Divorced, Free, and Single

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Do you want me to come?” she asked, and the heat rose to her cheeks as a smile twitched his lips at what she had said. “Erm – I – mean would you like me to go down to the foyer with you,” she rephrased, quickly.

  Unable to help himself, he gave a chuckle.

  “No, you have been through enough for your first morning. This should not take too long, then if you do not mind I should like to go over some work with you.”

  “Of course, that’s erm, fine. Is it okay if I nip to personnel and get my photo done for my pass,” she asked.

  “Of course,” he replied. Jane walked out of his office and with her back to him; she rolled her eyes for being such an idiot.

  He left the office and she went to personnel.

  An hour and a half later, he waltzed into the office. She had not been back that long herself, she glanced up at him, and he looked wrecked.

  “Coffee?” she asked.

  “Please, black,” he said, with a smile and he went into his office. She grabbed him a coffee and took it into him.

  “How did it go?” she asked, giving him the coffee.

  “Thank you,” he said, and he took a welcome sip. He slung his jacket over the back of his chair, sat down, loosened his tie, and ran his fingers through his hair, making it stick up again.

  “Bloody terrible,” he groaned. Jane sat down in the chair opposite him.

  “What happened?”

  “I hate firing my staff. I understand people have mortgages to pay, families to support, but what was I supposed to do? He is so lucky the woman involved is not pressing charges against him, otherwise getting fired would have been the least of his worries.”

  “Are you pressing charges for assault?” she asked. He shook his head.

  “No, god no, that would be a bloody nightmare.” He looked at his watch.

  “Jane, do you fancy grabbing an early lunch, I could really do with some fresh air?”

  “Sure,” she said. All she had was an uninspiring cheese sandwich in her brief case, besides, she could not resist those eyes, and he genuinely looked distressed.

  “I have got to pop over to personnel, shall I meet you in the foyer…”

  His phone buzzed.

  He reached over the desk and put it on loudspeaker.

  “Alexander Hartley-Stone,” he answered.

  “Mrs Hartley-Stone is here to see you,” she said.

  “Really?” he said, sounding surprised. “Okay, great, send her up, thanks, Louise.” Jane swallowed, Mrs Hartley-Stone, he said he was not married. Had she slept with not only her new boss, but also a married man? She was not sure whether to be angry or not.

  “Sorry, Jane, have to put a hold on lunch for the time being,” he said, as he made his way to the toilet. She followed him out of his office and watched as he looked in the mirror. He made sure his nose did not look too bad, tidied his hair, and straightened his tie.

  There was a knock at the door. She glanced towards it a little apprehensively. Was she going to be pretty, slim, blonde, or dark? He hurried to the door and opened it.

  “Mum,” he said, giving the woman a hug. “How great to see you, what are you doing in the city, and why did you not call me.” Mum! Her heart flipped. Mrs Hartley-Stone was his mother. She almost laughed aloud.

  “It was unplanned darling, spur of the moment. I am meeting the Smiths for lunch, thought I would pop by for a quick coffee, if you have time?”

  “Mum, I always have time for you,” he said, giving her another hug. As he looked over her shoulder, he glanced at her. “Oh, Mum, this is Jane my new PA, she started this morning.” His mother turned to her.

  “Hello, Jane, nice to meet you. I hope you know what you’ve let yourself in for,” she said, and she laughed as Alex shook his head.

  “Ignore her,” he said to Jane.

  “So, Alexander,” his mother said, staring at his face. “Has she bashed you one already for being terribly annoying?”

  “What? Oh, my nose, no I had a little trouble with an ex-employee, but it has all been taken care of so do not go worrying about it. Jane, do you mind grabbing a coffee? Mum has hers white with one sugar.”

  “Of course,” she replied.

  “Thank you,” he said, and his eyes wandered over her again, before he ushered his mother into his office and closed the door.

  She went into the kitchen, and made herself and his mother a coffee.

  She knocked on his door.

