Although he could speak German, he knew Klein’s English was flawless, so there was no need to speak Klein’s language.

“Mr. Klein, it’s good to hear from you.”

“Please, call me Alexander.”

“Great, and you can call me Steven, as well. So, you’ve read the material I sent you? Are you interested in

further discussion about doing business together?”

“Yes. Actually, I was calling to tell you that we are planning to come to New York for your International Business Conference. My wife, Johanna, will be accompanying me.”

“Yes, I remember Johanna. Your wife is a lovely woman. Please give her my regards. And you’ll stay and attend the gala?”

“That is the current plan. So, we can find a time to talk privately during that week? I realize you will be very busy...”

“I will absolutely make time for a private conference. I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to connect you to Ms. Carson to schedule a time right away. My calendar is pretty crowded.”

Satisfied prospects were good with Alexander, Gherring attacked his unanswered emails, determined to eliminate the task from his to-do list. He worked through lunch and was still engrossed when Katie came into the office with a determined expression.

“Mr. Gherring. It’s almost time to begin the interviews. Have you looked at any of the resumes?”

“No,” he replied, without glancing up from his computer. “I’ve been busy with more important things.”

“Mr. Gherring.” He glanced up to find Katie conjuring a stern expression. “There’s nothing more important right now than these interviews.”

He scowled back until she dropped her gaze. “Please, Mr. Gherring. Just give them a chance.”

He pressed on his temples. Was his headache coming back? He gave in to the inevitable. “Bring the first one in.”

Katie pushed open the heavy doors and called out a name. Gherring heard her heels tapping out a confident rhythm as the candidate approached the doorway, but he ignored her as he flipped through her resume and attached letters of recommendation. He didn’t bother to look up, even after he’d finished perusing her papers. Instead, he went back to his emails, ignoring her presence altogether.

Katie said, “Uhmm, you can have a seat, Ms. Whitley. Would you like something to drink while you wait?”

This was a part of Gherring’s routine. He liked to see how potential employees responded to uncomfortable situations, to test their poise and composure.

“No, thank you.” Her voice was confident. Unruffled. Well, he’d see how long that lasted.

“Ms. Hartley, why do you want this job?” He deliberately called her by a different name to test her reaction. His eyes rose from his desk to fix her with a stare. She was a thin, beautiful blond, with flawlessly applied makeup. Her suit-dress was the perfect choice for an interview at a prestigious company. She looked... too perfect, he decided. This one was too perfect. She wasn’t real. His gut told him if he hired her, she would surprise him with some nasty personality trait at a later time. He dismissed her without another thought, but he had to get through the interview.