Watch Me (Private Listing #1)

“I’ve heard it’s like a nice two-room apartment. Everyone is always super jealous of the bosses’ assistant since she gets the apartment for free, but I don’t know if it’s worth the extra hours.” Hope raises her hand to her brother for two more. “They’ll be able to ask you to work late and on the weekend. I enjoy having nights and weekends free.”

Okay, it doesn’t seem like the rest of the office knows about the arrangement with the guys. They did have me sign an NDA before even mentioning it, so maybe no one can talk about it.

“Andrea was a bitch.” Hope takes the fresh daiquiri and pushes the other to me. “She was a few before Rachel, and she lorded it over everyone in the company like she was a fucking queen because she was their assistant.”

My throat swells. She’s the one they did everything with. Maybe my first day was exactly like hers. With Noah. My heart squeezes.

“I don’t think they liked her very much though, because security escorted her from the building like an embezzler when she got fired.” Hope reaches out a hand and puts it over mine. “I’m sure you’ll do better. You picked up the system super quick.”

I return her smile. “If all these women were bitches to you, why did you invite me out?”

She taps the side of her head. “Because I know brains when I see them, and you’ve got them. Besides, you’re too young to be jaded yet.”

“I could be jaded. I’m not, but I could be.”

Hope and I laugh together. We get to talking about TV and movies, which is basically Hope telling me all the shows I ought to watch or that I’m missing out on. When the daiquiris are done, we switch to water and keep talking.

We talk a little bit about dating. Hope has an online dating profile. She always meets guys at this bar. If they are too much, she introduces them to her brother and never hears from them again.

Having an older brother sounds amazing. I had to rely on myself for protection from guys who wanted to fuck me in college. No big brother to help out, just me. There were some guys who got clingy, but I couldn’t have that. Getting my MBA in a year made dating steadily impossible.

I’m lucky I made it through the last year without losing my mind. Remembering Noah’s touch makes a shiver race through me. It’s been way too long.

“You should come with me to the next speed dating thing.” Hope grabs my arm and shakes it excitedly.

“I don’t think so.” At least, not until I know whether the guys and I are moving forward with their plan or not. I don’t think dating outside will be allowed given the questions about boyfriends and Blake’s question about Robert. But maybe that’s just for me?

If it only applies to me, I might have to ask for no outside dating. Because even if this is just sex, I don’t think I could watch one of them get ready for a date and wait up at home like a creeper to see if he sleeps with her.

For Hope though, I say, “Maybe once I get settled in my new job.”

Because if this doesn’t work out, it might be fun to hang out with Hope while meeting potential guys. My insides twist. I don’t want to think about this not working out.

“Good call.” Hope nods. “That first blush of lust can really divert a girl from everything, and you need this job because you have to stay here and be friends with me.”

I smile. She listened when I told her a little about being a poor college student to explain why I didn’t have a TV or go to movies. I didn’t mention I was basically a social recluse. I want to be her friend. Maybe we can go see some movies together.

I glance at my phone and notice the time. “It’s late. I should get home. I need to start early tomorrow to run all the reports.”

“Okay, oh, maybe we can have lunch sometime this week.” Hope gestures to her brother. I figure she’s going to pay the tab and start getting out money. She shoves my hand back in my purse. “Please. This is my brother’s bar. I get my drinks for free.”

Jason stops and gives me a once-over. I see interest light in his eyes.

“Nope.” Hope shakes her head. “Hands off. This one is going to be my friend. You can’t screw my friend.”

He winks at me and shrugs.

“I’m not sure about lunch,” I say as we head out onto the street. A car pulls up, and I move out of the way, expecting someone to come out and get in it.

“It’s okay,” she says. “We can get drinks after work again some night.”

The back door of the black car opens and Noah steps out. “Come on, ladies. Your chariot awaits.”

My eyes widen. “What?”

“Your car.” Hope shakes her head and drags me forward. “I called because I figured you’d forget. One of your perks is not having to ride the subway, and an unexpected side perk of being your friend is Noah said I can get a ride home too. Thanks, Noah.”

He smiles at her as she ducks into the backseat and slides over. I meet his dark brown eyes. “Come on, kitten. Enjoy the high life.”