  “Come in, Jane,” his deep, sexy voice called. She took a breath and using her elbow, she opened the door.

  “There you go,” she said, putting the mug down.

  “Thank you dear,” his mother said, giving her a smile.

  “Thanks, Jane.”

  “No problem,” she replied, her eyes lifting to his. “Is there anything else?” she asked.

  “No, thanks,” he replied. She turned around and closed the door. Bloody hell, how was she going to do any work when all she was wanted was to take his clothes off and have sex with him on his desk. It was big enough, and being in oak, strong enough to accommodate two writhing bodies. She sat down, took a breath, and sipped her coffee. She switched on the computer, and opened the top drawer of her desk. There was a folder so she took it out and opened it, and it was some notes left by the last PA. That was helpful.

  It turned out Alexander was a publishing Director and an editor, so this job looked like it was going to be interesting. There was already a pile of envelopes full of manuscripts sitting in the in-tray. She drank her coffee as she read his ex-PA’s notes, and by the end of it, she knew she would be able to do this job with her eyes shut. She checked the filing cabinet and found it to be in good order.

  She sat back down at her desk, and reached into her bag and pulled out a photo of the boys. She smiled as she looked at them. They were both good-looking boys, and even though they were twins, Michael looked so much like Sam that sometimes she found it quite difficult. As she placed it on her desk, she noticed her phone flashing, she picked it up, and it was a text from Michael.

  ‘Mum,’ it read, “Coming home on Tuesday and bringing a friend if that’s okay – I was going to call but I know you start your new job today. He needs somewhere to stay for a couple of weeks, over summer half term, and I said you would not mind. Love you, Mike xx’. Jane sighed. That was just like Michael, so, no, she did not mind, most of his university friends were okay. Jack was going on a fishing trip with his dad for half term so there was a spare bed. Michael did not want to go, as he still found what his dad had done to her hard to accept. He tolerated him, and for now, that was about it.

  She glanced at Alex’s door, and sent Sophie and Claire a quick text.

  “You are not going to believe who is my new boss! Only Alex! xxx”

  Claire was the quickest to respond and she laughed.

  “Not the hot guy you shagged at the party?”

  “Yes,” she replied.

  “Holy fuck! Seriously…. Haa haa!” Sophie’s came through.

  “Not Alex, Alex??????? The one you have been drooling about all week!”

  “Yes Alex, Alex!” she text, back.

  “Hell, are you okay?” she asked.

  “Yes I am fine, although I REALLY want to have him on his desk! lol xxx”

  “Hey, you go girl  xxx,” Sophie replied. They text back and forth a few times, until she said she had to get back to work.

  She looked at the pile of post on her desk, in her notes his last PA had said to open, and sort the post. Jane took up a letter opener, and began. A lot of them were from people asking about publishing their books, there were a few from some agents, but one in particular caught her eye. It was an invitation to a book launch party, and as she read it, she recognised the writer as she had read all of his books. Alex it seemed was the man’s publisher, and it was in Aberdeen next month. It was a black tie event, with champagne cocktails and evening dinner. She put it at the top of the pile, as she was sure he would want to go to
that. She really hoped it was going to be one of the trips that she would have to make with him.

  Alex glanced at her as she left his office. He still could not believe she was here, working for him, it had to be fate it had to be.

  “Alexander,” his mother said. He blinked and looked at her.

  “Sorry, I was miles away.”

  “Yes, I could see that,” she said with a smile. He leant forward across his desk and lowered his voice as if afraid of Jane overhearing him.

  “Mum, it is her,” he whispered. His mother leaned towards him.

  “Her, what do you mean, Alex?” she asked. His face was lit up with something she had never seen in him before, his eyes were sparkling, and he looked happy.

  “My PA, Jane, she is the girl I told you about, the one I met last weekend at the hotel.” Obviously, he had not told his mother everything about that night. Only that he had met the woman of his dreams and he was kicking himself that he had not taken her phone number or her address.

