Newest Hire

By J. P. Comeau

Nicholas Hunter is the Warlord of the publishing world,
A conqueror of companies
Everything he sets his sights on is destroyed.

He took my job and threw it out the window, just like many others,
And he's hotter than any man I've ever met, despite his cocky attitude…
But I have a responsibility - a son.
I need to find a new job fast…

My former boss' friend did me a favor and recommended me…
The problem is I'm unqualified…

My new hire's name: Angela Faye
I hired her for only one reason…
My Executive Assistant vouched for her.

Smart, snarky, beautiful, hardworking, funny…
She's everything I used to lust after and more.
Dad always told me to persevere to find true love.
I've persevered more fake relationships than I'll admit.

Now, could she break that cycle?
Is Angela what I've been waiting for?

Or is she just another beautiful woman vying for my attention?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweetwater Creek Publishing
• Release date: Sep 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781393996750

Book preview

Chapter 1

When was the last time I slept like a baby?

A rare moment to think finally creeps into my day, and suddenly it's like I'm in a whole new world. The odd sensation of thinking about something other than work and Noah makes me look up and around at the dozens of empty cubicles littering Sir Erik’s Publishings, all like modern gravestones memorializing my co-workers who fought the good fight. Some are sparkly clean - so clean I might go blind staring at them; others are still overflowing with office notes, work phones from another era, and those cute, nerdy figurines that some of my long-gone friends played with during work. Those unfortunate souls must have lost their jobs over the phone and just haven't come in to pick up their stuff.

I sigh as I realize I'm the only one left on this floor. Never again would I greet shy-guy Manny from HR in the elevator, who flinched and blushed every time I spoke to him; never again would I be able to sink my teeth into one of Big Jim's double-dozen, lemon donuts he brought in from his mama's bakery; never again would I play secret card games with Valeria across the aisle; never again would I be able to pretend I wanted a drink of water at the same time as Timmy Lancaster simply so I could flirt with him!

I should have gone for Manny instead of Timmy; at least Manny had actually complimented me. Too bad I'm not in high school anymore.

Trying not to pout, I force myself to look back down at my computer screen. Either way, none of them are here anymore. It's not like I have time for love anyway.

I glance over at the framed picture of Noah and me that's resting between my leaning tower of notepads and jar of year old mints. Three years old at the time, I remember his little blonde head giggling like he had no care in the world, and the smile he gave the cameraman was just so handsome it melts my heart every time I see it. I'm still smiling now.

I slap my cheeks and shake my head, focusing back on the screen. Come on, Angela, don't stop just yet. You still have a job to do.

Seriously, though, when did I last fall asleep?

That thought keeps pinging around in my head as I enter various numbers into a spreadsheet. Ages must have passed since I last felt the comfort of the stone-like bed that awaited me every night in my humble bedroom.

I never thought I'd long for that shitty rectangle…

Overhead, the loudspeaker squeals on, and a gruff voice pierces the steady silence of my work area. Clearing his throat, he speaks, Angela Faye, please report to my office, pronto.

Gazing up with wide eyes, I'm startled that the overhead speaker is even working. It hasn't been used since the day Pete the Leech flooded the restrooms as a prank, and my boss went over the intercom to chew out the guy.

God...is that you? I say to myself whimsically. If Valeria were here, I'm sure I'd have gotten a laugh out of her.

Wincing as the overhead speakers are switched off, I stand on wobbly legs and push myself away from my desk. I try to focus on my breathing as I walk towards my boss' office down the hall. Despite my joking from before, I'm nervous as hell. For the last few months, pretty much everyone that’s been called in by my boss was laid off. I only stayed on because of my skills and experience.

I hope and pray to the God I forsook as a teen as I walk; I can't lose this job yet. Noah needs me to support him, and the stress of finding a new job might finally do me in.

As I close in on my boss' door, I force my smile and straighten my posture, knocking on the door and walking in. Mr. Downer, you wanted to see me?

A portly, older man with graying short hair and a beard swivels in his chair to greet me. Angela, come sit down. He motions to a chair across from his desk, and I oblige, watching the blank expression he always wears, for a facial clue as to why he called me in. I swear he could be mistaken for a life-sized Russian nesting doll if he sat still long enough.

Mr. Downer…

Will. I ask you every time to just call me Will like everyone else did. You know I've never required you to be so formal, right?

Oh, I know. I just wanted to give you the respect you deserve...Will.

Will Downer glances up at and gives the faintest little grin. You're not serious, are you? After all this time, you actually say my first name?

Sorry, sir, but I think you're mistaking me with one of Harry Potter's uncles...considering I'm not even a man, that distinction should have been very obvious.

We both chuckle at my joke and Will goes to pour a cup of coffee from a pot. After filling his, he grabs another cup and raises an eyebrow at me. I nod eagerly, and he pours me the remaining coffee. I sip gingerly on my brew. Sorry, Will. I just wanted to leave a good impression with you. I used to be kind of a delinquent when I was younger. I didn't want any of that to creep into my work.

You mean like playing cards with Valeria outside on breaks and leaving your station to constantly flirt with Timmy Lancaster?

I whistle and pretend like he didn’t say that, taking another sip of my coffee. Damn, this is great coffee, where did you get this?

Will chuckles again, waving my misdirection off. "As if I would have fired you because of things like that. Your work ethic spoke for itself. You could have worn a dog suit to work every day, walked around on all fours and