Falling for Fate (12 page)

So she was on her own now. Luckily, she’d found Gwen, another marketing assistant at Maxwell who needed a roommate. Gwen also had connections at Lux and had helped her get the part-time job she needed to be able to afford her mother’s rehab and her half of the rent. Funny, she’d thought that, after college, she’d be married and done with Ramen noodles. But here she was, back at square one. It was starting to feel like square negative one.

Glancing at her pale reflection in the mirror, she splashed some water on her face and pulled her hair into a ponytail. She needed a haircut. And a nice, long day in the sun.

Oh well. It wasn’t like she had anyone to impress. After trying to be perfect for Trevor Harris for four long years, it was kind of nice to just…
be.

S
unday night Fate was barely able to keep her eyes open. Between Maxwell and Lux, she’d worked more than sixty hours that week. And here she was about to begin another one.

“Gwen, we’ve run them three different ways. If the Daniel Maxwell’s pretty-boy son can’t see what a difference it would make to pull organ transport in-house, then he’s a frickin’ moron.”

Fate rubbed her eyes. She was exhausted. Her shift at Lux had run an hour over since the girl scheduled to relieve her hadn’t shown and she’d been stuck pulling double-duty bartending. Because the universe liked to add layers of suck to her life, management had given her a new uniform. Instead of the black shirt and pants she’d been wearing, she’d now be donning a black cocktail dress that was a size too small and didn’t leave nearly enough to the imagination. That’s what she got for mentioning that she had bartending experience.

“Oh my God,” Gwen announced, her eyes wide as she clamped a hand over her mouth. “I almost forgot.”

Dread filled her from the inside out. “If it means running these numbers again, please feel free to keep forgetting,” she pleaded.

“No, not about that. The boss’s son. I met him. After you left the club Friday night.”

“So he showed after all?” Fate wasn’t upset about having missed him, but the fact that he had been an hour late to his own party was annoying. It also made her wonder what his work ethic would be like.

“Um, yeah. Boy did he. And he asked about you.”

Fate yawned again. “I must be really sleepy because I could’ve sworn you just said he asked about me.”

“I can’t believe I forgot to mention it. Well, you’re never here—so yeah, I can believe I forgot. But right after you stepped out, he came over and asked who the woman was that had been sitting with me. I told him I wasn’t in the habit of giving out personal information about my friends. He laughed and introduced himself. Said he thought he knew you from somewhere.”

She stared at her roommate for a minute, trying to think of any way she might’ve known him. “He must’ve had me confused with someone else. He wasn’t at my interview. An intimidating older woman from human resources conducted my interview.”

Gwen nodded. “Right. I know. Mine too. I told him you weren’t from around here so he must be mistaken. He dropped it but he looked super disappointed. And by the way, he’s smokin’ hot. Like holy-damp-panties hot.”

Fate laughed. “Good to know. His dad’s not bad to be in his fifties or so. But he’s a Gropey McGrabby Hands. So look out for that.” Fate detailed her encounter with Mr. Maxwell at Lux, making a point to reiterate to her friend that she didn’t want everyone knowing that she had a second job.

Gwen smiled and tilted her head towards her. “I know we’ve only known each other a few months, but I promise I know how to keep my mouth shut. Everyone has stuff they want to keep private, and it’s not my place to go around telling your business. Hence why I didn’t blab your stats to Tall, Dark, and Smoldery Friday night. Even though…”

“Even though what?”

Her roommate’s smile was a nervous one, not the usual wide grin she wore. “Even though I haven’t seen you so much as go out on a date in the whole three months we’ve lived together. And our brand-spanking-new boss looks like he knows how to show a girl a good time. Or several good times. Mmm and speaking of spanking…”

Fate almost spit out the mouthful of wine she’d been about to swallow. “No one’s speaking of spanking.”

“That’s because you didn’t see him.” Gwen licked her lips and shook her head. “Concentrating tomorrow’s going to be impossible with his fine ass in the room.”

Fate stretched and stood. Just thinking about tomorrow made her tired on a bone-deep level. “Yeah, well, I’m beat. It won’t matter if I can concentrate if he fires me for dozing off in the middle of the meeting.” Just as she was about to say goodnight, something that looked suspiciously like pity flashed across her roommate’s face. “Just say it.”

Gwen bit her lip and shook her head. “It’s none of my business, but hot bosses aside, it’s been several months, and I know what happened was painful but…”

Fate kind of wished she hadn’t told her roommate about Trevor, but he’d shown up at new employee orientation and made a scene, making explaining unavoidable. “I know how long it’s been,” she said softly. “And once my mom’s back on her feet, I’ll give my notice at Lux and work on getting a life in my spare time.”

The situation with her former fiancé she’d been upfront about, but her mom was another story. She hadn’t told Gwen the details. Brenda Buchanan had always had an addictive personality. Her mom had spent most of Fate’s life addicted to wine and men. But then she’d been involved in a car accident just before the wedding that never was. The pain pills she’d been given for her whiplash had become addiction number three. Far as Gwen knew, she was just still healing and unable to work.

