Chapter 2

TREVOR

The rest of the day seemed to drag on forever despite being extremely busy. A storm the night before had caused technical issues for several of our clients and I'd spent most of the afternoon bouncing around from one building to another, making repairs and helping them get their systems back up and running.

Thankfully, the issues were fairly easy to fix because I was finding it nearly impossible to concentrate. My mind kept wandering back to what had happened that morning. The job seemed almost too good to be true and I had to keep pinching myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming.

After I'd filled out all the usual tax forms and new-hire paperwork, Kelly handed me a contract to sign. Mr. Marshall hadn't gone into much detail other than mentioning the very generous salary. So, I was shocked to read I'd also have full medical and dental benefits starting immediately along with paid sick time and three weeks' vacation the first year. That was more than I'd had with any other job.

I'd left Marshall Industries feeling like I'd just won the lottery. My excitement momentarily took a back seat as I watched the tow truck I'd called pulling away with Trixie, but it came right back as I fired off a text to Doug.

ME: U home tonight? Got news to share.

DOUG: Yep. What kinda news?

ME: The good kind.

DOUG: How good?

ME: Extremely good.

DOUG: Tell me now.

ME: No time. Gotta run.

DOUG: You suck.

ME: No, that would be you.

DOUG: And I'm so good at it.

I laughed out loud at his response. Doug and I had been best friends since fifth grade and there wasn't much we didn't share with each other, including talking about our sex lives.

Not that I had much to contribute to the conversation. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time I'd had sex. Sure, I'd had a few girlfriends in college and a couple of random hook ups since then, but it always felt like something was missing. I couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly. I only knew I hadn't found it with any of my previous partners.

Doug, on the other hand, kept a steady stream of men going in and out of his bedroom. I liked to joke that if he started charging admission, he'd probably make enough to start his own restaurant, a dream he'd had since we were kids.

Maybe one day he'd find someone who made him want to settle down, but as he often said, he was too busy with his career to deal with the kind of entanglements that came with being in a relationship.

For now, he preferred to focus on his catering business which not only made decent money, but was helping him build his culinary reputation around the city. When he finally opened his restaurant—and I knew he would—he'd already have a good customer base of people who loved his cuisine.

When I finished with my last client I headed back to the office to hand in my notice. My supervisor was disappointed but nice about it, promising that I would always have a job with them if I wanted to return. I didn't bother telling him I hoped that never happened.

Feeling lighter than I had in years, I hopped on a bus, eager to get home. When I got to my neighborhood, I made a quick pit stop at our favorite pizza place and ordered a large supreme. It was a bit of a splurge, but tonight called for a celebration.

"Lucy, I'm home," I called out in my best Ricky Ricardo impersonation as I walked through the door.

"Oh, Ricky! You brought dinner!" Doug sang as he came out of his room, batting his eyelashes dramatically like Lucille Ball.

I laughed, handing him the box. "Here, take this please. I need to go scrub off the public transportation grime real quick before we eat."

His eyebrows scrunched together. "Public transportation? What happened to Trixie?"

I shook my head. "I've got so much to catch you up on. But first…shower."

Doug chuckled. "Okay, okay. Go get cleaned up. I'll get dinner ready. What do you want to drink?"

"A glass of wine, please. On second thought, bring the whole bottle. We have a lot to talk about," I said, purposefully sounding mysterious.

"You're killing me. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know."

"You little shit!" Doug swatted at me with his hand, but I danced out of the way, laughing as I hurried off to the bathroom.

I was still grinning as I emerged from my bedroom a short while later, having showered and changed into a comfy pair of sweats and an old concert tee. It felt good to be home.

Our apartment was tiny, even by New York City standards, with a small kitchenette in the corner of the living room, a bathroom that wasn't much bigger than a broom closet, and two bedrooms that barely had enough space for our queen-size beds. It was cramped and we were constantly having to shuffle around each other, but somehow it worked.

We'd made it as homey as we could, painting the walls a light, cheery blue. The beautiful, framed landscape photos we'd bought at a local craft fair provided a better view than any window in the city. Well…maybe not the view from Mr. Marshall's office because let's face it, that had been impressive as hell.

Colorful throw pillows helped spruce up the ratty old couch we'd bought from a second-hand store, and the brightly designed area rug I'd managed to nab on sale a few years back kept our feet from getting too cold during the harsh winters.

