“I know I keep you very busy but two of your projects are concluding. I can easily hand them over to another associate to tie them up,” he said. “Your third assignment is just beginning. It is still in an early enough stage for me to assign it to someone else. Your preliminary notes should make it a smooth transition to the new associate. With those projects re-assigned it would free you up to help Tyler.”
“I guess it would. Well, if you feel that I would be of value to him then I would be glad to assist him,” Lacy said. She wasn’t happy about giving off her unfinished projects to someone else. Lacy took pride in finishing what she started. But she couldn’t refuse the new assignment; not if she wanted to keep her job.
“You will be of great value, Lacy. I don’t know what I would do without you. And I’m sure Tyler will feel the same once you begin working for him,” Allen praised.
“How long will I be working for him? And what about you? You will still need an assistant. Will I be assisting both of you?” she asked.
“No. I am, going out of the country to Bergen, Switzerland for real estate development discussions with their president,” he said. “From there I am headed to Norway for similar talks.”
“Wow! It sounds like you will be gone for quite some time,” she commented.
“It will be a rather extensive trip. Kim will be joining me as we intend to enjoy the sights while there,” he explained.
“That sounds great,” Lacy smiled genuinely. She liked his wife, Kim and thought they were the perfect couple. She used to hope that she would find a man that would be her ideal mate. But that dream was fading fast. Men just were not into her and she didn’t know what to do to entice them. She wasn’t aggressive with men and preferred to hang back and let them come to her. But the problem was that they never came. Penny told her countless times that she had to be more forward. That it was okay if she approached a man to talk with him. But Lacy didn’t have the nerve to do that. And even if she did muster the courage to approach him, she wouldn’t know what to say to him. She would become tongue tied and make a fool of herself.
“When are you leaving?” she asked.
“In two days.”
“In that case I’d better start preparing to transition the projects. Who do you want me to give them to?” she asked.
“I will leave that up to you. I trust your judgment,” he smiled.
“Very well. Thank you, Mister Larson for your confidence in me,” she smiled.
“You’ve earned my trust and respect, Lacy. I couldn’t ask for a better assistant,” he said. “And I think it’s about time that you call me Allen. You’ve been with me for four years. I think more than enough time has passed for us to be on a first name basis.”
“Oh! I….um…I wouldn’t presume—
“It’s settled. I have a meeting to get to. I’ll see you later after lunch,” he said.
He picked up his briefcase then his phone and slipped it into the inside breast pocket of his suit jacket. He then left the office.
He’s the second person who’s told me to use his first name. It didn’t matter. She knew she would continue using their last name. Lacy stood and moved to the window that was the wall of his office. Allen had a corner office in which the two connecting walls were floor to ceiling glass. The office was on the twenty-third floor and afforded a spectacular view of the Hudson River and the Brooklyn skyline. She wondered what it would be like to work for Tyler Sinclair. She recalled assisting him briefly two years ago when he had first joined Larson Corporation. He’d asked her to type a few letters for him because he hadn’t hired an assistant yet. But that had been her only real contact with him since he’d come to Larson. Oh she’d seen him often enough in the office but there had never been any communication between them until last night. That was about to change and she would be the envy of almost every woman in the office. She smiled faintly as she thought that “Little Miss Baggie” would have Tyler’s undivided attention every day. That would cook their goose. She couldn’t help but to giggle aloud.
“What’s so funny?”

*****

Lacy gasp as she spun around. She knew who was there even before seeing him. His voice was a low, melodious timber that could make the toughest of females tingle with desire. She was no exception, however she knew that there was no chance that he would have interest in her. So she always maintained a professional demeanor when around him.
“I hope I didn’t startle you.”
“I was just a bit surprised. I didn’t hear you enter,” Lacy forced her tone to be calm. She realized that he had a light tread for such a large man.
He moved to stand beside her at the window.
“It’s a stunning view, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I never tire of looking at it,” Lacy murmured. “You can realize your dreams while staring at such an empowering view. Anything would be possible.”
“Empowering. I’ve never heard it described as such,” he mused. “Why did you use that word?”
“You can lose yourself in the surging water of the river and the angles and slopes of the buildings. You can use those elements to create anything you want,” she said softly. “The creativity is limitless.”
He looked at her keenly. He realized that there was so much more to this quiet, shy girl than met the eye.
“It would be manifesting dreams. I sometimes come in here after everyone is gone and I sketch the landscape. But it never looks exactly like the real thing. I always end up making a change to a building to match the image in my head. I can—,” she stopped abruptly. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling. I’m sure you do not want to hear about my silly imagery.”
“It’s not silly and I very much want to hear about it.” He was intrigued more than he’d been for a very long time.
“I understand that I will be working with you while Mister Larson is away. Is there something I can do for you now?” she asked. Lacy was determined to put a lid on her loose tongue. She was amazed that she had spoken so freely about such a personal topic. She’d never shared her most inner thoughts with anyone save Penny. Why she had opened up to him was puzzling. She had no answer for it.
“When you have a moment I would like to discuss my current projects with you,” he said. He was regretful that she would not elaborate. Her lips were tighter than a clam but he noticed that they were very nice lips; full and he suspected very succulent. He was surprised that he would have such an erotic thought about her. But he could not deny what he saw. Her mouth was made for kissing.
“Of course. We can begin right now if you like,” she interrupted his thoughts.
He nodded.
“We can go into my office,” he gestured for her to precede him out of the office.