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“Of course Unfortunately, he’s unavailable right this moment Can I help you instead?”

Another, longer pause Tony hates dealing withto wo hih over the line “We’re going to be late with the Tuesday shipment—”

“Why is that, exactly?” I keep a smile onover the phone

Through theof his office, Luke’s expression is torn so this Like I always do There’s a reason I’ bucks

I’ every annoyance the world throws our way Luke is the ideas guy, great at leading the co neild plans for where to take it But I’s done

Tony rah a million explanations, all of which I’ve heard before They boil down to crappy excuses for why he hasn’t been doing his job

“So there’s no way you’ll have the shipment processed in the next five days?” I clarify “In that case, why don’t I just call Morgan and her crew” The night shift in the warehouse and Tony’s mortal enemy “We can afford to pay them overtime if it will make the difference here”

Tony hesitates Clears his throat I know he’s weighing his options Get the overti bad excuses and give up the overtime pay—and the credit—to his arch-nemesis?

I sot him

“No, you knohat, we can ht to add in a few overtiuys…”

“Of course” My smile widens “Thank you so h the open door “You’re welcome”

Luke winks “You’re an angel, Celia”

An angel My heart skips a beat I file that away, into the mental file filled with every coot proeneral secretarial pool and into my position as head assistant for Luke Rossfield, President and CEO Billionaire genius inventor