Doug was waiting for me on the couch, the pizza and a tossed salad sitting on the coffee table. I sat on the other end of the couch, pulling my legs up under me.

It was quiet for several minutes as we dug into our food. The salad tasted delicious with Doug's own raspberry vinaigrette and perfectly crusted homemade croutons. The pizza was gooey and cheesy, and I wiggled in my seat, humming happily as I chewed.

Doug snorted a laugh. "Someone's in a good mood. Are you finally going to tell me what all of this is about?"

"Correction. I'm in a great mood."

I went for another slice, but he snatched the box up and held it out of reach, shaking his head at me. "Uh-uh. Not until you spill. What's this news you have?"

With a laugh, I began telling him about my day beginning with Trixie's final ride. We took a moment to mourn the loss and appreciate the ending of an era before I continued. I explained the rest of what happened, including the identity mix-up and ending with the amazing job offer.

He stared at me incredulously. "So, let me get this straight. You show up there to do one job, get mistaken for someone else, and somehow end up with a completely new job? One that pays three times what you've been making?"

"That pretty much sums it up." No longer interested in the pizza, I set my empty plate aside. I took a sip of my wine and relaxed against the arm of the couch.

He mirrored my pose, leaning back with his legs stretched out towards me. I shifted, making room for him to tuck his feet in beside me then grabbed the quilt off the back of the couch and spread it across our laps.

It was cozy and warm and not for the first time, I thought how lucky I was to have a friend to come home to. I couldn't imagine being all alone in the city, like so many other people.

Doug's expression was serious. "This sounds like a great opportunity, but are you sure it isn't a little too good to be true? I mean, what do you even know about this guy? Or about being a PA for that matter?"

I knew he wasn't saying it to be a buzzkill, he was just worried about me, and I suppose to someone who hadn't been there, it did sound a little sketchy. Even I had had to pinch myself to be sure it was real.

Of course, I was nervous about taking on a position I wasn't familiar with. I wasn't even sure what being a personal assistant entailed. Would I be required to pick up Mr. Marshall's dry cleaning? Buy his groceries? Walk his dog for him? Did he even have a dog?

I shrugged, getting back on topic before my thoughts could carry me too far away. "I made it very clear I had no experience, but he insisted he wanted to hire me anyway. As far as my new boss goes, I don't know much. I've done work in the building before and I know the company is a top-tier client, one of those that we drop whatever we're doing if they call."

His eyebrows knitted together. "What did you say his name is?"

"Mr. Marshall of Marshall Industries. I don't know if he owns it or if it's a family business and he just works there, but I got the feeling he was pretty important."

Doug's eyes widened. "Hang on a second." He pulled his phone out of his back pocket, his thumbs flying furiously over the screen. Then he held it out to me. "Is this the guy who hired you?"

I leaned in to get a better look. The photo must have been taken at some formal event, because Mr. Marshall was dressed in a black tuxedo, a glass of champagne in his hand, and looking every bit like he should be on the cover of GQ magazine. He exuded confidence and sophistication and that same strange swooping sensation I'd felt when he touched my arm, swirled in my stomach as I took him in.

"Yeah, that's him," I said in a shaky voice. What the hell was the matter with me? I was straight. I was attracted to women. I'd never even paid any attention to another man, so what was it about this particular man that caused me to feel so off kilter?

"Fucking hell, Trev! Do you realize who he is?"

"Um…Mr. Marshall? Like I said."

Doug rolled his eyes. "Yes. Mr. Marshall. As in Donovan Marshall. Owner of Marshall Industries."

"I figured he might be?—"

"But that's not all." He scrambled to his knees as he went on, excitement making him grab hold of my shoulders, giving me a little shake. "He's also one of the richest, most powerful men in New York, as well as being named the city's most eligible bachelor. And you are going to be working right alongside him. That's huge! He's something of an enigma. Other than business related stuff, he's very private. No one seems to know much about him, which only adds to his appeal. Tall, dark, and mysterious? Yes, please!"

I shrugged. "I guess so. But why are you so worked up over this?"

"Because this is the most exciting thing to ever happen to me!" he exclaimed, finally releasing his hold on me.

