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

“No. I’m afraid not. We’re an international trade company with holdings...” His voice trailed off as realization flooded his consciousness. “You mean you really have no idea who I am? No idea at all?” He noticed Katie standing near the coffee pot, struggling to control her mirth.

“Well, no. I’m sorry. The recruiter just said y’all were in the Town Center Economic Tower, on the top floor.”

“Yes,” said Gherring with exasperation. “That’s because we, or I, own the tower. I’m the chairman of Gherring Inc.”

It was preposterous. Amazing, but prepost

erous. This woman who’d somehow captivated his interest in a matter of minutes had no earthly idea who he was. The one time when he would have been glad to use his fame to secure her attention, his notoriety had no effect whatsoever. He’d never felt so powerless.

“Nice to meet you, again, Mr. Gherring.” She smiled sardonically. “You’ve probably heard of me as well. Anne Best? Sole owner of a twenty five hundred square foot home in Weatherford, Texas?”

He closed his slack jaw with effort. For the first time in his life, he had no idea how to proceed. “You’re not what I expected, Ms. Best.”

“Neither are you, Mr. Gherring.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. He watched as a myriad of emotions flashed across her face. When two bright red spots appeared on her cheeks, she grabbed her glass and gulped the water so rapidly she began to choke.

“Are you alright, Ms. Best?” He thought to pound her on the back, but decided she might run away again if he attempted to touch her.

She nodded furiously, while obviously trying to regain her composure.

Gherring picked up the paper Katie had presented him before the interview. “Let’s talk about your qualifications for this job. You have a B.A. in Chemistry, and you worked part time as a travel agent. Hmmm….”

He stared at her resume. Then he flipped the single page over to see the blank backside.

“You don’t seem to have any actual experience as a personal executive assistant. Am I missing something, Ms. Best?”

Her eyes flashed with anger again and she propped her hands on her hips. He’d seen that look on Gram’s face before, but no one else had dared to look at him like that.

“Well, if a personal executive assistant is someone who organizes someone’s life and work, acquires all the needed tools and supplies, keeps the person’s schedule, finds calm in the midst of chaos, and works countless hours in a thankless job... What you really need is a mother, and I have twenty-three years of experience!”

A painful silence fell on the room. He contemplated the woman, Anne Best, who sat a few feet away from him. He was at a loss. What was he supposed to do about her? She really had no qualifications for the job. But if he didn’t hire her, she would walk out of the office, fly back to Texas, and he would never see her again. Something told him he would regret it for the rest of his life if he let her go.

Finally, he broke the silence. “Well, Ms. Best…” He spoke in a deliberate voice, but he couldn’t quite hide the hint of a smile. “You make an interesting argument. Perhaps you’re just what I need. It might be an absolute disaster. But somehow, I think I’d always wonder what would’ve happened if I didn’t give you a try.”

He warmed at the thought of having her near him every day. She would be tempting and trying, complicated and obstinate, sweet and gentle, alluring and aloof. Anne Best would be many things, but she would not be boring.

“You’ll begin in two weeks on Monday at eight a.m. sharp. There will be a three-month trial period. Please talk to Ms. Carson about the details. Thank you.”

He immediately turned his attention to his laptop, pretending to read and answer emails. He maintained a calm, unperturbed appearance, even as he felt his heart racing. He felt… What was it? He felt challenged. He felt anticipation. He felt alive.

From the corner of his eye he saw her stand up. She remained standing in front of the desk, as if she were waiting for him to change his mind. After several moments, he looked up, his eyes locked with hers in a powerful, magnetic gaze. He stood up unhurriedly, moving carefully so as not to frighten her. He leaned across the desk and reached out to touch her hand. He felt the sizzle of her touch deep inside.

“Did you want to say something else, Ms. Best?” He bit his lip to stop himself from laughing at her startled expression.

She jerked her hand away as if it’d been burned. “No... Just... thank you. You won’t regret it!” She backed away awkwardly before bolting from the room.

“I hope you’re right,” he murmured, watching her fleeing form.

Katie stared at him, her mouth agape.

“What? I hired someone. Are you happy?”

“Yes, Mr. Gherring. Astonished, but happy,” she said, as a huge smile slid onto her face. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to your new personal executive assistant before the clock strikes twelve and her carriage turns into a pumpkin.”

Chapter Five

“I’ve reserved the ballroom for the International Gala,” said Katie as they reviewed their progress on Tuesday morning. “And I reserved a bank of rooms at the Hyatt.”

“And the conference rooms?” asked Gherring.