"Why don't you just tell him? You guys are sleeping together, right?"
Ice water couldn't have been colder than the feeling that raced through her. She turned and looked over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes just a little. "That's none of your business, but if you want to keep your job, then make sure you tell Gina why you're not here today."
"Of course. Just saying." The girl shrugged, as if she had done nothing wrong.
"Well, don't, and watch yourself." Jamie turned and pinned her with a hard stare as she nodded and walked out nonchalantly.
Really? Shit. Does no one have a sense of modesty anymore?
She and Alex hadn't been flaunting their relationship, and, whereas everyone knew about it, it wasn't because they were making out in the halls and holding hands in the cafeteria. Alex was clear to everyone, including investors, that Jamie wasn't just his personal assistant, but his girlfriend as well.
"And he should be. It's open disclosure. Bitch," Jamie mumbled under her breath as she walked back to the office.
Mark glanced up and lifted his eyebrow. "Something happen?"
"No. Yes. I don't know." She closed the door and took her seat across from him again. "I heard there was a robbery in or around the neighborhood Alex lives in, and I need to ask him about the alarm system."
"I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, but go check with him. I'll wait." Mark leaned back and put his hands behind his head. "Hell, all I've got is time right now."
"No, it's fine. One of the interns just made a comment about me sleeping with Alex, which irked me."
"That's not appropriate. It's none of their damn business." Mark's brows drew in tight.
"I agree! That's what I told them." Jamie shook her head. "Whatever. Not my problem. If she brings it up again, I'll talk with HR."
"She's jealous. They probably all are. You're dating the boss, which they think gives you extra power."
"Um, no. It gives me more work, more stress, and more of a need to impress him. Loving him makes me want to pull out all the stops. It's exhausting most days." Jamie pulled the résumé in front of Mark toward her and leaned over, trying to focus and force the anger that was bubbling in her belly to subside.
"I get that totally." Mark reached over and ran his finger over the top line on the paper. "I'm not sure if you guys have an accounting department, seeing as how you do finance, but I took most of my business electives in accounting. It's my minor."
Jamie looked up and smiled. "We sure do. I actually have quite a few projects that are accounting-related. This is great news."
"So, I'm hired?" Mark lifted his eyebrows.
"You knew that, silly. We just needed to see where you'll be spending your time."
"Easiest damn interview I've ever had," he chuckled.
"Right, but don't think the job will be that way at all. Your brother’s a slave-driver, without compassion," she teased him. Well, sort of.
"I grew up with him. I'm well aware." He stood up and grinned, rubbing his hands together. "So... when do I start?"
Chapter 2
After getting Mark started on a simple reconciliation project for the annual tax files that would be due in the next few weeks, Jamie stopped by Alex's office to see if he was available. Gina gave her a look as she lifted her hand to knock on the door, which caused her to pause.
"What's up?" Jamie asked.
"He's in a mood all of a sudden. Something about an unexpected audit. I don't know, but if you value your head, make sure you don't do anything that might have you losing it." She shrugged. "I have a sewing kit out here, though. I'll help you sew it back on if you need me to."
Jamie smirked. "That bad?"
"That bad, girl. That bad."
She knocked once more before slipping through a small crack between the door and the jamb, closing it quietly behind her. The sound of Alex's voice told her that Gina wasn't at all exaggerating. It had been a while since she'd heard him sound so upset.
"I understand that completely." He glanced up from his pacing, and pressed his finger to his lips as if to warn her not to say a word. She nodded. "What I don't understand is you thinking that we need this audit before it's due. We only do this type of audit every three years. It's been two. You're being irrational."