LITMIR.BIZ

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that it changes anything.’ He burst her bubble of hope expertly and without waste of words. ‘Rochelle didn’t exactly deliver on your agency’s promise of “a reliable secretary with previous experience in busy, challenging office environments”, did she?’

      ‘No. She didn’t.’

      And, while Lily stood in his doorway and attempted to sort this out, she was at a distinct disadvantage. ‘I respect your concerns, and the distaste you must feel for all that you’ve been through. But I have an offer to make that can turn this situation into something more positive. I believe it will be in your company’s best interests to hear it.’

      After a long moment, he sighed and waved an arm towards the studded visitor’s chair that faced his desk. ‘All right, I suppose I can spare you a few minutes in comfort. If we’re lucky, the phone might even stay quiet for that long.’

      He didn’t clarify, ‘a few minutes to settle this permanently before I contact a more reliable agency and get them to send me a decent secretary’, but she had no doubt he thought it.

      ‘Thank you.’ She started towards the chair. ‘All I want is enough of your time to allow me to resolve this matter.’

      ‘As far as I’m concerned the matter is…’ His words faltered. His gaze locked on the movement of her hips beneath the conservative green skirt. His eyelids dropped, but not before she saw the mixture of knowledge and curiosity that confirmed his interest in her—willing or not.

      If she’d felt a certain tingling something just now too, well, that was because being here gave her the fidgets. It was nerves that sent ripply feelings down her spine, and made her skin feel too tight, certainly not some reaction to him.

      Even as she denied any interest in him, a small part of her catalogued the harsh face with its angry frown line and strong jaw, and the thick, dark brown hair.

      Lily shook her head and dragged her thoughts back to business. She would finish this. Then she would leave, with a dignified, impersonal handshake. This…interest, or whatever it was, would quickly be forgotten.

      ‘I hope you don’t expect to be paid for the week Rochelle stalked me around the office, ignored her work and made a mess of everything?’ Zachary gifted her with a glare from beneath his brows.

      ‘Certainly not.’ That loss of revenue was only one of her worries right now. ‘I would never ask such a thing of a valued employer.’

      ‘But you’re here to ask something.’

      ‘Yes, and please believe me when I say I do realise how serious this is.’ This was the most important part of her speech. The part that had to convince him to give Best Secretarial Agency a second chance.

      Yet now she struggled to drag the words from the recesses of her mind, and panic rippled. She needed this man’s forgiveness. If not that, then at least another chance to show him that her agency could live up to expectations.

      ‘You have every right to be affronted and offended. Repulsed, even.’ Her pencil flew across the notebook, recorded the basics of the conversation in the special, easy code learned through endless repetition.

      If the matter is in any way important, always keep a record. Even before her mentor had told her that, she had done so. Religiously, in fact, since she’d discharged herself from the hospital. Since she’d walked away from her parents’ shame, and from her broken dreams.

      Zach inclined his head. ‘It was a shock to enter my office and find…that. If I’d had anyone with me—’

      ‘It would have been even worse. I agree. And I didn’t mean you’d be repulsed, repulsed. That is, I’m sure the media testimonies to your, um, interest in women are true.’

      Oh, good heavens. Did she have to go on about that? She really needed to focus!

      ‘I’m relieved to know that the Powers That Be acknowledge my healthy heterosexuality.’ Sarcasm dripped from each word, but something in his glance revealed that at least some small degree of that healthy maleness was currently focussed on her.

      She came back to earth with a thump when he finished saying something and waited expectantly.

      Press rewind, and play back—no. Nothing. Whatever his words, she couldn’t remember them. Just that one little slip in concentration…

      A familiar icy feeling stole through her.

      Drat it, Lily. Keep your mind where it should be! Give yourself at least half a chance to get a positive outcome from this.

      ‘Yes, well, um…’ Oh, why had Rochelle done this awful thing? And with absolutely no sense of shame or remorse, before or after the event. ‘I apologise fully on behalf of Best Secretarial Agency for this unacceptable occurrence. I’ve let Rochelle go.’

      ‘I doubt you’ll consider it a loss.’ His mild nod of approval was at least something.

      ‘No. Most likely not.’ She might as well be honest about that. Her pencil continued to fly. ‘But let me present my offer.’

      He leaned forward, his expression intent and far from acquiescent. ‘I’d appreciate it if you’d keep it short.’

      ‘You’re in need of a replacement secretary. I’m ready and able to provide one.’ Each fact went into her notebook. ‘To ensure there will be no further difficulties, I want to send Deborah Martyn to you. Deb is my second-in-command, a middle-aged, reliable woman with a lot of office experience behind her.’

      She drew a hurried breath and went on. ‘I can have Deb here within…’ She checked her book rapidly and found the note stating Deborah’s availability. ‘Within the hour. As an added incentive, I’d like to offer an extra two weeks of work, free of charge, after the end of the existing contract. It can’t be easy to obtain a good secretary at a moment’s notice. This will save you the time and effort of that search.’

      Her breath stuck in her throat until she forced her lungs to move again. ‘I presume you haven’t already made alternative arrangements?’

      ‘I haven’t had time.’ He gave a mirthless laugh. ‘Let’s say I agreed to consider a replacement, which I haven’t.’

      She had expected some opposition, and sat forward, pencil poised. ‘Yes?’

      ‘I don’t think it would be wise to take on another unknown female, after the problems I’ve just experienced. Now if, instead of Deborah Martyn, you could give me a male secretary? Skilled? Fully experienced?’

      He emphasised each question with a tap of his finger against the blotter on his desk. ‘Preferably one with a wife and kids at home. Someone you can guarantee will be here to work and nothing else. I might consider that. Might.’

      No male employees, married or otherwise, existed in her retinue of available staff. She had no one to offer but Deborah—a wonderful worker, but definitely female. ‘Not a male, no, but I can assure you Deborah is a very happily married—’

      ‘Woman?’ He ran a hand over the back of his neck, said it as though the very word were a plague. Yet his gaze lingered on her.

      ‘A very responsible woman,’ Lily began, only to be stopped by an upraised hand.

      He shifted his focus beyond her to the outer office. ‘From my standpoint, it would seem safer to approach a different agency. One more established, perhaps, so that the reputation it’s built can truly be trusted.’

      ‘Please. I want the good will of your company.’ She had told herself she wouldn’t beg, but knew she was close to it right now.

      The ‘girls’ relied on her to keep them in work. All five were great women, and all needed the money brought in through their efforts. They were a tight little band, formed within the first month of the agency’s opening nine months ago. Rochelle had come later, and had never really fitted in. Lily should have asked herself the reason for that, should

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