The Trouble With Love

by Claire Contreras

  “So, my dad wants to give you the opportunity to try that workplace app here.” He says it as if it’s no big deal at all. It takes me a moment to break free of my shock before forming a reaction, because seriously, what?

  “What?”

  “Devon’s been talking about you and your ideas for years, and I guess you won my father over during dinner the other night,” he says. “He believes in it.”

  “You don’t.” I study his face. God, he’s gorgeous, like a beautiful work of art those ancient guys in Rome used to make.

  “It’s not a secret that I don’t believe in love or wasting my time on those kinds of apps.”

  “I get it. It’s not for everyone.” I lick my lips. “He really wants me to try out the app here?”

  “Guess so.” Bennett nods. “Are you on any dating apps?”

  “No.”

  He chuckles. “Seriously?”

  “I think the ones out right now are cool and all, but I want to meet someone who likes me for me, not for the shape of my ass.”

  His lips lift in a slow smirk, but he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t have to. My face goes up in flames nonetheless.

  “So, there’s no fraternization policy here?”

  “Nope.” His gaze heats on mine.

  “Good to know.”

  “That doesn’t change anything between us.”

  “Who says I’m asking because of you?”

  “Good point.” His mouth twitches. “I can give you access to the database so you can pick the singles out and ask them if they want to participate.”

  “Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Is that what you want me to work on? Like . . . as my job?”

  “No.” He lets out a low chuckle. Even that sounds sexy as fuck. Ugh. “You’re going to be my assistant for the next few weeks. It’ll give you enough time to get your app running so we can gather data and explore the dating app world. Dad’s really interested in that and he liked your concept. I don’t have an assistant right now, and to be honest, I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my things. I won’t need much, but I will require a few things like scheduling and meetings because I hate doing that.”

  “Okay. I’ve never assisted anyone, so you may have to be a little patient with me.”

  He waves a hand at my comment as if he won’t mind. “You’ll have access to my personal and business emails, which you’ll respond to on my behalf every morning.”

  “Sounds simple enough.”

  He watches me. I watch him, unsure of whether or not I should get up and leave. Finally, after a couple of beats of discomfort, I clear my throat and ask, “Should I leave now?”

  “That would be helpful,” he says. “I have to get on a call in two minutes. Welcome to SEVEN, Miss Tucker. I look forward to working with you.”

  With that, he dismisses me.

  Chapter Eight

  I’m going through the database when Wesley shows up in front of my desk. My gaze flies to the time on my computer. Twelve-ten.

  “You’re punctual,” I say.

  “I’m serious about food.” He smiles. “You ready?”

  The phone on my desk rings. I shoot Wesley an apologetic look as I reach for it. “Bennett Cruz’s office.”

  “I see he got a new flavor of the month,” a woman says.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Did he get bored of his previous assistant or did she get tired of him treating her as if she was second place?” The woman doesn’t wait for me to respond before adding, “Newsflash, you will always be second place to me, so I suggest you don’t try to fill my shoes.”

  “Who am I speaking to?”

  “Mrs. Cruz, and you’ll do well to remember that.”

  “Um . . .”

  She ends the call before I can get another word in. I put the receiver back in its cradle and look at Wesley, wide-eyed.

  “That was the strangest conversation.”

  “Tell me about it on our way to lunch.” He pats his stomach twice.

  “Yeah. Sure.” I blink, trying to figure out why she’d call my line to say those things. Bennett is divorced. Why would his ex-wife put his new assistant on notice? I’m bending down to get my purse when Bennett’s door opens behind me.

  “Going somewhere?”

  “Lunch.” I straighten, heart pounding. He eyes me like he knows I’m hiding something. I’m not. I’m going to tell him about the call as soon as I get back.

  “Hm.” He looks between me and Wesley. “Can you grab me a sandwich while you’re out?”

  “Sure. What kind?” I pull out my phone to take a note.

  “I’ll text it to you,” he says, walking over to me and taking the phone from my hand. He types something in there and fishes his phone out of his pocket. He hands mine back, holding my gaze. “Thank you.”

  “Of course.”

  “So, from what I hear, his ex-wife is crazy,” Wesley says as we’re wrapping up the foil of the sandwiches we just ate. “She’ll keep calling like that. The best thing to do is ignore her.”

  “I just . . . how did she even know he got a new assistant?”

  Wesley shrugs. My phone buzzes for a second time with a text from Bennett and I’m once again regretting having given him my number.

  Bennett: Are you on your way back?

  Me: Not yet.

  Bennett: . . .

  Me: You’re legally obligated to give me a one-hour lunch break.

  I smile when I see the typing bubble appear and disappear, revealing he deleted whatever response he was going to send.

  “You ready?” Wesley asks, standing.

  “Ready.” I pick up the bag containing Bennett’s lunch and let him guide me out of the sandwich shop.

  On our way back, we talk some more about software development, which is Wesley’s first love. He tells me about the video games he’s in the middle of building and how SEVEN may buy it from him if they decide it’ll be popular in today’s market. We talk some more about the software they’ve purchased in the past and what they’ve been able to do with them. I’m not entirely convinced I would want to hand over my dating apps to them, but I like knowing my options. Wesley walks me all the way back to my desk, still talking animatedly about his software.

