“You’ve probably heard that I’m no longer engaged.” She stuck out her bare left hand as proof. “Maybe you noticed when you were in the Lounge the other evening.”
He hadn’t, but he didn’t figure that kissing her hand now would be a good idea, so instead he tried to appear sad for her. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.” If this had been a fairy tale, his nose would have grown like Pinocchio’s for telling such a whopper.
She tossed her head, making her small gold earrings sparkle. “Like you said, it’s not a big deal.”
He wondered how Dax could bear to lose her, but for once his buddy hadn’t said a word.
“Does that have anything to do with your interest in changing jobs?” he asked curiously.
His question seemed to catch her by surprise. Her gaze darted around his office.
“It made me realize that I can’t depend on anyone but myself, so it’s time to get serious and start working on a career plan like I mentioned the last time we talked. I just wasn’t ready to go public with being dumped then.”
“Sounds like you’ve sworn off men,” he replied regretfully. Maybe trying to hire her wasn’t a good idea after all.
She started to smile flirtatiously, but then her expression sobered. “I’m putting myself first,” she said firmly. “I want to be independent, to take care of myself instead of relying on some man.” She leaned forward with a touch of earnestness. “I’m willing to work hard and learn all I can. What I’m asking in return is that you give me a genuine opportunity. I’m done being window dressing.”
Mitch had been picturing himself leaning over her shoulder, basking in the scent of her perfume while she gave him a list of his phone calls. Admiring her legs as she perched on the corner of his desk or soaking up the admiration in her big brown eyes when he outlined some new product idea.
Reluctantly, he realized he’d been guilty of the worst kind of chauvinistic fantasies between a boss and his secretary. That attitude was not only wrong, it was unfair, especially when he considered himself a progressive employer who gave his workers respect and loyalty.
In the lengthening silence, Liz had begun to pick at the hem of her skirt. Her chin went up in a gesture he was beginning to recognize as a defensive reaction.
“Perhaps I’ve misunderstood your offer.” Her voice had cooled, its former enthusiasm gone as she started to rise.
Mitch gestured for her to stay put. “Believe me, my need for a full-time assistant is legitimate,” he said insistently. “I’m looking for someone who wants Cates International to be part of her future.” He took a deep breath. “Come on. I’ll explain more while I show you around.”
“I can’t believe you’re really doing it,” Kay Costner, Liz’s closest friend in Thunder Canyon, said from the next chair as Shandie Solomon spun Liz around to face the mirror.
“What do you think?” Shandie asked Liz as the they both studied her reflection. Shandie had recently begun working at the beauty shop and Liz liked her youthful attitude as well as her knowledge of trendy styles.
Liz studied her hair with mixed feelings. “It’s funny,” she replied as she tipped her head first one way and then another. “Last week I was thinking about adding scarlet or purple streaks and now I look more—”
“Like a secretary?” Kay supplied.
“Like a serious professional person,” Liz corrected her. She met Shandie’s gaze in the glass. “It’s perfect.”
A few minutes later, as Liz and Kay walked to their cars, Kay looked her up and down with a considering expression. “I hope this new job will make you happy,” she said with a sincere tone. “Dax is a rat, but I’m worried that you’re overreacting.”
Liz grinned at her friend. “You mean because I’ve quit my job as a bartender, undergone a complete makeover and maxed out my credit card on a new professional wardrobe?” she asked teasingly.
“That, too, I guess,” Kay replied with an airy gesture. “I was actually referring to the neutral polish color on your nails. Not a rhinestone or a butterfly in sight.”
As Liz gave her a playful shove, they both laughed. “Funny,” Liz replied. “When a girl is starting a new phase of her life, she needs to look the part.”
“And, girl,” Kay said as they high-fived each other, “you’re gonna knock your boss’s socks off.”
“All I want to do is to show him that I take this opportunity very seriously,” Liz reminded her. “And that I’m a complete professional.”
She glanced at her reflection in an adjacent storefront window, cropped top under her denim jacket, tight jeans and high-heeled leather boots. “Yes!” she exclaimed, reaching up her arms as she shimmied her hips, tipped back her head and shouted, “I am woman, hear me roar!”
With a last enthusiastic whoop, she spun in a wobbly circle just in time to see her future boss getting into his truck right across the empty street.
If she’d had any doubt that he had missed her little show, the wave of his hand before he shut his door dispelled it.
Chapter Two
Mitch sat in his leather office chair frowning at the invitation to DJ Traub’s wedding. It wasn’t that Mitch begrudged DJ the happiness of marrying a woman he so obviously loved—it was just that he hated attending social functions by himself.
He slipped the invitation back into its matching envelope and tossed it into the top drawer of his desk. Glancing impatiently at the clock on the opposite wall, which had been made from a thin slice of Montana granite, he slid back his chair and got to his feet.
This was Lizbeth’s first day and she would be here at any moment. Convincing her to come to work for him hadn’t been easy, but she’d finally agreed to give her notice at the Lounge.
Mitch hadn’t been surprised to get an angry phone call that same day from Grant, accusing him of stealing the best bartender on staff. Lucky for Mitch that his friendship with Clifton went back far enough that the other man had calmed down almost immediately, even though he had acquired the reputation of being a real hard-ass. With a knowing chuckle, Grant even warned him about getting involved with a woman like Liz.
“It’s strictly business,” Mitch had replied without a twinge of guilt, “but if I do need dating advice, I’ll be sure to come to you first.”
It was no secret among the guys that Grant himself had at one time pretended a romantic interest in Lizbeth in order to make Stephanie Julen jealous. Perhaps he’d forgotten his little ploy, since he persuaded Steph to marry him, but Mitch hadn’t.
Restlessly, he sat back down and picked up a trade magazine. He was flipping through the pages when Suzy’s perky voice came over his intercom. She’d agreed to stay on for a few more days until Liz was comfortable.
“Boss, you said to let you know when Ms. Stanton arrived. She’s getting out of her Jeep right now.”
“Okay, thanks.” As he got to his feet and circled his desk, he could feel the same adrenaline rush he got whenever he began a new project. Well, in a crazy way, getting to know Lizbeth better on his own turf was a project of sorts, one he hoped would become a rousing success.
By the time he walked down the short hallway to the reception area adjacent to the showroom, Lizbeth was coming through the glass front door. Even though he recognized her, he nearly did a double-take.
The brightly colored butterfly who had previously captured his attention had evolved into a dull brown moth.
Lizbeth must have noticed his expression, because her smile faded. “I was supposed to start today, wasn’t I?” she asked hesitantly. “I thought you said to come in on Monday.”
Mitch