by Magan Vernon
I reluctantly had to have Grandmum help me buy a new outfit for my interview and she added a few more blouses and skirts to my buggy.
I promised I’d pay her back, even after staring at the ridiculous price tags. But Grandmum waved me off as she always did and purchased a bag that had popcorn printed on it and cost more than my weekly salary.
I sighed then glanced around the room that was now mine. The flat was a small studio but it did have a bed, comfortable furniture, and everything I needed in the bathroom and kitchen to live comfortably. I just couldn’t get used to it because as soon as my six months were up as Jack’s assistant, I’d be out of there and hopefully on to something else.
At twenty-three, I thought I’d have my life together.
I figured that being here, not just in Dublin, but in the flat, was only temporary. But the longer we stayed, the more our lives became ingrained with Grandmum and Granddad’s and I couldn’t imagine leaving the city.
But, as much as I loved them, a girl also needed her space. Especially when Grandmum didn’t understand you couldn’t sit on the loo and have a full conversation while someone else was taking a shower.
Maybe working for Jack wasn’t my dream job, but it did afford me with a flat, and the ability to clean up without having a conversation about the queen’s dogs.
Jane Pawsten whined at my feet, as if she knew she was going to be left alone in a new place until someone came to walk her. I knelt down and picked up the little dog who stared up at me with beady little black eyes.
She groaned as I walked the few steps from the bed to the couch and put her in her crate. She snorted, standing up and turning in a circle until she was facing the other direction and away from me.
“Aw, come on girl. Don’t be like that,” I cooed. I needed someone to reassure me I wasn’t making a mistake by going into this new job today. Even if that someone was a dog.
I frowned, staring at her open cage door and fluffy dog butt. “Would a bully treat make up for it?”
Jane’s ears perked and she sat up, turning around with a wagging tail.
“Of course you want the bull penis,” I muttered, standing up and walking to the kitchen. I grabbed one of the withered little bones and handed it to the happy dog who now stood at my feet. Out of principle, I wanted to wrinkle my nose at the small gray bones, but Jane loved them.
She ran in a circle then headed to her cage, gnawing the little bone inside as she curled up on her pink cushion.
If she could be content with her new situation, then I could too.
“See you soon, Jane. Wish me luck on my first day of work,” I said, locking the cage and grabbing my purse. Mum and Grandmum were coming later in the day to take her out and feed her, so she wouldn’t be completely alone and that eased my mind a little bit.
Sometimes I wished my life were as simple as Jane Pawsten’s. I’d get fed, taken out to pee, and if I were really distraught, someone would give me a calcified bull penis.
Maybe not that last part.
But I wasn’t a dog, and now it was time to face my fate and my first day of work for Jack Murphy.
…
I hated being late for anything, so I made sure to be at the office early.
As I strode into the building at quarter till eight, Jack was already sitting in his office with the door open. He wore a white button-down oxford with the sleeves rolled up, showing his well-toned arms. His suit jacket was thrown over the chair.
As if he could feel my eyes on him when I approached, a dimpled grin spread across his face. “Grace, good to see you’re early.”
He barely looked up from the stack of papers on his desk and my heart beat faster and slower at the same time, willing that smile to be because of my presence.
Blast. I couldn’t be attracted to this guy.
He was my boss now. No romantic feelings allowed. “I thought I’d be the only one here, though,” I said, slowly walking into his office.
Those vibrant blue eyes honed in on me.
Bloody hell.
He’s gorgeous.
I may have admired him a few times when we were younger, but I was just another one of Sean’s friends. More like furniture rather than an actual girl who deserved his attention.
I mentally chastised myself and curtailed the heat rising within me. I couldn’t be thinking like that.
I was a strong, confident woman who didn’t need a guy to look at her just to feel better about herself. I didn’t need a man at all, certainly. Unless, of course, that man was now my boss and I had to be nice.
His eyes roamed over my blouse and pencil skirt like they had the day before. I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying not to wonder what he was searching for in his stare, and straightened my shoulders, willing myself to stand tall and show him I was all business. Even if the fluttering in my stomach was attempting to say something else, I didn’t need the arrogant playboy’s attention. Damn him for making these new feelings bubble inside me that were screwing with my head.
“When does Fallon arrive to train me, or will it be Aileen?” I asked, trying not to gaze at the dimple in his right cheek.
“Fallon should be in soon, but until then I can help get you set up.” He stood, sauntering toward me. Each step made my heart thump harder.
“Really? The CEO is going to train his assistant?” I furrowed my eyebrows, keeping my voice light.
“Acting CEO or I was until the board decided there would be a hold on that official title until…” His words trailed, and he glanced out the window before looking back to me. A crack in his bravado. “Well, until—doesn’t matter. Now, come on. Let’s at least boot up your computer.”
I wanted to ask what this “until” was really about, but before I could even open my mouth, he walked past me and was bent over the desk just outside his office.
Maybe I’d have to ask Granddad what was really going on with Murphy’s Pub. But that would have to wait until later.
