After All - Romancing Manhattan

But being gone on Friday means I have a to-do list the length of my leg to work on today.

Few people are here this early, so I go ahead and make a pot of coffee in the lounge, then carry a fresh cup to my desk and get settled. I’ve managed to work my way through a third of my list before the other assistants walk in, waving on their way to fetch their own coffee, and maybe some for their bosses as well.

It’s just before eight when Carter walks in, nods at me, and walks into his office. I hate that I can’t jump up, throw my arms around his neck, and kiss him. I can’t even show that I’m happy to see him.

This whole no-frat policy sucks big-time.

A half hour after Carter arrived, he walks to my desk and passes me the Dickinson file, then returns to his office.

I bite my lip and open the file.

N—

Good morning, darling. You look beautiful today, but then you look beautiful every day. Just heard from Finn that London has a show opening this Friday night, and we’re all invited, of course. I’d like to take you with us.

—C

I smile and shred the note, but before I can reply, my phone rings.

“This is Nora.”

“Hey, it’s Sienna. Do you have time to come to my office so I can bounce some thoughts off you?”

“Sure, I’m on my way.”

“Thank you.”

I shut down the computer, and grab my tablet, then walk down to Sienna’s tidy office. She’s sitting at her desk, her head in her hands.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

“Is Mary in HR always a royal pain in the ass? I’m trying to hire an assistant here, and she’s dragging her damn feet.”

“Lately, yes, she is a pain in the ass . . . so you decided on one?”

“Two, actually, and that’s why I called you. I need to make a final decision this morning, and these two candidates are both more than qualified. I liked them both. So I thought I could use a second set of eyes and ears.”

“Sure, who did you narrow it down to?”

She passes me the two résumés, and I remember them both from last week’s interviews.

“Good choices,” I say with a nod. “I liked them both, too.”

“Not helping. Did you like one of them better?”

I sigh, thinking it over. “Alice seemed more go-gettery, you know? But Victoria was calm and seemed more laid back.”

“Yeah,” Sienna says. “I’m leaning toward Victoria, now that you say that. I need someone willing to go with the flow.”

“I think she’d be a good choice.”

Sienna nods and then tilts her head as she examines my face. “Is everything okay with you?”

“Sure, why?”

“You look . . . concerned.”

I sigh. I want to confide in her. I need to. So I stand and close her office door, then return to my seat.

“Must be good,” she says.

“Carter invited me to go to London’s show on Friday, and I don’t have anything to wear.”

Sienna frowns. “Wait. Are you two dating?”

“You mean Quinn hasn’t said anything to you?”

“Noooo,” she says slowly. “What’s going on?”

“Well, I’m dating Carter. I guess that’s what you’d say.”

“Are you going out on dates?”

“Yes.”

“Then yes, you’re dating.” Sienna grins. “And good for both of you.”

“Thanks. But it’s complicated, and please don’t say anything here at work because we have to pretend that we’re not dating when we’re here.”

“No-frat policy,” she says with a nod. “I get it. I fell in love with Quinn when we were working together.”

“That’s right.” I scoot to the edge of my seat. I’ve found a kindred spirit. “Didn’t you feel guilty?”

“Oh yeah,” she says with a nod. “He was opposing counsel.”

“Yikes.”

“You’re not kidding. But we were so attracted to each other, you know?”

“Yeah.” I swallow and nod slowly. “I know. It’s new, but I know.”

“Quinn just told me about the show on Friday, and I don’t have anything to wear either. Let me call London right now and we’ll have a girls’ shopping spree.”

“Oh, you don’t have to—”

“Hold on,” she interrupts and lifts her phone, dials a number and waits for an answer. “Hey girl, I’m gonna put you on speaker. Nora’s with me.”

She pushes a button.

“There.”

“Hi, Nora,” London says cheerfully through the phone. “What’s up, ladies?”

“First, congrats on the show opening this Friday,” Sienna says.

“Oh! Thanks. I’m so sorry for the late notice. I thought I’d already told the guys about opening night, and this morning Finn said that I hadn’t.”

“It’s totally okay, but we don’t have anything to wear,” Sienna replies. “So we need a girls’ evening of shopping. When are you free?”

“Tonight,” London says. “In fact, tonight’s my only night. Starting tomorrow we have evening dress rehearsals.”

“Perfect,” Sienna says. “Nora? Does tonight work?”

“Sure,” I reply. “Sounds like fun.”

“Oh, it’s going to be better than fun,” London says with a laugh. “It’s shopping. And I need a girls’ night STAT. YAY! Thanks for calling.”