Page 51 of Tell Me Something

“I’m Brian, by the way.”

There were two men on the VP list with that name. One was Brian, the regional vice president from Charlotte, and the other was Bryan, the new VP out of the Dallas office. “Nice to meet you. I’m Haylee.”

His eyes widened in recognition. “Haylee Holloway, as in the assistant to Josh Singer?”

Frowning internally at the way he asked, I managed a smile. “Yeah, not exactly the way I wanted to meet any of the VPs this week.” I slowed the treadmill way down and threw on my shirt.

His smile widened. “Come on. If you had been down here with full makeup on, barely walking, I might have a low opinion. But the way you’re running and, no offense, but like, really sweating, I have nothing but respect.”

I had to grin at that. “So are you Brian with an I from Charlotte or Bryan with a Y from Dallas?”

“I’m Brian with an I from Charlotte.”

“Ah, nice to meet you, then, Brian with an I.” I stopped the treadmill.

Surprisingly, he stopped his and took my hand warmly. “Nice to meet you, Haylee with double Es, right?”

Laughing, I nodded. It was curious that he knew that I spelled my name that way, but maybe he’d seen it on an agenda or something.

“So I have a dinner tonight, but tell me you’ll be at the bar when I get back?”

This was dangerous territory. Even if I wasn’t involved with Josh, I didn’t want to start something with someone I worked with. Yeah, I was a big ol’ hypocrite.

“For what?” I’m sure I would be in the lobby, but didn’t want him to think it would be because of him.

He gave me a smile. “I’m traveling to Hong Kong directly after this meeting to take stock of the new company, so I’d love to pick your brain. Maybe you can teach me Cantonese.”

The surprise that he knew about that lowered my guard a little as did his business reasoning. “Sure, we can talk Hong Kong if you’re back early enough from dinner because I’m not someone who stays up late.”

“I’ll eat fast and skip dessert.”

“See ya, Brian with an I.”

“Bye, Haylee with two Es.”

THE HOTEL LOUNGE was made up of several tables and with a large bar area. My eyes surveyed the room. Among a few faces I didn’t know, I spotted Warren.

“Haylee, how nice to see you.” He gave me an awkward half hug and then introduced me to the other two men at his table. “This is Bryan Foster from the Dallas office and John Warner from Chicago. Gentlemen, this is Haylee Holloway, my former assistant and now Josh’s.”

Both men were attractive and well-groomed, and we exchanged pleasantries.

“Where’s Josh?” Warren queried, looking around.

“He had a dinner engagement. I’m not sure if he’s coming back here afterwards or not.”

“We finished our dinner early, but I’m sure everyone will be congregating soon. The hotel bar becomes the most happening place all week. Why don’t you pull up a chair?”

I was about to make my excuses when I heard the voice of Brian with an I behind me.

“Oh, good, Haylee, you’re still here. Warren, nice to see you. Hey, John,” he greeted, shaking hands all around. “Sasha was just around here. Oh, there she is with Josh.”

I watched Josh and a fashionable woman in her thirties walk into the bar and approach us. Though I’d never met her, I knew Sasha was from the New York office. She was simply stunning. Black, shiny hair cut into a chic bob, artfully done makeup, and designer clothing—she was as put together as it got, New York uptown style. I appreciated her nicely tailored black pant suit and gorgeous, four-inch killer heels. Her lips would give Angelina a run for her money.

Everything about her looked professional. She exuded a combination of sex appeal, confidence, and professionalism that, on my best day, I would never have been able to pull off.

One glance told me she hardly gave me a thought at all.

Brian did the honors of introducing us. “I don’t think you’ve met Sasha Brooks. She’s the vice president of our New York advertising branch. Sasha, this is Haylee Holloway, Josh’s new assistant and the kind of girl who puts a man to shame on a treadmill.”