If you need anything, let her know.”
Right on cue, a rap sounded on his door, and it opened to admit Monique, a smiling, slender African-American woman who honed in on Nicole. She and Nicole were about the same height, though Monique was a couple of years older. Her long black hair was pulled away from her smiling face.
“Hi, Nicole. I’m Monique.” She extended a hand, which Nicole shook. “Welcome to Alexander’s.”
“Thank you.” Nicole smiled at her genuine welcome. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” Monique glanced at a stoic Alexander. “I’ll show you around if the boss is done with you.”
“We’re through for now,” Alex agreed, sitting back down behind his desk. “Thanks, Monique.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Monique opened the door and waited for her to gather her belongings. “Ready, Nicole?”
“More than.” Nicole sighed and left the office. Alex watched them go, his eyes boring into her back.
* * *
She repressed the urge to stomp out of his office as she preceded Monique through the door. What an infuriating man! She sighed audibly once the door closed behind them.
Monique chuckled. “That bad, huh?”
“No, it was fine.” At Monique’s skeptical look she elaborated. “He is...” She paused, not sure if she was talking to a friend or a foe. “It was fine,” she reiterated.
Monique laughed, linked her arm through Nicole’s and pulled her away. “Oh, I’ll bet!” She smiled and whispered conspiratorially, “You can trust me. I’m a fellow New Yorker.”
“Really?” Nicole brightened at the mention of home.
“Mmm-hmm, born and raised. I transferred from Alexander’s New York office five years ago. You’re planning on transferring to that office after your six months here, right?”
“Yes,” Nicole confirmed. Right now, she couldn’t wait for that day to come. “Do you like it here?”
“I love it.” Monique beamed. “You will, too. I promise.”
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me. I plan to make the most of it.”
“I’ll help you any way I can,” Monique promised. “I predict we’re going to be good friends.”
“I think so, too,” Nicole agreed.
“Definitely,” Monique assured. “How about some coffee before I show you to your station?”
“I’d love some.” Nicole groaned gratefully, and Monique laughed.
“The break room is in here.”
Monique led her into an attractive white room with rows of laminate tables and matching padded chairs. There was a full kitchen, including several refrigerators, microwaves and conventional ovens. Her eyes widened as Monique poured two cups of coffee not into Styrofoam, but into china cups.
“Very nice.” Nicole took the offered cup from Monique.
“The boss believes in doing little things like this to keep us happy.” Monique shrugged as they sat down at one of the tables. “He’s really not bad once you get to know him.”
“Time will tell.” After adding cream and sugar, Nicole sipped her coffee and felt some of the tension leaving her. “He’s upset because I’m late.”
“You had a wedding to attend, right?”
“Yes.” Nicole smiled fondly. “My brother’s.”
“Well, you couldn’t miss that.”
“No, I couldn’t.” Nicole sighed. “I wish Mr. James understood that.”
“He’ll get over it,” Monique predicted. “Just wow him with your fabulous work ethic and tremendous talent.”
“I’ll try.”
“You’ll be fine, and like I said, I’ll help you in any way I can.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Monique squeezed her hand and winked. “We New Yorkers have to stick together.”
“Definitely.” Nicole returned her smile, feeling at ease for the first time that morning.
* * *
Victor James entered his older brother’s office without knocking. He chuckled at Alex’s raised eyebrow as he plopped down on the edge of his desk.
“Hey bro, what’s up?”
Alex frowned. “I’m trying to get some work done.”
“Well, that’s why I’m here.” At his brother’s confused stare, Victor reminded him, “You said your computer was, in your words, acting squirrely.”
“Oh, yeah.” Alex sighed, pushing away from his desk and motioning for Victor to come over. “I don’t know what’s wrong with this thing.”
“Let me see what you’ve done to her.” Victor’s sigh elicited a chuckle from his brother.
“She is right,” Alex disgustedly agreed. “This thing is as temperamental as any woman I’ve ever known.”
“You just don’t know how to handle her,” Victor chided as he continued typing on the keyboard, turning the screen completely black.
“I guess I don’t,” Alex agreed as he watched his brother work his magic. The man was a genius with computers.
Victor owned Delphine Computers and handled all the software needs for Alexander’s. At twenty-nine, he was three years younger than Alex, and the two had always been close, especially since their parents died five years ago in a plane crash.
“There you go.” Victor smiled with satisfaction a few minutes later. “She’s as good as new.”
Alex returned to his seat and tested out the computer. He heaved a sigh of relief when the blasted machine did what he wanted it to without fighting him.
“Thanks, man. You’re a lifesaver.”
“De nada.” Victor bowed before resuming his perch on the edge of Alex’s desk. “By the way, who was the honey I saw leaving your office with Monique a few minutes ago?”
“That was our new junior associate, which means she’s off-limits to you,” Alex warned.
“She looked mad. What did you do to her?”
“I didn’t do anything to her,” Alex denied with a frown. “She took her sweet time about getting here, and I let her know I didn’t appreciate it.”
Victor’s
