“No,” I said with a short giggle. “You’re about to get promoted.” Lacy followed me out of the elevator and into Starbucks. I ordered a tea; she ordered the largest, most potent coffee I thought Starbucks sold.
As we took a seat, she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath before looking at me and speaking.
“I don’t ever talk like that, and I’m sure you’re going to say, ‘Sure you don’t,’ but I felt like I connected immediately with you, as strange as that sounds. We’re both the same age … I think … and, well, it’s not an excuse for bashing my boss and all.”
Holding up my hand, I leaned toward her and said, “Breathe, Lacy. It’s okay. Most people take one look at me and don’t utter a word. I’m glad you spoke up. I want to know if these kinds of things are happing at CMI. First things first though. I want you tomorrow to report directly to my office at eight. I’ll let my assistant know to be expecting you.”
“O-kay. May I ask why?”
With a smile, I said, “I’m moving you up to be my executive assistant.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “But … but … Marge?”
“Is amazing and going nowhere, but she actually needs some additional help. I’m going to be starting a few new projects, and I’m going to need someone who is crazy about numbers to head it up.”
“Head it up?”
I took a sip of my tea. “Yes. You stated you’re a numbers kind of gal.”
Her head nodded frantically.
“Good. When you go back upstairs, I want you to go to Marge’s desk. She’ll be expecting you. She’ll help you with the transfer and alert your previous boss so that it’s all taken care of by tomorrow.”
Lacy’s mouth opened and closed a few times before she finally stood and rushed over to me, hugging me.
“I know this is so inappropriate, but I don’t re
ally care! I’m so happy!”
With a few pats on her back, I urged her to sit back down.
“So, I’ve got to run.”
Lacy grinned like a schoolgirl. “I’ll see you in the morning, Lacy.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Standing, I gave her a soft grin then made my way to the door. My body ached to be in Tucker’s arms and with how pissed off I was right now, I really needed a distraction.
When I got outside, I hailed a taxi, pulled up Marge’s number, and waited for her to answer.
“I thought you were taking the rest of the day off.”
Smirking, I replied, “I am. There’s a young woman my age headed up to your office in the next few minutes. Lacy Stark. She’s my new executive administrator, and you’re going to oversee her work.
“Oh, finally you found someone you liked.”
Marge had been asking me for weeks to hire another assistant. The poor woman worked long hours and never complained, and I knew she wanted someone new to help offset the load. I had other plans for Lacy though. I had a feeling this girl wouldn’t be my assistant for long.
“Find out who her worthless boss is and have him meet me in my office at seven forty-five tomorrow morning. Sharp.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
“Yes, have someone from HR in there as well.”
“This just got interesting. Anything else?”
“Make sure Lacy is moved up to the top floor by the end of the day.”