  “You have to check it out,” he says. “It might help with the back matter of the workplace app thing.”

  “Maybe. I just worry about being involved in the back matter at all, even though it is all anonymous. I don’t want people to think I’m trying to play Cupid.” I frown as I say the words, thinking about Bennett.

  “I think you should be fine. Someone definitely needs to make sure it’s running properly though. Are you going to sign up to make sure it is?”

  “I would, but what if I end up getting matched with someone?”

  “There are worst things than finding love.” Wesley shrugs, then smiles. “Come on. You can’t be the girl trying to make everyone else happy and putting yourself second. You’ll end up alone.”

  I want to tell him that in the end, we all end up alone, but that wouldn’t be on brand—it wouldn’t match the fun, carefree, obsessed-with-love persona I’ve worked so hard to create. He departs with a little wave and the promise that we’ll do it again tomorrow, and I go to Bennett’s door, knocking twice before opening it. He looks up from his desk and signals me over as he talks to someone on the phone. I shut the door quietly behind me and walk around his desk, taking out his food and setting it over the table neatly—sandwich in the middle, chips to the left, water bottle on the right. When I’m done, I walk around the desk again and head back out.

  The rest of my day is spent working on the app and website, and I completely forget about the call I received this afternoon.

  Chapter Nine

  “Hey, Nora.” I smile at the sound of her voice.

  “Morgan, I was going to FaceTime you after my yoga class today,” she responds. “How are you? How’s the job? Is Bennett being an asshole or is he treating you righ
t?”

  “He’s fine.” I laugh. “He’s not an asshole.”

  “Good. Do you like what you’re doing there?”

  I spend the next five minutes telling her about the app and how my colleague thinks I should sign up to make sure everything is functioning properly.

  “That sounds messy,” she says. “Hold on, your brother just walked in. Let me put you on speakerphone.”

  “Hey, Morgie.”

  “Hey, Dev. I was just catching Nora up on the app stuff.”

  “I heard. You’re going to sign up for it and let yourself get matched?”

  “I mean . . . you know how I feel about that, but I do need to make sure it’s running smoothly on all accounts. If this does well, SEVEN may give me a huge opportunity.”

  “Fuck it. What do you have to lose?”

  “What if you meet the love of your life?” Nora adds.

  “I don’t know . . .”

  “She’s right, Morg. You may meet a really great guy on there.”

  “I don’t know if great guys exist. Aside from you, of course,” I add quickly.

  He chuckles. Nora laughs. “Anyway, I wanted to FaceTime you to see your reaction, but being that we’re all on the phone right now, I think this is the right time to tell you that . . . “

  Nora lifts her hand up, showing me a huge ring on her left hand. “We’re getting married!”

  “Oh, my God.” I squeal. “It’s about time!”

  Dev laughs. “I thought so too.”

  “I’m so excited, you guys! Congratulations. Do you know when you’re getting married? Big wedding, small? Tell me everything!”

  “We’re thinking small and intimate,” Nora says. “And I want you to be my maid of honor.”

  “Oh, my God.” I feel myself tearing up. “Of course, I will!”

  “Don’t tell Bennett yet,” Dev warns. “I want to call him later today to ask him to be my best man.”

  “Okay.” My stomach does a little flip. “Anyway, I have to let you guys go. I just got to work, but yay! Congratulations! Love you both.”

  “Talk to you soon.”

  “Love you!”

  I run into Wesley in the lobby and we ride up together, talking about the app the entire way up and as he walks me to my desk.

  “So basically, I just need to make it pretty and it’s done. I already emailed all the singles on the database and sent them a signup link should they want to join.”

  “I already joined.” He looks me in the eye. “Wouldn’t it be cool if you join and we end up getting matched?”

  I smile. “It would be interesting. I mean, it would mean we have a lot in common.”

  “I think we have a chance.”

  Bennett’s door opens. He frowns when he sees me standing there with Wesley. “You’re supposed to be in my office, Tucker. What are you gossiping about this early in the morning?”

  “I was just telling her that I joined her app. I’m kind of hoping it matches us together.” Wesley winks at me as he walks away. I blush and look away, busying myself with taking things out of my purse before putting it away.

  “I’ll be in your office in ten minutes. I’ll get us coffee.” I don’t bother to look up.

  I know he’s still standing right there, staring at me, because I feel his eyes on me, but I can’t bear to confirm it. What must he be thinking? I just started this job and I’m already flirting with some guy, or he’s flirting with me, whatever. It wouldn’t be so awkward if we didn’t have all this stuff between us. I go to the break room and brew a fresh pot of coffee. The door opens and closes, and I glance up to see Bennett walk in.

  “I told you I would get your coffee.” I frown.

  “I didn’t tell you how I like it.”

  “Oh.”

