Page 13 of Lying to the Boss

“He said Sadie takes notes?”

“Yes, she does the meeting minutes, but he wants you to take other notes.”

“What kind?”

“Whatever you feel is important. You’ll prepare for the meeting beforehand by getting him everything he needs, which is usually just the file, since we keep everything in there. As for notetaking, mostly it’s dates, things he’ll need to know at a later time and potentially work on. So yeah, just be prepared.”

“Got it.”

“Other than that…” He looks around, tapping his chin. “There isn’t much. It’s all pretty straight forward, and it’ll take time for you to get to know him. Don’t forget to take your lunch when he does, it’s easier that way. Sometimes he likes to go out for lunch, and then you’ll get some quiet time without him. But otherwise… you’re with him all day.”

Yep. All day.

“He said travel is involved. How often does that happen?”

David moves his head from side to side. “That depends. It’s not really consistent. There are months when he will travel every weekend, but then not travel again for six months. It all depends on what’s going on with the company and the clients we’re working with.”

“Where does he travel?” I ask.

“Usually not far. We mostly do business in the mid-west, but I have heard that he’s trying to get some business in Miami and also the East Coast, but he’s on the fence about it.”

“How come?”

“He likes running things close to home, and if we get too big, he won’t be able to run it the way he does now, and I actually think he’s pretty happy with how everything is going.”

“You like working here?” I change the subject slightly, wanting to know what I’m in for with him. David hasn’t said anything bad. Everything I’d expect him to say. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t lying.

“Very much.” He lowers his voice and adds, “He’s not your typical a-hole CEO. I mean, he has his days, and he’s particular about things, maybe a little demanding at times, but the man has money, so who wouldn’t be?”

I huff a small laugh and shake my head.

Me. That’s who.

Chapter Five

Lane

It’s 7:45 and I hear Tage getting settled outside my door. He gets here at exactly the same time every day. Sometimes I wonder if he stands in the hallway and waits until the clock turns to walk through the door—how else does he time it so well?

He’s been here two weeks, but he may as well have been here two years. He’s doing exceptionally well. There was nothing on his resume about him having done this job before, but somehow, he has gotten everything right.

My coffee is always ready on time, my emails are organized and replied to appropriately, he’s professional and knowledgeable in meetings, my schedule is always accurate, and the cherry on top? He’s good to look at. And the man knows how to dress.

He doesn’t argue or try to tell me better ways to do things. He just does them how I like. Which, of course, is something I learned about him that first night, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

Yet, I am. I am so surprised by Tage Briar that I can’t get him off my mind. How does one person do so many things right in all aspects of their life? Star employee. Star sexual partner. What more is there?

I get up from my chair and pull the door open.

“Tage, good morning,” I say with a smile.

“Good morning, Mr. Monroe,” he responds, with a smile that says I don’t get on his nerves, but his eyes give him away. I know I do.

He doesn’t dislike me; he just thinks I talk too much. I’m certain of it. Which is an odd thing, considering he’s the only one I’m like this with. I don’t know what it is about him. He’s awakened something in me—some playful, teasing, almost menacing part of myself that I didn’t know existed.

I disappear back into my office, not wanting to overwhelm him when he first comes in. We have the entire day ahead of us.

He brings me my coffee on time and returns at exactly 8:30 to go over my day with me.