  His mother sat back.

  “How is it her, how can she be your new PA?” He shrugged but smiled at the same time.

  “I do not know. After Mary left I did not have the heart to interview anyone so I left it to personnel, I mean who could replace Mary. Then there she was this morning, standing at my door.”

  “So, what did she say, how did she react?”

  “Well, shocked at first like I was, and well, maybe she was a little bit awkward,” he replied. His mother raised an eyebrow.

  “You slept with her?” she accused.

  “Mum, seriously,” he replied, sitting back in his chair, and running his hands through his hair.

  “Oh, Alexander,” she groaned.

  “Mum, I do not do that, really, not ever, but there was something about her, and she felt the same. She has just got divorced, and well there was a connection between us, and we could not help it.”

  “Everyone can help it, Alexander, it is called keeping it in your pants,” she huffed.

  “Mum, come on please, I did not know she was my new PA or I would never have. I have not had a proper relationship for well, never,” he said, tilting his chair back and swinging on it.

  “So what are you going to do?” she asked. He sat forward and placed his hands on the table.

  “I do not know,” he said, and he frowned.

  “Alex,” she said, dipping her head so she could see his face.

  “Mum, I think I love her, really love her,” he confessed.

  “Good god, are you kidding me!” she said shocked.

  “No I am not,” he retorted. A smile spread across her face.

  “Thank heavens, finally,” she bleated, clapping her hands together.

  “Mum, you are not to interfere,” he said.

  “Alexander Hartley-Stone, you are forty years old and never once have you told me you love someone.”

  “Think I love someone, Mum, I mean, how can that happen, like that?” he asked.

  “Alex, sometimes it does, fate can be cruel, but it can also be kind and surprising. If she is divorced, does she have any children?”

  “Yes, two boys, but they are at University,” he replied.

  “She does not look old enough,” his mother replied.

  “No, she is only thirty seven, I checked her personnel file, she had them young, and from what I have gathered so far, she was not in a happy relationship. In fact...” he stopped for a moment as he thought back.

  “What is it, Alex?” she asked.

  “I think he used to beat her.”

  “Why, did she tell you so?”

  “No, but,” he took a breath. He was close to his mother and always had been, and they spoke about most things, although his love life or lack of it was not generally a conversation piece, except for her constant nagging about him finding himself a wife.

  “But what, Alex?” she pushed.

  “When I went to kiss her, I lifted my hand to cup her cheek and she flinched back, as if I was going to hit her.” His mother nodded, knowing that reaction well.

  “So how does she feel about you, do you think she wants a relationship?”

  “I am not sure. I mean, I can sure as hell feel the tension between us, but she said she was sure that we could keep the relationship professional.”

  “Yes, well, she probably does not realise your feelings for her. She probably thinks you are like most of the arseholes who are directors for large corporate companies, out for what they can get.”

  “Mum, I am not like that,” he said, knowing she was referring to his father. He picked his mobile up from the desk and looked at the screen saver.

  “Yes, Alexander, I do, but she does not. If I were you I would take it slow, give her time to settle in, get to know her a little more and see what happens.” He nodded.

  “Yes, but it is going to be hard, look at her, I took this without her knowing and I have been staring at her all week,” he confessed. She reached over and took his phone. She looked at the photo he had taken of Jane asleep. Alex had zoomed into show her face, and not her naked body, half covered with a sheet.

  “Does she know about this?” she asked. He shook his head, and took it back from her.

  “If you do love her as you say, you will have to wait until she is ready. If she has just come out of a violent relationship, she will not be looking to jump into another relationship just yet, give her time.”

  Half an hour later, they emerged from his office.

  “Goodbye, Jane, dear,” his mother said. She stood up.

  “Goodbye, Mrs Hartley-Stone, nice to have met you,” she replied.

  “You too, take care of my boy,” she said, and she smiled at her.

  “I will,” she replied, and as she caught Alex’s face, he was smiling too.

