Red

Part 6

Bucky

About an hour after Mallery disappears, l wander out of my office to find Wanda sitting alone at her desk.

"Where's Mal?" If I sound panicked, Wanda is smart enough not to call me out on it.

"She's down talking to HR," Wanda answers absentmindedly. "l wanted to push her paperwork through before l left."

"So, she's taking the job?"

Wanda rolls her eyes. "Isn't that what I said? I don't know what's going on with that girl, but she needs some help."

"Is it that obvious?" I lean against her desk and fold my arms over my chest. "Did she tell you anything?"

"She didn't have to, but I've seen a lot of shit in my life, James. It doesn't take a genius to see that she's battling with something right now."

I know it's written all over her face; you can't miss the bruises even if they're fading. Mallery looks like a lost soul when I see her, but I know at least some of what she's going through ... I never stopped to think that someone else might be able to see her struggle as well.

"She didn't really say anything to me." Wanda presses on in only the way she can. "But she did mention an ex who was showing up to her work and bothering her."

I nod. "Steve and Nat are worried. She hasn't told me everything, but I am too. She's—"

"She's important. I know." Wanda taps her temple, and I sigh. My assistant swore that she was a mind reader, but I knew she was just intuitive. She had a good handle on people; it's why we worked so well together. "When are you taking off?" Wanda smiles and rubs a hand across her stomach.

"In just a few minutes. I'm just leaving Mallery a few notes, and as soon as she's back, I'll take off."

"You'll let me know when you have those boys and when I can come by and see you, right?" I'm one of Wanda's biggest fans. She and her husband are incredible people, and while I'll miss having her around, I'm excited for her to become a mother and have this time away from work.

"I sure will. Vis will be happy to see you too." Footsteps interrupt us as Mallery approaches with a file folder in her arms and a wide smile across her face. "I take it Janet got you all set up?"

Mallery nods. "I know you're probably ready to leave, but I need to talk to Bucky for a few minutes before you do. Is that all right?"

I look between the two women before Wanda smiles. "Of course. I'll finish up my notes for you and let you know before I head out. I'm glad to know you'll be here while I'm gone."

I gesture toward my office, and Mallery leads the way. When I pull up behind her, she shuts the door and stares at me for a beat before starting in on me. "You promise this wasn't some kind of setup?"

"Whoa, what happened?"

"Tell me right now. Did you and Steve or Tash come up with this idea? Because I like working for Macy's, Bucky. I like my job." She's pacing and twirling a lock of her hair around her fingers. It's endearing, and it reminds me of the girl I fell for.

"Mallery, I didn't know you would come with me into the city today ... and I told you that I was planning to just hire a temp. If Wanda pushed you too far or you don't really want this job, say so now. We can fix it." I reach for her to stop her pacing, to comfort her and ease her, but she flinches from me, and I recoil.

I'm not offended, and I'm sure it was a gut reaction on her part.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, and I shake my head.

"You weren't looking at me. It's okay."

"This job would pay me three times what I make now, plus benefits." Mallery stops in her tracks to stare at me. "Is that really how much Wanda makes?" She flips open the folder to show me her salary mark.

"Um, I actually think Wanda makes more than that, but to be fair, she's been with me for five years now." I point out toward the outer office. "Feel free to ask her. There are no laws against that kind of talk here."

"Bucky!"

"I'm just saying that you will be getting paid what the job is worth. It's easy, but it is demanding. I'm not nice to work for; I had four other assistants before Wanda stuck it out."

"Benefits?"

"They start after ninety days. That's not a me thing."

"Attire?"

"Business casual, unless otherwise directed. I like to take Wanda on lunch meetings with colleagues and anyone I may want to deal with. She's good at reading people." I lean against my desk and look at Mallery as she continues to pace again.

"I'm not good at reading people."

"Maybe not, but you watch everything. I saw it today, and I've seen it at the house."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"John used to try to trick me into things, give me things to try and placate me."

I sigh. "I would have given you the world, Mal. I would have moved heaven and earth to give you the moon. But, I won't lie to you. I never have and I'm not about to start. I can understand you feeling like everyone might be out to get you or that you can't trust anyone, but—"

"I've always been able to trust you." She lets out a sigh, but she doesn't sound resigned. Instead, she sounds reminded, renewed.

"Give it a month. If you hate it, if I am the worst boss, then you can leave."

"Deal." She marches out of the office, and I can hear her speaking to Wanda as I let out a shuddering breath. What have I gotten myself into?