While his office was dark wood walls and leather seating, the desk and cubicles outside his office were almost sterile. Each polished wooden desk looked like the one next to it. The only thing that made the assistant’s area stand out was the fact there was no cube around it, and the back was to a large, gothic-style arched window with the view of the River Liffey.
“I do know how to start a computer,” I quipped, making my way toward the work area until I was standing next to him as he clicked a few buttons on the sleek monitor.
“Are you always this much of a smart-ass when people try to help you out?”
“I’m just stating a fact.”
He had a mysterious glint in his eyes before his glare went back to the computer. “Here’s another fact for you. We have all of our systems password protected. If your system is idle for more than ten minutes, the screen automatically goes back to locked. A pain in the arse, but supposedly it helps with security.”
I nodded. “I think most computers have that feature now.”
He stopped clicking the screen, and when he looked up, it was as if his dark blue eyes were burning right through me. I didn’t know whether to be scared of my new boss or turned on.
“Most people don’t talk this much shite to their boss, especially not on the first day.”
I wasn’t most people, and I wanted to tell him as much. Then I thought about the flat, my own space that wasn’t with my mum and grandparents. The fact that this was the only job offer I had that wasn’t hit-or-miss freelancing with demanding authors. If this was going to work, I had to maybe reign in the smart-assery. At least a little bit.
So I shrugged. “Just trying to speed up the process. Letting you know that I really am a fast learner.”
He squinted slightly then slowly nodded. “I guess you’re right.”
“What was that again? I never thought I’d hear Jack Murphy utter those words.” I leaned closer, inhaling his manly scent with a hint of mint on his breath. As if he had popped a few peppermints in his mouth before I arr
ived. That combined with his woodsy cologne had my senses in overdrive.
If I closed my eyes, I could imagine I was in the presence of any other good-smelling man who wasn’t my new boss.
He laughed, shaking his head. “Don’t let it get to your head. You still have a lot to learn, and Fallon’s the only assistant who lasted longer than six months.”
“Are you saying that maybe I should propose to Sean and become a Murphy? Is that the way I move up?”
I gasped, covering my mouth after realizing how far I stepped over the line on that one. Little jabs and joking at the gala were one thing. But I never thought of Sean as more than a brother. I would never think of being with a Murphy just to move up in the company. The family meant too much to my grandfather to do that to them. And that whole I-was-never-getting-married thing extended to even my best friend and his hot brothers.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to…”
He leaned in, the distance slowly closing between us.
My breath caught in my throat where I was pretty sure my heart also leaped to.
“I know you and Sean are old pals and you like to joke around. Same with you and me. We have a past together that hasn’t always been the best, especially after last weekend. But while we’re at the office, I’d like to keep this as professional as possible. Okay?” He raised his eyebrows, his eyes so dark they were practically midnight.
I knew it wasn’t so much of a question as it was a statement.
“Jack, are you being nice?” The question came from a deep Irish accent and I gasped with a jolt.
I jumped back. But Jack barely moved, looking over the monitor as his middle brother, Connor, breezed in with a tray of steaming foam cups in one hand and the other on his wife’s waist.
He grinned like he always did when I saw him, no matter if it was a photo on the internet or when we were kids. He always had the trademark Murphy dimples flashing.
With the beautiful wife next to him, they looked like the perfect pair. Like they belonged on a freaking romance novel.
“You probably need something stronger than a coffee. Maybe after quittin’ time, you can add a little something Irish to it,” Connor said with a wink once he reached us and handed me a cup.
Now things were starting to make sense. Figured Connor would have a gorgeous wife like her. So the blonde must be Fallon. She was a very lucky girl, even though he was a pain in the arse. At least he was the nicer of Sean’s older brothers.
“Thank you, Connor,” I said politely.
His smile turned into an all-out grin. “And thank you, Grace, for taking this job with my brother. I promise you; I won’t forget who you are, so no need to spill the coffee on me.”
Heat crept up my neck. I was going to be forever known as the girl who spilled drinks, even though it was an accident. Not exactly the impression I wanted to give, but I also didn’t expect to be offered a job after that, either.
“That was just an accident. Definitely won’t happen again. At least I hope not,” I muttered the last part.
“Connor, don’t you have somewhere to be so Fallon and Grace can get started on training?” Jack growled.
Connor’s happy face faded. Fallon pushed up her red-framed glasses and nodded slowly. It was as if they had an entire conversation just through their eye contact.
These two had only known each other for a few months from what Sean had said, but they were so in sync. A tinge of envy gurgled in my stomach. I’d only seen that in the movies and never had this with another person. Not even my best mates.
But I couldn’t concentrate on that. Then I’d start thinking about fairy tales and other things that weren’t ever going to happen for me.
“Guess this means you and I are going to go over reports while these two get started,” Connor said.
Jack nodded. “Yes.”
Neither of the men said another word as they headed to the office, shutting the door behind them.
“I’m Fallon, by the way. The one who emailed you. Connor’s wife. Jack’s former assistant. All of that.” She laughed slightly.
Everything about her was more laidback compared to my starched outfit that felt more like I was a little girl playing dress up. I should have just suggested I pick out my own outfit instead of Grandmum, and gone to a nice vintage shop or boutique for myself.