I shot my friend a withering look as I smoothed out my shirt. "To you? In case you've forgotten, I'm the one who's going to be his PA."

Doug waved his hand in the air as if my words were inconsequential. "Yes, but Donovan Marshall is gay, or at least people assume he is since he's only ever had men as dates when he attends various functions. So, I know you won't be interested, but if your best friend just happens to stop by the office one day to bring you lunch?—"

"You have never brought me lunch at work bef—" My words cut off as Doug's hand shot out and he used his thumb and forefinger to pinch my lips closed. I might have shoved him off the couch if I wasn't so shocked…and amused.

"As I was saying, your best friend will—out of the kindness of his own heart—show up with lunch. Of course, there will be enough for your boss as well and after just one taste of my cooking, he'll decide he can't live without me. Food is, after all, the surest way to a man's heart."

His eyes took on a far away look as he continued with his little fantasy. "We'll enjoy a whirlwind romance and then he'll whisk me away to Paris or Rome where we'll have a lavish wedding under the stars. Eventually, we'll have a few kids, using his sperm so they look like him, because COME ON! That jaw line? Those eyes? But we'll also have nannies on hand to take care of the little critters at night so we can spend our time fucking until neither of us can walk straight."

"Mmff mgh mffffmmf—" I said when he'd finally finished talking.

"What?" Doug said, finally releasing his grip on my mouth.

I frowned at him as I rubbed a hand over my abused lips. "I said, you are delusional."

He sank back in his seat with a dreamy sigh. "You never know. Stranger things have happened. He could see me one day and decide, ‘you know what? That guy looks like he could use a good dicking.'"

"Oh my God! Stop!" I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "I have to work with this man. The last thing I need is to be thinking about you and him doing the dirty deed."

"Dirty deed?" Doug snorted. He started to say something else, but a knock on the door stopped him. He tossed the blanket off his lap and stood.

"Are you expecting someone?" I asked.

"Remember that hot waiter I was telling you about?"

My forehead crinkled. "The one from Le Fleur?"

"Yeah. Well, it turns out he has a twin brother and they're both interested in doing…what did you call it? The dirty deed!"

I laughed as he waggled his eyebrows at me. "Okay, well, you enjoy all that." I stood, grabbing the pizza box so I could take it to the trash chute but stopped when Doug suddenly wrapped his arms around me.

I tilted my head at him, surprised by the softness in his eyes. "I just want you to know, I'm happy for you. This new job sounds like a great opportunity. And who knows? Maybe it'll lead you to a whole new world. One you never imagined for yourself. I don't know anyone who deserves that more."

I smiled warmly. "Thank you. I'm nervous, but I'm going to give it my best."

"You always do." He gave me one last squeeze then went to open the door for his guests.

I busied myself with cleaning up the kitchen but couldn't resist peeking as Doug ushered the identical twins past, showing off matching dimples when they grinned at me. The eagerness on their faces reminded me of excited puppies and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing as I pictured them each with a tail wagging behind them.

I turned back to my cleaning as he showed them to his room, but then he popped his head back out. "Oh, hey! I almost forgot. I've got a job lined up for a few weekends from now. It's supposed to be a big party. Lots of guests, very fancy. I really need this to go well, so I could use some extra help. Would you mind?"

"Of course I don't mind, as long as Mr. Marshall doesn't need me for anything. You know I'll help any way I can."

"They told me they are hoping to find a caterer who will handle all their parties, so if this goes well, it may become a regular gig."

"That would be great, and I know you'll do amazing. Count me in."

He grinned. "Thanks. Maybe things are finally turning around for both of us."

I smiled back at him. "I guess this was our lucky day."

Doug waggled his eyebrows at me. "And mine's about to get even luckier. Night!"

I shook my head, laughing as he shut the door. I finished cleaning then made my way around the apartment, locking the door and turning off the lights.

I could hear muffled voices and a few laughs behind Doug's bedroom door and then one very long, very obvious moan. As more started, I hurried to my room where I climbed into bed and shoved my Airpods in my ears.

I'd learned long ago that if I wanted to get any sleep, I needed to drown out the noise before they could get too carried away and tonight didn't seem like it would be any different.

With my playlist playing in my ears, I drifted off to sleep where I dreamed of a fancy party where there were twin puppies running around and a dark, brooding man in a tuxedo.