Page 37 of Cocky Prince
I tell her that’s fine, and we make our way down the hall. Adam and Blackwell may have warned me away from Adam’s new assistant as the HR director, but that doesn’t mean I can’t talk to her as a coworker, right?
Bridget and I chat about the meeting, and Mark from IT scuffles by, his face shiny and a tad red. “Hi, Bridget,” he says quietly.
I’m impressed. Mark usually avoids eye contact.
Bridget greets him and I nod hello, and we resume our discussion about the promo for the big event.
Not two seconds later, another employee passes, an equally smitten look on his face.
“Good afternoon, Bridget.” This time, it’s one of the building engineers. An insanely shy man. The only reason he’s said two words to me is because I sign his paychecks.
What the hell?I do a double take. “Looks like you’ve got fans.” I smile. If Bridget is pulling people out of their shells, that’s great.
“Oh yes. Everyone has been so nice.” Her expression is unassuming, and I realize I actually like Bridget. She’s pretty, so I can see why the guys like her, but she’s just as friendly with the women, from what I’ve witnessed. And Adam hasn’t said a single bad thing about her performance. I’m going to assume that’s because he’s happy with her and not because he’s hiding something just to win our bet.
Damn. I can’t believe Adam is going to win. I was certain he wouldn’t be able to hire a suitable candidate. This is going to make learning about the other people he’s hiring more complicated. I promised to keep my nose out of things if he wins. Of course, I’ll still stick my nose in his business, but now I’ll have to be stealthier about it.
We enter Bridget’s office, and I close the door. “We haven’t had an opportunity to sit and talk, and I wanted to make sure you’ve settled in okay. See if you need anything from human resources?”
I’m totally breaking the rule about not talking to Bridget on official human resources business, but I need an excuse to talk to her, and it’s a silly rule anyway. Bridget may need something from my department, and how’s she supposed to get help if we’re banned from speaking to one another? Besides, I need a reason to ask probing questions about Adam. He’s avoiding me. Desperate times and all that.
She shrugs happily. “All settled. Though I do have a question about health benefits. Can you wait one sec while I shoot off that message I mentioned?”
“Of course. Unless you’d rather come to my office when you’re finished?”
“Oh no. This will just take me a moment.” Bridget pulls up her email and clicks quickly through the screens.
She glances over and smiles nervously. I realize I’m staring, so I glance around the room to give her privacy.
“There,” she says, and minimizes the screen. “All set.”
Bridget asks me a few questions about company health benefits. All things Mira and I would have gone over had Adam let me brief Bridget when she started, but I’m happy to help her now.
“Thank you so much for the information,” she says. “That really cleared things up.”
“Oh, good.” I stand to leave. Maybe I shouldn’t say it, but I want to be available to every employee—screw Adam and Blackwell. “Come by anytime if you have more questions.”
Bridget smiles broadly, and I know meeting with her was the right move. Yes, I had ulterior motives, but she’s still an employee and deserves what her human resources department has to offer.
It’s going to suck once Bridget’s two weeks are up. Adam and I will need to establish boundaries around this no-questioning-my-new-hires rule, because it’s obvious the employees he hires will have questions he can’t answer. At least, I think they will, unless Blackwell contracts them out. Bridget isn’t a contract employee, but I don’t know what Blackwell has planned for the others.
I stop near the door. “Before I go, how is Adam? I haven’t seen him at the meetings lately.” Hopefully my light probing isn’t too obvious, but darn it, Adam’s been MIA, and I’m so close to figuring out this Bliss thing.
“He’s been busy with the new suites. Blackwell has him working late to make sure everything is up and running in time for the burlesque show. It’s all hush-hush, but just to reassure you, everything is goingreallywell. You should see what I bought for the rooms. Those suites are going to be amazing.”
I haven’t heard anything special about the suite remodel, other than that it was taking place. Nor did I realize Blackwell wanted them ready for the burlesque show. Bridget’s comments confirm that the suites under construction are more than the casino is letting on to the public and the rest of the employees, and that both she and Adam are involved. No wonder he doesn’t want me near her.
“What sorts of things did you buy—”
“Interrogating my employees?”
I spin around, my heart hammering. Adam is standing in the doorway, and he looks pissed. “Just getting to know your new assistant.” No way am I letting him intimidate me. “She had a few questions about benefits.” I glance back. “Bridget, I’ll let you return to work. Remember what I said about coming to see me anytime.”
She smiles, and I walk toward Adam, stopping in front of him. “Can I talk to you in my office?”
He steps aside and I pass him. Once we’re out of the office, and out of earshot of Bridget, he catches up to me. “Blackwell gave you specific orders not to interfere with the hiring of my assistant.” His voice is not his normal elegant cadence, but hard with a steely edge.
True, I’m guilty, because I asked Bridget questions I knew Adam wouldn’t want me knowing the answers to, but there’s something going on in this place and I’m going to find out what it is.