  He walks over and stands beside me. It’s impossible for me not to smell him, impossible for me not to feel him. He lifts an arm and reaches over me to get two mugs from the top shelf of the cabinet. I stop breathing. He’s not touching me. He’s not doing anything inappropriate. He’s just a man getting mugs of coffee. A good-looking man. A really good-looking man who’s got a really nice dick and who knows how to use it. Not that I’m thinking about that or anything. I will my heart to stop pounding. He brings the mugs down and places them on the counter, then clicks the off button of the coffeemaker and taps the hand I’m using to grip the pot.

  “I think it’s done now,” he murmurs, his voice too close to my ear.

  I shut my eyes. “Wesley wants me to join the app.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you hoping the app matches you together?”

  “Would it bother you if it did?” My eyes snap open. He’s standing too close to me. Kissably close, which is a problem.

  “No.” His gaze flicks from mine to my lips and back up.

  “Okay, then.”

  “I take my coffee black.” He pushes away from the counter and walks toward the door.

  In his office, I sit across from him with the laptop provided to me. We’re going through his business emails first. He reads them from his desk, and tells me quickly what to respond to whom, according to the schedule I made him yesterday. He then goes through his personal email and tells me what to jot down on the schedule according to that.

  “I have to go to Vegas for a conference in a couple of weeks. I want you to come.”

  My gaze flies to him. “To Vegas?”

  “Is that a problem?” He tears his eyes from his monitor to look at me.

  “No.”

  “You and Devon really don’t like going back there, do you?”

  “Not really.” I look back at the laptop in front of me.

  “But your parents are still there?”

  “My mom is.”

  “What about your dad?”

  “I . . . he’s not in our lives,” I say, finally, and it feels like a weight is lifted off my shoulders.

  “Oh. I didn’t know that.”

  He eyes me with intrigue, but lets it go. I don’t know what my brother has told him, but based on the way he phrased this question and the way his parents talked the other night, I can only assume it’s not much. That is definitely a conversation I’d rather not have.

  “Anyway, Wesley is helping me with the coding for the app. It should be up and running in a couple of days,” I say. “I already met with your dad about it and showed him how it runs and everything.”

  “Wesley seems to be very interested in this.” His gaze shifts from the computer to me.

  “I mean, he’s a developer. It’s fun.”

  “A developer who’s dying to get in on the action. He’s hoping you join the stupid thing as a user and that it pairs you together.” His gaze never leaves mine. Mine never leaves his.

  “It very well may pair us if I joined, which I won’t. We have a lot in common.” I glare at him, not because of anything other than the fact that he called it stupid.

  “Do you ever wonder how much we have in common?”

  “No.” I glance away. “We’re . . . obviously compatible in bed, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

  “Doesn’t it?”

  “I’m compatible with a lot of people in that way.”

  His gaze heats. “So your goal is to find love?”

  I bite my tongue. That question makes me feel like a phony. After a few seconds of debating whether or not I should answer, I clear my throat.

  “I like the idea of helping other people find love. I’m not really interested in it myself. I mean, I just . . . I’ve had really bad luck in that department.”

  “I understand that.” He nods. “But don’t you want to find your soul mate?”

  “Don’t we all?” I smile. This is a ridiculous conversation. “For now, I’m perfectly content playing Cupid.”

  “So you’re not getting on the app?”

  “Just to make sure it runs well. It’s a huge opportunity that you’re even letting me test it out on a smaller sc
ale.” I don’t say everything it could mean if it works and they end up loving it and buying it from me.

  “My father’s giving you the opportunity,” he says. “I’m not against it, but I want to be clear that I’m also not rooting for it. We have enough app ideas to go through on a daily basis. Everyone wants SEVEN to back them.”

  “With good reason. Anyone who’s anyone in the tech world knows SEVEN can make or break you.”

  “Is that why you chose to come work here instead of where you were interning?” I can tell he’s fighting a smile. “I wasn’t aware you loved this company so much.”

  “I think it’s incredible what you and your father have accomplished with it. I mean, I don’t know of another story like yours. It’s not really a surprise that the tabloids are always looking for an interview. You come from a family of immigrants that have achieved the American dream. That’s not to be taken lightly.”

  I’m not one to fangirl, but SEVEN is by far the most impressive and superior tech company out there right now. It’s even more incredible that Bennett didn’t inherit this. From what I understand, he wasn’t rich before this. His parents weren’t poor, like Devon and I were growing up, but they didn’t have the kind of wealth they’re rumored to have now. His dad was an engineer for a big computer company and when Bennett came to him with his vision for the future while he was still in college, playing football with my brother, they launched. I’d never heard of anything like it before. He finished his program at school, graduated at the top of his class, went to graduate school even though he didn’t need to because by the end of year one, SEVEN was already worth millions.

  “Thanks for that.” He smiles, the lines around his eyes crinkling. “It’s going to be a little harder for me to voice my next concern, though.” He chuckles. “Dating apps is not something I want this company to be known for. Dating apps get messy. We spent an entire year clearing our name after that affair app went wrong with the leaked information and the software malfunction. It’s not you I don’t believe in, or your concept, it’s love in general. It’s too messy for business.”