Rush (Breathless #1)(34)

“I’ll leave you to your reading,” he said. “I need to catch up on e-mails and messages before my meeting. When I’m done, we’ll go over some of your other job duties.”

Nodding, she turned away and headed for the desk assigned to her. She settled into the sumptuous leather executive chair and pulled herself forward to begin memorizing the huge amount of data before her.

Chapter twelve

“Mia?”

Mia looked up from the pile of papers she was reading over to see Eleanor standing in the doorway of Gabe’s office.

“If you’re ready, I’ll take you around and introduce you to the staff.”

Mia pushed back and rotated her stiff neck, all the information swirling around, jumbled in her brain. She smiled in Eleanor’s direction.

Eleanor was nice and she’d been HCM’s receptionist forever. Though Mia had only been into the offices a few times before, she’d spoken frequently on the phone with Eleanor. Usually when Mia was calling for Jace or when Jace had Eleanor phone her with a message. Usually that he was running late for one of his dates with Mia.

Mia had watched closely for speculation in Eleanor’s eyes. Or even surprise that it was Gabe and not Jace Mia had come to work for. But either Eleanor wasn’t surprised or she was very good at hiding her emotions. That wouldn’t likely be the case with the rest of the office staff.

Even if she didn’t know them, they’d know who she was as soon as she was introduced. The next while wasn’t going to be the most comfortable of moments.

Mia stood and straightened the documents before stuffing them back into the folder. Then she self-consciously slid her hand down the back of her skirt, praying that no one would be able to tell she had no panties on. She walked around the desk and met Eleanor in the hallway.

“I’ll take you down the other corridor where the offices are located and then we’ll hit the wing on the opposite side of the floor where all the cubicles are.”

Mia nodded and fell in behind Eleanor as she walked briskly through the reception area and to the opposite hallway. At the first door, she paused and stuck her head in.

“John? There’s someone I want you to meet.”

John lifted his head as Eleanor and Mia entered. He was a younger man—older than her, but younger than Gabe—with glasses and dressed in a polo shirt. When he stood, she saw the casual slacks. Gabe obviously didn’t hold the rest of his staff to his same dress code.

“This is Mia Crestwell, Mr. Hamilton’s new personal assistant,” Eleanor said.

John’s eyebrows lifted in quick surprise, but he didn’t offer a comment.

“Mia, this is John Morgan, our marketing director.”

He held out his hand to shake Mia’s. “It’s a pleasure, Mia. I think you’ll enjoy working here. Mr. Hamilton is a great boss and a super person to work for.”

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Mia said, offering a smile.

“I’m sure we’ll be working closely together since you’re Mr. Hamilton’s personal assistant.”

Mia smiled and nodded, not knowing what else to say. She was terrible with casual chitchat.

As if sensing her unease, Eleanor was quick to retreat.

“Well, we’ll leave you to your work, John. I’m sure you’re busy, and I still have to take Mia around the office.”

“I’ll see you around,” John said. “Welcome to the team.”

“Thank you,” Mia murmured.

She followed Eleanor out and then repeated the process with five other employees, all in various positions of management within the company. The CFO was an impatient, fidgety man who seemed preoccupied and irritated at the distraction. Even Eleanor was brief and hurried Mia away.

The two vice presidents Mia met next were women, one who looked to be in her thirties with a warm smile and intelligent eyes. The other was slightly older, maybe forty or so, and she was a talker. It took several attempts before Eleanor was able to pull Mia away and cross the parallel hall to the other side of the building.

There, she met a myriad of people whose names she had no hope of remembering. Several looked speculatively at her when she was introduced as Gabe’s personal assistant. She couldn’t blame them really, as Gabe hadn’t had one in years. And there was the fact that she was Jace’s sister, and as soon as her name came out of Eleanor’s mouth, there had been instant recognition. And just as instant were the wheels turning in their heads as they’d stared at Mia.

Oh yeah, she was definitely going to be the gossip du jour.

When they were finally done with the meet and greet, Eleanor took her to the lounge and showed her the refrigerator and fully stocked kitchen. There was an eating area with an array of snacks and easy-to-prepare foods, and a cabinet with a variety of drinks, as well as a water cooler.

Eleanor turned and waved with her hands. “And that’s the grand tour. Oh, and the ladies’ bathroom is between the lounge and the cubicle section.”

Mia smiled warmly. “Thank you, Eleanor. I appreciate your taking the time to show me around and for your kindness.”

“Anytime. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m going to get back to my desk and relieve Charlotte.”

Mia followed her out but went in search of the bathroom instead of returning immediately to Gabe’s office. She needed to pee and freshen up. She was still feeling the effects of the night before and she was certain she looked hungover.