“Right, of course. Like I said, none of my business.” Gwen polished off her own glass of wine and stood. “Speaking of things that are none of my business, what are you wearing tomorrow?”

Fate snorted. “Um, clothes?”

“Right, smartass. I mean, specifically.” Gwen rolled her big, blue eyes. “I know you love those sexy pants suits that scream conservative lesbian, but if you’d seen the hot hunk of man meat we’ll be working with, you’d have gone shopping this afternoon.”

No, she wouldn’t have. She didn’t have the money for that. Now it was Fate’s turn to roll her eyes. “Goodnight, Gwen,” she said, turning to head into her bedroom.

“I’ll lay a few options out for you in the morning. Thank your lucky stars we’re the same size, my friend,” her roommate called out after her.

Looking hot for the new boss was the least of her concerns. After calling the rehab facility to check in on her mom and beg for another week to make this month’s payment, Fate passed out cold.

S
he’d never come back into the bar Friday night. And her friend hadn’t given up so much as her name.

Thankfully, Gwen, who’d been more than forthcoming with her own personal information, worked for him. So he’d be able to charm her into telling him more about the woman he’d caught a glimpse of.

It had been her. He was certain of it. He could feel it. And she’d said that she was moving to New York for work. Wouldn’t that be some fucked-up luck if she worked for him? He wanted to kick himself in the nuts for not asking Gwen if her friend worked with her. But the woman had shut down like a high-security vault every time he asked about her friend.

If she did work for him, he was going to have to fire her. Or seriously reevaluate his no screwing employees policy. No, he was not going back on that.

For anyone.

His dad had shown him exactly what that led to. His mom being treated like garbage until the day she died. Money that should’ve paid for cancer treatment and whatever else she’d wanted or needed going to mistresses’ shopping sprees, spa weekends, and who the hell knew what else. Paying off doctors to fudge the results of paternity tests, most likely.

“Care to share where your head’s at this morning? ‘Cause you look like you’re considering murdering someone.” Keaton shoved him in the shoulder as they headed into the boardroom.

Dean adjusted his tie. “Just dreading this meeting. Half these people think I got this job because I’m the boss’s son, and the other half know I did.”

That was bothering him, but it wasn’t what had him all twisted up inside. He’d been in arm’s fucking reach of the woman and she’d vanished again. He should’ve run out after her. No, he should’ve thrown the condom in the ocean and not given a shit. That’s what he got for being environmentally conscious.

He avoided meeting any of the judgmental gazes he could feel burning in his direction and stood behind the seat next to his father. He shook the hands of the president and vice president before moving over to the director of the marketing department. Collin Pierson was just a few years older than he was.

“Some girls of mine have a presentation for you today. I think you’ll enjoy it.” The California native looked every bit the part right up to his frosted tips. He jerked his head towards where the marketing team sat, swinging his blond hair out of his eyes as he leaned in closer to Dean. “And I do mean
enjoy
it.”

Dean forced a grin and nodded. “I’m sure I will.” But he gripped the man’s hand a little too tight as they shook. First of all, the
women
in marketing weren’t
his
girls
. And he didn’t like the suggestion dripping off Pierson’s words.

After everyone except Dean and his dad had taken a seat, Daniel Dean Maxwell Senior introduced him and explained that he was being hired as the new CFO. He would spend six weeks working closely with James Tenor, the current CFO, who was about to retire. Everyone nodded and clapped politely, but Dean knew that there was judgment being passed. The next few months would be crucial. He couldn’t afford even the tiniest slip. He’d worked his ass of in college in preparation for this moment. He could do this. He deserved this position and he’d prove it.

Eye contact was vital in letting them know that he knew exactly where he stood. He turned to face his audience.

“Good morning. Now, I know what you’re all thinking. ‘The boss’s son is going to come in here and screw up all of our hard work.’” He smiled and met the stares of a few older gentlemen on his left. A nervous titter of laugher sounded around him. “But I can assure you that I’m committed to learning everything I can from Mr. Tenor and ensuring that this company continues on the path of excellence my father and all of you have set in motion.” He grinned at Mr. Tenor. He’d interned with him during college and had a genial respect for the man.

“Maxwell Medical deserves the best and only the best. Our clients, shareholders, and, most importantly, our employees deserve the absolute best. If that doesn’t turn out to be me, then I’ll walk away and see if they’ll hire me in the mail room.” He smiled at a few women sitting directly across from him. “Many of you may be thinking of the many other people who could have adequately filled this position. And that’s understandable. Because I’m sure there are several people out there who could. But Maxwell Medical is my family’s legacy. When my great-grandfather rented a van and began transporting organs in coolers, he had no idea he was building the foundation of the empire that was to come. And unlike all the other people who could adequately do this job, I’m the only one who knows the sacrifices my family has made. I promise each and every one of you that I’m the one who’s going to work the hardest.”

He swallowed and smiled at the applause. When it died down, he unbuttoned his jacket and spoke again. “It’s my understanding that the marketing team has a presentation for us today as well, so I’ll turn the floor over to them.”