Mr. Malone wanted her to find a replica of a document written fifty years ago. She looked it up on the Internet and found information on different places it was located. Even when she was able to go and look at the document, it didn’t help. All copies she found seemed to be completely unreadable and illegible. This meant they could be forgeries of the letter and not the real thing.

  Nor did she seem to be having any luck finding a place that would send her a copy. After all her research, she couldn’t confirm the papers she saw on the Internet were even the document she was looking for.

  For all intents and purposes, the paper Mr. Malone sought was considered a historical document. It was archived under lock and key at a museum, and it was currently on loan. Availability was only given to a few select people. If Mr. Malone intended to use this in a court of law, he was going need something more legitimate to back it up.

  Then Elizabeth had an idea. eBay. Sure enough, someone claimed to have a better copy. As far as Elizabeth could tell, it appeared to be the document in a legible hand. Elizabeth ordered the item sent to the office and then turned off her computer. Just as she leaned back in her chair, Mr. Malone walked out. He was putting on a long jacket and buttoning it up when he spotted her sitting there.

  “Are you still here?”

  With her hands folded in her lap, she said, “Well, yes. You didn’t tell me to leave.”

  “Oh, sorry. Nancy left when she felt it was time to go. I guess I assumed you would do the same thing.”

  “I could have asked you, I guess. By the way, Mr. Malone. I finished your list.”

  “You finished the list? Even the last item?”

  “Well, I will admit that was the biggest challenge of the day. Yet I might have made it work. I found a copy on eBay, and I ordered it. I’m not sure you’ll be able to use it in court unless you have an original copy it can be compared to. I believe after all my searching, it’s the best you’re probably going to get.”

  Bruce’s face morphed into a smile which spread the width of his face. He walked over to her, placed his hands on her waist and lifted her off the ground. Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she went flying through the air. When he placed her down, she was standing within a few inches of him. His hands fell to his sides, and his eyes bore into hers as he spoke. “That is excellent! You have no idea how important that is to my case. Thank you.” He stopped talking, seemingly unsure of what to say next.

  Staring down at her, his blue eyes sparkled. All her concentration was focused on standing upright when he asked, “Can I walk you to your car? It’s pretty dark out there, and a young lady shouldn’t walk alone at night.”

  “I don’t have a car. But thank you for the offer.”

  “You don’t have a car? Then how did you get here? Surely you aren’t going to walk in the dark in New York?”

  “No, I’m not going to walk. I’m going to take the bus.”

  He stared at her, horrified. “I tell you what. I’m hungry. Are you hungry?”

  Elizabeth started to lie and say no, except her body betrayed her, choosing that time to let out a low growl. “I guess I am.”

  He smiled. “Okay then. We’ll go down to my car. Maybe run and get a bite to eat. And then I’ll take you home. What do you say?”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “I would be honored if you would allow me to do so. It is the least I can do, especially after your find today. It would also give us time to get some things straight. Like what hours you wish to work. How you take lunch breaks. What I expect of you, et cetera.”

  Elizabeth thought it would be best to say no. On the other hand, she knew the wisest thing to do would be to say yes. He was right that it was dangerous for a woman to travel alone on the streets in New York. No matter where you were going. And he was offering dinner. If she thought about how long it would take her to get home, cook dinner, clean everything up, and then get in bed to start this process all over again the next day, it was overwhelming.

  Elizabeth found herself giving in. “Okay. I’ll go. And thank you for inviting me.”

  They walked to the elevator and rode down to the parking garage. Bruce went straight to a silver luxury car and opened the door, indicating for her to get in. He came around to the other side and slid behind the wheel. His chair was scooted back to accommodate his long frame. He started the motor and Elizabeth listened to it purr like a well loved kitten.

  “Where to?” he asked.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Where would you like to eat, Ms. Smith?”

  “Why don’t you choose? I can find something I like to eat just about anywhere. Oh, except I am not big on caviar, snails, or oysters.”

  He laughed. The deep, rich sound filed the small space, and Elizabeth felt a tingle course through her body.

  “Do you like pasta? Maybe some Italian?” Bruce asked.

  Her body finally relaxing, she answered, “Italian is good. I like Italian.”

  Chapter Seven

  Bruce buckled himself in and drove out of the parking garage. He couldn’t help but look at her. All comfortable and homey in his car. Elizabeth wasn’t like the other women he ran across. There was something else about her he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Humility, maybe?

