His Temporary Assistant

“Bless you, Lu.”

Taking no chances, I folded up my backup ballet flats and tucked them away in my purse. Then I grabbed the bag and flew out the door. Driving would take longer than walking with morning traffic. Never mind trying to find a damn parking spot in Kensington Square.

I cut through the shortcut and was glad to see the kids weren’t outside playing today. The sun was too hot for blacktop kickball. They were probably down at the community pool.

I faltered as the bakery came into sight.

Bribe?

Nope. No way was I testing the gods again there.

I crossed the street to the Shaws’ office building and hurried inside, my heels clicking on the tiled floor of the lobby.

Dread filled my belly as I took the elevator to their floor. Seventeen after the hour.

Late again.

I glanced down at my hands and groaned. I was still

covered in paint and ink. “Way to go, Ry,” I muttered just as the doors opened.

The elder Shaw was waiting for me. Or the elevator. But he got me.

Ugh.

“Miss Moon, you are late.”

“Aware.”

The older man—who looked far too much like PMS in a slimy, slick, distrustful way—arched a brow at me. “No excuse?”

I flipped my heavy fall of hair over my shoulder. “Would you believe it if I had one?”

His chin lifted. “I understand you’re only a temp, but two days in a row is unprofessional.”

“How do you know I was late yesterday? I don’t punch a time clock.”

He said nothing.

PMS had ratted me out. Good to know.

“Not the only way you’ve been unprofessional,” he added as if I’d not questioned him at all.

I could literally feel every one of my vertebrae locking into place as I stood up straighter. “Is that right?”

“April is an exemplary employee, and my son took her word that you would be a good fit. She was clearly mistaken.”

Isaac Shaw was not as tall as his son, and I could stare him directly in the eye. “I’m doing a favor for both of you. And believe me, the fact that April is one of my very best friends is the only reason I walked in these doors at all.”

“Then perhaps you should turn around and walk right out. You aren’t responsible enough to show up on time, and you’ve already shown your propensity for public displays. Who knows what else you might do to besmirch our firm?”

“My propensity?” I took a step closer until I was definitely far too close for comfort, but my temper always got me into trouble. “Oh, honey, I think you’re doing the besmirching all on your own.”

Crimson raced up his neck. “How dare you.”

“I don’t need you, darlin’. You need me. There’s a difference when there’s that kind of power exchange. Then again, you probably don’t understand those kind of roles since you and Admin Barbie had to sneak off and feed each other shrimp by the fire on the other side of town so your wife wouldn’t find out.”

Elder Shaw had the same jaw tic as his son, but I didn’t find it at all intriguing.