Babysitting The Boss

2. Dinner Invitation

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June arrived at the office bright and early, eager to get a head start on the new marketing strategy. She had a list of calls to make and emails to send to lock down Alex Romano's attendance at the conference.

As the clock ticked closer to 9 AM, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. Heath's reputation for being unpunctual was well-known.

Promptly at 9, Heath strolled into the office, looking as if he hadn't slept a wink. His tie was askew, and his hair had the distinct look of having been run through with his fingers. June's heart skipped a beat as she saw the exhaustion etched on his face. He dropped into the chair behind George's desk with a sigh.

"Alright, June," he said, rubbing his eyes. "What's the plan?"

June launched into the strategy she'd developed overnight, detailing the potential announcement and the outreach to Alex Romano. Heath listened intently, his expression shifting from skepticism to intrigue.

"You think we can get him?" he asked, leaning forward with a spark of excitement in his eyes.

June nodded, her confidence growing. "I've got a good relationship with his manager. If we play our cards right, we might just pull it off."

Heath steepled his fingers, his eyes narrowing as he considered her proposal. "Okay, but we need a backup plan. If Alex doesn't come through, we can't be left with our pants down at the conference."

June nodded, already thinking of alternative strategies. "I've started drafting a few other surprises, just in case."

Heath leaned back in his chair, his gaze still sharp. "Good. I want this to be the biggest tech event of the year. The kind of buzz that makes stocks soar."

The flirty smile on his face was impossible to miss. "And I'm sure you'll look stunning on stage with Alex," he added, his eyes lingering on June's figure.

Her cheeks flushed, and she cleared her throat. "Thank you, Mr. Robbins, but my job is to ensure the event runs smoothly, not to be the center of attention."

Heath's smile grew, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Ah, but you'd be a natural," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "You've got the brains and the beauty."

June felt her cheeks burn even hotter. She was used to professional compliments, but this was something else entirely. She cleared her throat and tried to steer the conversation back to business. "I'll get on those calls right away," she said, hoping to put an end to the awkward moment.

Later that day, she found herself in the rec room, pouring a much-needed cup of tea. Polly was there, looking at her with a knowing smile. "How's it going with the new boss?" she asked, her voice teasing.

June took a deep breath. "Interesting," she said carefully, trying not to let her emotions show. "He's... different."

Polly raised an eyebrow. "Different good or different bad?"

June sighed, stirring her tea. "I'm not sure yet. He's definitely... unconventional. But he seems to have a vision, and he's not afraid to take risks."

Polly leaned against the counter. "Well, if anyone can handle it, it's you," she said, patting June's shoulder. "You're the best PA this company has ever had."

June managed a smile, appreciating the support. She took a sip of her tea and headed back to her desk, ready to dive into the day's tasks. Over the next few days, she worked tirelessly to coordinate with Alex Romano's team, juggling emails and calls while keeping Heath informed of every development.

That evening, as she was about to leave the office, Heath called out to her. "June, a moment?" He was standing by the elevator, his tie loose around his neck and his jacket slung over one shoulder.

June turned, her hand hovering over the elevator button. "Yes, Mr. Robbins?"

Heath sauntered over, his shoes echoing in the deserted hallway. "How's the Alex Romano situation looking?"

June's eyes lit up. "We've secured a meeting with his manager tomorrow. It's looking promising."

Heath nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good," he said, his voice low. "Very good."

June felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. It was the first time he'd shown genuine interest in her work, and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride. "Thank you, Mr. Robbins. I'll make sure to update you as soon as I have more information."

Heath's smile was brief, but it was enough to make her heart flutter. "Please do," he said, stepping into the elevator. "Oh, and June?"

Her hand hovered over the call button. "Yes?"

Heath leaned against the elevator door. "I know we're starting fresh here, but I can't help but feel like you're still holding onto George's shadow." His tone was casual, but his gaze was intense. "You need to trust me, June. We're going to do great things together."

June's hand hovered over the call button, unsure of how to respond. She'd always been a professional, but there was something about Heath that made her feel unsteady. "I do trust you, Mr. Robbins," she said, her voice steady. "But I'm just focused on the job at hand."

Heath's smile didn't waver. "I know you are, June," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But sometimes, you need to step out of the office to see the bigger picture." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "How about dinner tonight? We can discuss the conference, and maybe get to know each other better."

June felt the color drain from her face. Dinner with Heath? She wasn't sure if it was a good idea, but she knew she couldn't refuse. "Okay," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Where and when?"

"Eight o'clock at Le Château," Heath said, the elevator doors sliding shut with a ding. "I'll send a car for you."

She was skeptical about going on a casual dinner with her boss. Would people talk? The man did have a reputation.

Was he expecting something from her?

But she had already accepted his invitation, hadn't she? How could she decline now?

She didn't want to get on his bad side.

So now she had only one thing to worry about.

What on earth was she going to wear out to dinner?

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