He looked a bit chagrined at having toexplain it. “Because it makes me look overqualified for what I want to do. Myparents are both authors. My mother focuses on science fiction and my fatherwrites romance.”
Ah, that explained a lot.
I’d have been disappointed if he was aserial killer.
He chuckled at my expression. “I grew uparound writers and have been managing a lot of their stuff since I was ateenager. I worked part time for them in high school and college, and latelyeven a few hours here and there as I’ve been doing other things. The stuff yousaw on my resume. But they’re going to be traveling for the next year andwriting minimally and I was ready for a change.”
He shrugged. “So it works out well for allof us.”
It made sense. “Were you planning ontelling me this?”
Tristan snorted. “I asked for aface-to-face meeting in our last email. You know, the one you forgot to replyto.”
Oh, that was right.
“I’ve been busy.”
It wasn’t a lie, but he rolled his eyes.“Have you even been remembering to pay your bills?”
He really had grown up with writers.“Bradley’s assistant manages all that for me.”
He didn’t even trust me to pay the newspapersubscription Jonah had wanted for the coupons.
“Good.” He nodded like that was one morething off his plate. “At least I won’t have to worry about the bank calling.”
“I haven’t even agreed to hire you yet.” Iwas going to pretend his confidence wasn’t sexy, but I refused to adjust myerection and make it that obvious.
He grinned. “You will.”
“This is a very bad idea.” I shook my head,but I must not have looked very stern because he let out a dirty chuckle.
“It’s going to be a great idea.” Then he winkedat me. “And I’ll even sign a waiver not to sue for sexual harassment as long aswe have a thorough discussion about your fascination with being spanked overyour desk.”
Shit.
“That is not appropriate.” I was attemptingto find another response when Austin’s head popped in the door.
“Why are you in here?” He looked aroundlike it was the first time he was seeing the room.
I said the first thing that came to mind.“Work.”
Tristan replied just as earnestly.“Flirting.”
We spoke at the same time, but we clearlyhad different ideas about what was going on. I cleared my throat. “Did you needme?”
Austin’s gaze danced between us. “I’m notsure anymore.”
Rolling my eyes, I looked at Tristan andstraightened. “I’ll see you later.”
He snorted. “I know where you live, Dakota.Email me back.”
Austin’s head cocked as I walked out of thekitchen. “Good stalker or bad? I’m not sure if I’m congratulating you orcalling some friends who owe me a favor.”
For the love of… “Who would you call?”
He snorted then batted his eyelashes,giving me a sweet wide-eyed expression. “I love good home-cooked Italian food,don’t you?”
Had he just threatened to call the mob tokill my new assistant?
