“It depends on how soon I can find a replacement for you. And how soon you can get him or her trained.”
He covered her hand with his, and her skin sizzled. “Personality and integrity are key for this position. Everything else can be taught.” His expression grew earnest. She ought to be flattered. “The people in Bern loved you, Anne. You can’t believe how many people told me they want to work with you in the future. So why aren’t you happy? Are you nervous? Because I know you’ll do a great job. I’m never wrong about these things.”
What could she say? How could she explain to him why she wasn’t thrilled? She couldn’t even explain it to herself. She thought of a practical question. “Who’d be training me?”
“I thought maybe Shanna Matheson might take you under her wing. She’ll be back from maternity leave in December. Jared’s a little green or I’d pair you with him. Would you rather have someone else?”
“You do realize I don’t know anything except the stuff I learned in one day? Just the stuff I needed to understand how to prepare Jeff’s presentation? I don’t really understand all the different concepts.”
“What impressed me was not your understanding of the concepts, but how easily and quickly you managed to grasp those ideas. Some people study for years to learn what you picked up in a few hours.”
“Oh… Okay.”
He frowned. “Usually people respond more positively to my praise.” He bent his head toward her. “What gives?”
“I… I don’t know. I’m really honored and flattered… I mean… thanks, I’ll do my best. I’ll try to get my replacement trained quickly.” She bit her lip.
“Are you afraid? Is it too much responsibility?”
“No… maybe… Yes, I guess that’s it.” She peered into his eyes. “What if I can’t do it? And then…” She looked back down. “And then you’ll already have a new PA already. and I won’t have a job.”
One side of his mouth quirked upward. “I guess we could wait to get your replacement.”
“Really?”
“You don’t have to take the promotion at all if you really don’t want it.”
“You mean you’d let me stay if I wanted to?”
He looked up at the ceiling and blinked his eyes. “I really don’t understand you at all.” Then his eyes locked with hers. “Is that what you want?”
“No, I think I want the job. But… well… it seemed like you might want…” She finally blinked and looked away. “You seem to want a different PA.”
“So you do want the job? But you don’t want me to get a new PA? I’m so confused—”
“Ha! You think you’re confused!” She wanted the new job, but she didn’t want to quit her old one. And she wanted him to offer her the promotion, but she wanted him to be at least a little sad about it. He just seemed too happy about replacing her—like he wouldn’t miss her at all. But of course he wouldn’t miss her, not like she would miss him. And she needed to stop thinking like that so she could help Gram find him a wife.
“Ms. Best?” his deep intense voice compelled her attention.
“Yes, Mr. Gherring?”
“What would make you happy? What job would you really like at Gherring Inc.?”
“Honestly? Mr. Gherring—you are Gherring Inc. Right now I help you with everything you do. Aren’t I more valuable as your assistant than I would be in CMA?”
“I don’t know. You’ve done quite a bit more than an PA usually does. You’ve learned technical specifics about an area of the company and accomplished work I would’ve had to do myself. That’s way more than being a personal assistant.”
“Oh wow! That’s a great idea!”
“What idea?”
“That I’ll be your expanded-duty personal assistant. I can learn about everything you do and take some of your workload—that sounds awesome!”
“Is that what I said?”
“That’s what I heard. Isn’t that what you said?” Then she sat up and grabbed his arm. “Just one thing—do I still get a raise?”
He closed his eyes for a long moment and then started chuckling. After he caught his breath, he turned back to her. “So, Ms. Best?”