Page 50 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

Hoisting my bag higher on my shoulder, I stepped into the cool air inside Crawford Developments’ office building and made my way to the elevators.

“Good morning, Amy,” Penny said from the front desk as I passed.

“Morning, Penny.”

Speeding up to the fifteenth floor, I stepped out and walked down to the end of hall, sliding behind my desk and plonking my bag on the floor beside me.

Quickly checking over the day’s schedule, I put everything in order before going to the kitchen to make myself and Alex a coffee. Adding a dollop of creamer to my own cup and leaving his black, I went back down the hall and knocked on his door before entering.

“Morning,” I sang happily.

Alex looked up from his papers and raised an eyebrow. His mouth cocked up on one side as he looked at me. “Good morning. Someone seems happy this morning.”

I grinned wider. “I am. Daniel came home yesterday.”

Alex’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s great.”

I watched the genuine smile spread across his face with elation. I knew how lucky I was to have this job. Alex was the best boss anyone could ask for. I also knew the job as Alex’s PA was very much envied, and not just because he was a great boss. He was one of the city’s most eligible bachelors.

I loved Daniel, but even I could admit to just how hot Alex was. Tall, with dark blond hair and green eyes, he had women falling over themselves to get to him wherever he went. The fact that he was a millionaire many times over seemed to influence them a little too.

I watched his smile turn into a frown with confusion before he spoke again. “Why didn’t you tell me? You could’ve had a few days off to spend with him. It’s been over six months, Amy.”

I smiled at his concern, until I remembered how Daniel had asked me to move to San Diego with him.

I bit my lips. I wasn’t ready to tell him yet. I hadn’t really worked out how I felt about it all. But I knew it wasn’t something I should hide from him.

“Daniel’s going to be stationed in San Diego again. He wants me to go with him.”

Alex sat back in his chair as he assessed me. “You know I won’t begrudge you leaving if that’s what you want to do, Amy. We all have paths to follow that can take us in different directions.”

I slumped down in one of the chairs across the desk from him. “I know. I just . . . ” I sighed. “This is the first time I’ve done something for myself, you know?”

He smiled at me kindly. “I know, but if you’ve done it once, you can do it again, and before you say anything about friends or favors, let me tell you, you got this job with your own merits. Yeah, it helped that I knew you personally, so I knew you’d be able to cope with the job, but the point is, you cope with the job. You have experience now, and if you leave, of course I’ll give you a good reference.”

“I don’t want to leave you without a PA, though . . . ”

He studied me. “Do you want to go?”

I thought hard before I answered. “Yes.”

He smiled. “Good. Then don’t worry about it. I can train someone else.”

“Daniel had a suggestion, though . . . If I was to leave, I don’t have to go when he does. I could stay and help you train a new girl.”

He nodded, running the idea through his head. “That could work. Let me know what you decide to do.”

“Okay. Thanks, Alex. I’ll let you know when Mr. Jamieson gets here.”

“Thanks, Amy.”

Pulling Alex’s door closed behind me, I threw myself into my work, not willing to worry over the move just yet.

By the time the office was due to close at the end of the day, I was missing Daniel like crazy. Saying a rushed goodbye to Alex, I drove straight to Daniel’s house, not wanting to waste any time by going home and showering first.

Danie

l was already out front when I pulled up across the street. Judging by the look of the sweat glistening on his bare chest, I guessed he’d just been for a run.

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