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"Is he married?"

She shook her had swiftly "No"

"Has he taken advantage of you?"

She couldn't help blushing "No No, it's not like that The problem is, he doesn't know I exist while I…I-"

"You what?"

"I' she could just crawl into some city manhole and hide "Hopelessly crazy"

"That does sound bad"

"It is," she answered huskily, her voice breaking

She could feel his gaze rest on her, felt what seemed to be sympathy, and she didn't want it fro for a new job I knew this wasn't working out and I thought change was necessary I thought it'd be wise to put some distance between us"

Mr Grady looked troubled "But if he doesn't know?"

"It doesn't matter if he knows or not, I know I knohen he's here I listen for his footsteps, for his voice, for everything" She bit her lip, fought for control "But it's too painful I can't do this anymore"

He studied her for a long silent moment and then shook his head "Fine Tell me his name and I'll fire him"

Winnie nearly fell off her chair "Mr Grady!"

"I' to let one of my most valuable staff members ruin her career"

"You can't blame him!"

"I don't But I' to stand by and watch you walk out because so around your heart If you can't stand coive et this over with"

She couldn't believe he was serious He'd fire someone because she wasn't happy here anymore? "You can't be serious"

"He'll get an excellent severance package"

"Mr Grady!"

"And the best references"

"No"

"I want his name"

"No" Her phone rang and she looked at the handset where the nuain," she said, heart harateful for the interruption

"His name, Winnie"

Her phone rang again She tensed,a third ti to answer Do you want to take the call or should I take a e?"

He didn't say a word, his dark blue gaze locked with hers He didn't look angry as much as determined, jaw jutted, expression intense

Winnie reached for the phone, "Mr Grady's office, may I help you?"

He gave his head a slow shake andto his office

He remained sequestered in his office on the call with Shipley's Bank for nearly two hours before leaving directly for aacross town

After he left, Winnie let out a long sigh of relief She'd been sitting on pins and needles the past two hours and wanted nothing et a break herself She opted for a rare luxury-lunch out, heading down the street to her favorite deli two blocks away

But not even a lunch out could erase her worry

Business and pleasure didn't mix Careers were destroyed over office romances It'd be disastrous for her to reer She felt it in every bone of her body