XOXO (The Calvettis of New York 3)

“You wanted to see me, sir,” she says as if it’s any other morning.

“Close the door behind you, Arietta.”

She steps in just far enough to swing the door shut behind her. Once she’s done that, she backs up until her ass is resting against the door.

Her ass.

If it’s as curvy as the rest of her, it’s perfection.

I wish to hell she had offered her roommate a view of that in the form of a picture.

I shake off that thought.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Her voice remains steady, calm even. “That email was supposed to go to my roommate. I was frustrated when I wrote it. I don’t think you’re a dick.”

I fight to ward off the smile I feel inside. “I’ve been called much worse, Arietta.”

“You have?” Surprise taints her tone.

I won’t go into specifics, but I know my reputation. I haven’t gotten to where I am in life by making nice with everyone I meet. The world is a cold place designed to reward those who fight for what they want. I’ve done that, and I’ve been compensated kindly for it.

“I didn’t mean it when I wrote that you’re a cruel bastard either.” She tests her luck by sneaking that in. “I felt frustrated because of the woman who called earlier.”

There’s no way in hell I’m diving into a conversation with Arietta about a former lover of mine.

“She likes you a lot, sir,” she persists. “I think she feels something special for you.”

Since I feel nothing for whoever it was, it’s irrelevant.

I am crystal clear with the women I spend time with. We have dinner. We fuck. We say goodbye.

They know that before they take their first sip of wine.

“I appreciate your concern, Miss Voss,” I lie. “However, my personal life and how I conduct it is not up for discussion.”

Speaking of which, realizing how hypocritical it is, I still ask the question that’s been perched on my tongue since she walked into my office. “Did you cancel your date for this evening?”

Her gaze drops to the phone in her hand. “Not yet. I believe that whatever you need me to do tonight, I can finish before six. This date is important to me, sir.”

“Is it with your boyfriend?”

No part of that question is related to my position as her boss. I want to know if she’s seeing someone.

“Lowell and I haven’t met yet,” she says his name, and I immediately feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

What kind of name is that? He’s probably coasting along at an Ivy League school thanks to his old-money family.

“You haven’t met yet?” I repeat her words back.

“We’ve talked for hours.” Her eyes dart up as her lips curl into a grin. “We connected on a dating app.”

She’s searching for a man on a dating app? She’s brilliant, well educated, insightful, and kind. Any man would be fortunate to be in her presence.

What the fuck is wrong with the men in this city?

“I shouldn’t say anymore.” She levels her gaze on mine. “You said our personal lives aren’t up for discussion.”

I sure as hell did not say that, but I admire her for pushing back.

“Tell Lowell that you need to postpone.” Disdain drips from my tone as I say his name. “I need you to restructure the filing system. I want every client’s file entered into the computer.”

Her mouth drops open. “Tonight?”

“You’ll start on it tonight. I expect you to have it all completed by Monday.”

“I have to work all weekend?”

“You’ve been asking for this for months, Arietta.” I’m not above pettiness. She did call me a dick and a cruel bastard in that email. “Didn’t you say it would streamline our system?”

Her gaze drops to the floor. “Yes, I did say that.”

I open my laptop. “Get started now, Miss Voss.”

Mumbling something under her breath, she nods before she turns, opens the door of my office, and walks out.

Chapter 14

Arietta

I shove another piece of ginger beef into my mouth as I watch the expression on Maren’s face. It turns from shock to concern almost instantly.

“Arietta,” she says my name in one long slow breath. “You could have been fired for sending him that email.”

Sinclair nods her head. “That’s what I said.”

Both of my best friends were kind enough to buy dinner and bring it to my office. I’ve been here since seven this morning, and since it’s now twelve hours later, I needed food and friendship. This time in the break room with them will give me the energy I need to power through the next few hours until I head home to bed.

Maren slides her fingers through her curly red hair. I catch sight of her wedding rings. I always feel happy when I see them. Maren fell in love with her boss Keats Morgan, and now they’re married and expecting their first baby together.