“I’m Grace.” I said, putting my hand out and shaking hers.
“I could tell the instant I walked in and saw Jack’s shoulders squared. I think you scare him and that’s something I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman do.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?” I asked, my heart beating faster at the thought.
Blast, Grace, get a grip.
She beamed. “I guess we’ll see. But first, I’ll get you signed into the system, and you can set your passwords.”
“Thanks for assuming I know how to use a computer.”
She blinked hard. “Please tell me that was sarcasm.”
I laughed before nodding. “Yeah. No need to worry about that one.”
…
The morning went by reasonably quick. Fallon helped me get situated on the company’s system and walked me through some of the programs to view Jack’s calendar and set up reports.
She was very easy to get along with and had an infectious laugh. I didn’t have many friends back in London since I was always working. I figured maybe Dublin was a chance for a new start and perhaps to make some new friends.
When lunchtime rolled around, I thought about asking Fallon to lunch as a thank you for helping me.
Before I could even ask her, though, the phone next to my desk rang.
“Offices of Jack Murphy, this is Grace, how may I help you?”
“Hi Grace, this is Michelle from security. There is a woman here by the name of Elizabeth Walsh who is here to see you. If you could please come down here to meet her.”
Every hair on the back of my neck stood on end.
“What is she doing here?” I hissed under my breath, wondering why my mother was at the office instead of walking my dog.
“Pardon?” Michelle asked.
“Nothing. Nothing. I’ll be down in a minute. Thank you. Goodbye,” I said quickly and hung up the call, looking to the wide-eyed Fallon.
“So my mum decided to stop by, for some unknown reason. You don’t mind if I head downstairs to talk to her for a few minutes, do you?” I asked, standing up and grabbing my purse.
Fallon shook her head and picked up her own bag. “No problem. I’ll walk you down there.”
“Okay. Thanks,” I said with a nod.
I probably shouldn’t have subjected myself to the embarrassment of my mum showing up at the office. But I wasn’t exactly sure how to get back down to the front desk, so I could use all of the help I could get.
Once we got to the main lobby, Fallon’s eyebrows shot up then both our eyes trailed to the woman in an empire waist dress and large sunhat, holding a box from a bakery.
“Mum. What an unexpected surprise. Is everything okay?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
Fallon bit her bottom lip, but I caught the hint of a smile.
Mum narrowed her eyes slightly and tilted her head. “Gracie, dear, it’s your first day at the office. I was able to use the key to get into your flat without a problem. After walking and feeding little Janey, I thought you might be hungry and brought some croissants from this little café. Probably not as good as the ones we had in London, but they’ll do.”
She held the box out to me, but her eyes and body kept pointing toward the closed door behind the giant oval oak desk of the security officers.
“Are you sure everything is all right?” I asked again, wondering if she wanted a tour of the building. With all of the security clearances, there was no way I could do that. And this wasn’t just some mom-and-pop shop. This was a large corporation with eight floors and the main level not only housed security, but a museum and one of the first Murphy’s
Pubs.
Mum waved her wrist. “Don’t be silly, darling, especially not in front of your colleagues.”
She put her hand out to Fallon. “I’m Elizabeth. Grace’s mother.”
Fallon stepped closer and shook her hand, her face practically glowing. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. I’m Fallon Murphy.”
Mum’s eyes widened. “As in Jack Murphy?”
Fallon laughed. “He’s my brother-in-law. I’m married to Connor, the middle Murphy brother.”
“Oh. Well, he’s a very lucky man, and it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Mum used the same too-cheery tone she had when she was trying to schmooze people.
I hated it on any ordinary occasion, but it especially made my blood boil today. Not just because it was my first day of work and she was interrupting, but because I genuinely liked Fallon and didn’t need Mum’s fakeness interfering.
“Mum, why don’t I walk you out? I’m sure you have some work you need to get back to around granddad’s house.” I squared my shoulders, taking the bakery box with a forced smile.
“Oh, darling, I always have time for my daughter.”
There went that voice again.
Sure, we had our moments of getting along. And dare I say even some laughs when we moved from the UK.
But we never were great pals like some mothers and daughters I always sort of envied. What we did was survival. To keep up appearances and not admit that either of us was flat broke, we moved to Dublin to “help out my grandparents.” But that was the closest we’d ever come to a bonding moment.
This was the woman who sent me to boarding school as soon as I was out of nappies and shipped me to Granddad’s every summer. She had no desire to spend a ton of alone time with me, and we both knew that. Now I needed to get to the bottom of why she was really here.
It took everything I had not to leave claw marks on her arm as I placed my hand near her elbow. “I could use some fresh air. Come on, I’ll show you out.”
Looking over my shoulder, Fallon gave me a sympathetic nod. “I’ll be back in a bit. I hope that’s okay.”
She nodded. “That’s fine. It’s about lunchtime anyway. Maybe we can grab a bite and bring some back to your boss, too. Do you think he likes pasty? Do you know what Jack likes, Fallon?”