  “Bye, Mum. See you at the weekend.”

  “Bye, Alexander.” Alex closed the door and rolled his eyes.

  “Mothers,” he said, and she laughed. “Right, ready for that lunch?” he asked.

  “What about personnel?” she reminded and he groaned, and looked at his watch.

  “Okay, in the foyer, half an hour,” he said. She nodded and watched as he left.

  She nipped to the loo, and checked herself in the mirror. Jane reapplied her lipstick, and tided her hair. She had put it up in a bun this morning, trying to go for the professional look, but it was giving her a headache so she pulled it out and let it loose. She brushed it, and pushed it back behind her shoulders. Locking her computer, she grabbed her bag, and headed for the lift.

  While she waited for Alex, she chatted to Louise on reception. She was in her fifties and chatty, and they agreed to meet up for lunch later in the week.

  “Ready?” Alex asked as he walked toward her.

  “Yes, bye, Louise,” Jane said.

  “Bye,” Louise replied, and she smiled at Alex as he walked past.

  They exited the building, and the warmth of the sun washed over them.

  “Wow, it is hot out here,” he said. An air-conditioned building gave you no clue as to the weather outside. “So what do you fancy?” he asked, looking at her. She looked up at him – you.

  “I don’t mind. I don’t really know my way around London,” she confessed.

  “Okay, my choice,” he said. He went to take her hand, and as his fingers touched hers, it sent a shockwave right up her arm. She pulled back from him.

  “Ah, right,” he said, taking her hint and putting his hands into his trouser pockets.

  “PA’s do not hold hands with their boss, Alex,” she said firmly.

  “No, quite right, sorry, it was instinctive.” He smiled, and for a second she almost crumbled, and reached for his hand, but instead she ran them through her hair.

  “Were you not wearing you hair up earlier?” he asked, as they walked.

  “Very observant of you,” she joked, “yes I did, but it was giving me a headache.”

  “Here we are,” he said, stopping outside a restaurant. />
  “Chinese,” she said.

  “Of course,” he replied, and he gave her a smile, as he pushed the door open.

  “Well, I haven’t had my first pay check yet,” she replied, returning his smile. He had remembered Chinese was her favourite food.

  “Of course, I am buying. It is a business lunch,” he said, with a grin. “It goes onto expenses,” he added.

  Shown to a table for two at the back of the restaurant, they went up together to select their meal from the buffet.

  “You have not got much,” he commented, as they sat down and he looked at her plate.

  “Alex, if I eat too much I will be spending the afternoon asleep at my desk.”

  “Ah, fair point,” he replied.

  “You obviously do not have that problem,” she remarked, looking at his plate. “You can go up as often as you like, you don’t have to pile it all on at once,” she teased.

  “Stress makes me hungry,” he replied, with a shrug. She tilted her head as she watched him eat, not sure, if she was going to have the will power to keep this relationship professional.

  “So you are stressed?” she asked. He looked up from his plate, and lifted an eyebrow.

  “I used to love this business, but lately.” He shook his head.

  “Lately, what?” she asked.

  “Well, like I said on Saturday, I have been thinking there is more to life than work. Publishing used to fun, but now it so cut throat, most of the rewards are gone. I mean financially, we are making a fortune, especially with the likes of Jackson.”

  “Ah, the party next month,” she remarked. He nodded.

  “I was going to put it in the diary this afternoon at our meeting, but I would like you come with me for that one. It is going to be a great weekend.”

  “Oh god, I’d love too. I love that man’s books,” she replied, her fork hovering in front of her mouth. “And all the movies,” she added. The way he stared at her reminded her of last Saturday night, his eyes were so gentle, so kind, so loving.

  “Yes, well. There will be some work to do, obviously.”

  “Of course,” she said, pulling herself out of her dream, and filling her mouth with some food.

  As she ate Alex thought about what his mother had said, about giving her time, but he was not sure if he could wait, he needed to find out how she felt about him.