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Her lips quivered, but she pressed down on them. She nodded again and left my office. I watched her grab her purse and walk toward the reception desk. Ryan’s words interrupted my gaze.
“Looks like the position is available again. Should you still wish to work for Crawford Corp, Ms. Grady. I hope this incident hasn’t changed your mind.”
She smiled. It was a perfect smile. Straight, over whitened teeth, against sunbed-kissed skin. She didn’t have a slight overbite that made her lips pout naturally, like Av—. I had to stop thinking of her as Ava. I had to stop thinking of her. Period.
“Yes, thank you. I can begin in two weeks.”
“Tomorrow,” I said absently, still staring down the hallway. I couldn’t see the reception desk from here, but I was sure she must have stepped into the elevators by now.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” said the woman. I couldn’t quite think of her as Ava yet.
“Then I’m afraid I’ll have to keep looking. I need someone today, but I’ll make tomorrow work.” I turned my full attention to her. Best she knew what she was getting herself into now. “Either you start tomorrow or I’ll have to find myself a new PA.”
“Good luck with that, Mr. Crawford. You’re gonna need it.” She buttoned her blazer and turned to leave.
“Wait.” Ryan glared at me and shook his head. “We’ll hire a PA from the temp agency to cover the next two weeks. We can appreciate that you need to give your current employer notice.”
“Thank you, Mr. Crawford. I look forward to working with you,” she said. Then to me, she narrowed her eyes and sucked her top teeth before leaving my office.
“That went well,” said Ryan, dropping into the armchair, crossing his legs in a relaxed posture. My muscles tensed from restraining myself from running after her. She may only be in the foyer by now. No. I would not chase after someone who lied to me. Tricked me.
I unfurled my fists, not realizing I had curled them in the first place, and sat at my desk.
“How did you figure it out?” I asked, wanting it over with. Better to pull the figurative knife out of my heart at once so the wound could heal.
“After our dinner, I did a little digging. It wasn’t difficult. A quick internet search pulled up a couple of social media posts from two people named Ava Grady. Neither of them looked like Frances.”
Knowing that it was her name didn’t make it any easier to hear.
“So, I messaged them both and asked if they had recently applied for the PA position at Crawford Corp. The real Ava Grady messaged me late last night and I asked her to come in this morning.”
I nodded.
“You know, you didn’t have to fire Frances. She could have continued working in the mailroom. I doubt you would have run into her.”
“No. If I know she’s downstairs, I don’t trust myself not to grab her and…”
“And?”
And kiss her? No. Shake her? No. I didn’t know what I’d do. It was best I didn’t have to find out.
“And nothing because we will never mention the name Frances Netto again. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly,” said Ryan.
“Good. Now get out of my office.”
I needed to be alone, if I was lucky, for the rest of my life.
Frances
The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth, but it still didn’t stop me from biting my lip, afraid that if I did, a loud sob would follow. I hurried past Erika and frantically pressed the elevator button.
“Frannie! Wait!” she said, coming around the desk.
I shook my head, but when she reached me and put her hands around me, I lost the battle. Tears flowed, and the sob I had so earnestly held back broke free from my mouth.
“Shh, don’t let them see you cry.” She rubbed my back and then pulled me away.
