His Assistant ✅

8. The Lunch from Hell

"How many cups of coffee have you gone through already this morning?" Alison asks as she walks into the kitchen wearing a pair of satin pink pajama shorts and a white v-neck. I down the rest of my cup and shrug.

"I lost count after three."

"Josh" she scolds, taking my cup from my hands and placing it in the sink. "You cannot keep living off caffeine. You need to get some sleep."

"I can't sleep. If I sleep I think of her and that is not an option. I have to stay professional and I can't do that if my dreams are filled with her doing very unprofessional things" I explain.

After Maya had left the office I went home and spent my evening trying to shake thoughts of the gorgeous blonde but it was impossible. Finally I tried to get some rest to quiet my head but in the end that turned out to be even worse.

"Josh just tell the poor girl you like her. I can't keep watching you put yourself through this. Hell, she may even like you too."

I scoff. "That would be impossible Al and you and I both know it" I add dismissively as I stand up and grab my keys. "I gotta get to work-."

"No" Ali argues as she snatches my keys. "Sit down" she orders. My eyes widen.

"Excuse me?"

"Sit" she demands, pointing to my chair. I want to defy her, argue that I'm a grown man who doesn't need to listen to this but she has my car keys and my spare keys are somewhere in my bedroom closet.

I sigh, taking a seat. "What Ali?"

"Claire was a gold-digging bitch" she says, cutting right to the chase. "She saw the potential in you and she decided to latch herself onto you like a parasite so that she could bask in your fortune. I know she hurt you when she left and I know she ruined love for you-."

"Is there a point to this?" I snap.

"Not every woman is Claire" she replies bluntly. "You've written off every single woman as a gold digger who will never love you as much as they love your wallet but that's not true. Babe you're an amazing guy who any woman would be lucky to have. Stop assuming that you're only worth what your bank statement says." Silence falls around us for a long moment and she rolls her eyes as she hands over my keys. "You don't have to believe me but I promise this girl is going to prove you wrong."

"Whatever you say" I shrug as I pick up my keys. "I love you" I smile as I kiss her cheek. "And thank you for the advice" I add making a smile tug at her lips as I walk out of the house. I knew she meant well and I appreciated her attempt at making me feel better.

I climb into the car and put the key in the ignition before reaching forward and turning up the dial on the stereo. I flip to the country station and head off into work.

I could only hope that today wouldn't be as stressful as yesterday. My dream for today was to hole up in my office and avoid everyone...especially Maya.

I pull up to work and park the car before heading into the building. I take the elevator up to the third floor but when I step off all my dream go right out the window because standing in front of my office is Maya wearing a black dress that hugs every one of her curves and right next to her is my brother Eric.

"Fuck" I mutter as I take a step towards them. "Morning" I greet them, plastering a smile onto my face.

Maya turns and a smile instantly pulls at her lips. My heart skips a beat. "Hi" she greets me. "You're late" she adds teasingly. She's clearly in a good mood and she seems much more relaxed than she usually is but I could chalk that up to spending time with my brother. He could be a goof sometimes.