Chapter 4 - Lev

Everything was all set up and going to plan. Vera was delighted at the prospect of having another helper around the office, only giving me a bit of pushback when I gave her all the details.

For a brief moment, it looked like she might argue, seeing right through my obvious ruse to get Jenna on board. Vera and I had worked together for a long time, and she was sharp as a tack, working her way up through the family business over the years. She had settled in well up here in San Fran, and our little lobbying firm was growing more powerful by the day, mostly due to her hard work.

"Look, if you're not impressed, you don't have to hire her," I'd told her, meaning it.

However, ever since Jenna scurried off the day after Christmas, foiling my plan for a fling, I'd been looking into her, trying to find the perfect way to finally meet her.

It was already impressive that she'd gotten into Berkeley with a partial merit scholarship, and even the fact that she was somewhat struggling now didn't dim my view of her. Who didn't get overwhelmed during their first year in college? She never gave up and was a hard worker according to Katie, who was constantly talking her out of getting jobs so she could concentrate on her studies. I admired her tenacity, never giving up even when she got knocked down.

According to my research, Jenna was also trying to get a job at a clothing boutique, but I'd make sure she was too busy for that soon enough.

No, the shine hadn't gone off my girl in the slightest, and Vera had to admit she was impressed after her interview.

"I'm happy to hire her," she said, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. "So, are you just trying to help out your brother's sister-in-law, or has the perpetual bachelor finally been caught?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, but she could see right through me.

My office manager had been happily married for about three years, and ever since her trip down the aisle, she'd been trying to set me up with women she deemed more suitable than the socialites and models who flocked to me for my money and power.

I had always turned Vera's choices down, happy to dabble with those women who had no interest in settling down, because I never wanted to get caught up.

Until now.

Vera was much too pleased with herself, thinking she'd finally cracked the code. I could count on her to be discreet because she was completely loyal to me, and she mostly didn't judge my choices. I shrugged off her curiosity and gave her a look that told her to stop meddling and remember that I was her boss. She said she'd send a message offering Jenna the job, and I went out to get a coffee to try to quench my eager excitement.

Maybe she was right, and I was caught up in Jenna. It was like I was a kid surrounded by presents and cake, not knowing what I wanted to dive into first. I couldn't wait to lay eyes on her again. Sure, there was the possibility it would end up being a big waste of time and not worth alienating Aleks. Either way, I would have fun finding out if she was truly the charming goddess I thought she was, and she'd get a course credit for it. No harm, no foul.

I was buzzing with anticipation as I grabbed my coffee and headed back to the office. It was just a twist of fate that the very girl I couldn't get out of my mind ran right into me on her way in. My coffee splattered all over the front of my suit, and Jenna was mortified, but I'd never been more pleased.

I would have let every last one of my expensive suits get destroyed for this chance to get to know her before I became her big, scary boss. Even flustered, she was as pretty as I remembered. Prettier, with the high color in her cheeks from embarrassment and her hair in a tight, business-like twist, I longed to run my fingers through to mess it up.

Just like I wanted to slip that form-fitting jacket off her shoulders and ease each tiny button of her blouse open to reveal more of her creamy skin. I was losing it and didn't care, pulling her into the line with me to buy her a drink. This wasn't part of the plan, but it felt serendipitous. Like we were really meant to be.

After spending all that time and energy arranging for her to be in my orbit, we still met by chance in a coffee shop in a city the size of San Francisco. As I was about to take her to a secluded table at the back of the shop, her whirlwind of a friend barreled in, full of questions about the interview.

Was there disappointment in Jenna's eyes? Did they linger on me as I left, telling her I hoped I'd see her again? Having to let her go so soon after finally getting to be close to her felt like a blow, but there was plenty of time. My plan was just coming together, and this was only the beginning.