  No way could he have allowed her to ride the bus at this late hour. Admittedly, he didn’t know what part of town she lived in. Still, it was his fault she was at work after dark. He didn’t want to think of something happening to her because he’d been negligent.

  Using this time alone to his full advantage, Bruce studied her out of the corner of his eye. Her beige skirt, which was barely above her knees when she stood, had now inched up to her mid-thigh. He gulped and moved his gaze, noticing how her hands demurely rested on her legs. Long, gentle fingers splayed across the cotton fabric. Her hair was shorter than before, now mid-way down her back. It was mostly straight with only a hint of wave. The sides had been cut shorter to accentuate her heart-shaped face. Elizabeth looked at him and smiled, causing his heart to leap into his chest.

  With his gaze back to the road, he couldn’t stop thinking about Elizabeth. He wasn’t used to women affecting him this way. He’d been in the presence of many beautiful women, but none that could send his heart fluttering like a schoolboy. Until now.

  Okay, he needed to concentrate on where he was going. Bruce knew of the perfect little out-of-the-way place for great Italian food. There was only one problem. If he went there, it would be more like a date. There was another joint uptown with an atmosphere of the wealthy, and then one downtown that was very simple and more family-oriented. All offered great Italian food. He didn’t want her to think he was that type of boss. On the other hand, he did already like her, and he could sense a mutual attraction. Perhaps spending some time getting to know her in a private place wasn’t such a horrible idea.

  Bruce would take her to his favorite place and worry about the ramifications later. Besides, he had a feeling she wouldn’t be happy if they went to a ritzy place and spent over a hundred dollars a plate to eat. She seemed like the type that would send the extra money to some foreign country or to help an orphanage.

  When they pulled up in front of the little bistro, Bruce thought he heard her let out a little snore. Surely, she wasn’t falling asleep on him? Bruce started to shake her, but when the vehicle stopped, she sat up.

  “Are we here?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” was his less than elegant reply.

  Bruce walked around to her door, but she had already extricated herself and stood beside the vehicle, waiting for him. “Shall we go in?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said. He held his hand out indicating she should go first. Was he doing the right thing? Maybe he should have just taken her home. Once they crossed the threshold, the smells coming from the kitchen made all thoughts of leaving vanish.

  The place was graced with checkered tableclothes and little lanterns hung low over each table for light. Each sitting area was a booth to afford the semblance of privacy. Elizabeth removed her coat and placed it on her arm as a hostess directed them to their seat. Once seated, they were handed menus. As she stared at the food list in front of her, Bruce hoped she noticed the place was moderately priced and found it as a pleasant surprise.

  “Have you been here before, Mr. Malone?”

  “A couple of times, yes. They have the best lasagna in town.”

  “That’s good to know. That was going to be my next question. What’s good to eat.” She said with a smile.

  They sat in silence and sipped water until the waiter came and took their order. They each ordered lasagna. Elizabeth asked for sweet tea, and the waiter rolled his eyes before asking for Bruce’s drink order. He was about to make a comment to the waiter about his rude behavior, when he saw Elizabeth shake her head.

  When the waiter left, however, he couldn’t hold his tongue. “What was that all about?”

  “I think he caught my southern accent.”

  “Still that was rude. I think I should tell Antonio about him.”

  Elizabeth covered his hand with her own. “No, please don’t. It doesn’t matter to me. A little eye rolling is the least of the persecution I expect to face. I can handle that and more. Trust me.”

  When Elizabeth noticed she was still touching him, she jerked her hand back and laid it into her lap. Bruce felt a sense of loss. Her hand had held a warm and inviting feeling he’d never remembered experiencing with just the holding of a hand. He put his finger under his collar and loosened it a little. Was it getting hot in here?

  They went back to the silence. When the drinks finally arrived, the waiter was all smiles. Obviously, he let his earlier attitude of disdain change to one that might reward him with a larger tip.

  The waiter placed their drinks down on the table with a small basket of garlic bread. Elizabeth and Bruce both went to grab a stick of bread at the same time and both came out with the same one. Bruce mumbled under his breath, “Like Lady and the Tramp,” then removed his hand and held it palm up in an open invitation for her to choose first.

  “Thank you.” Elizabeth took the bread stick and began to munch on it. Bruce watched as the emotions flitted across her face. She appeared to be enjoying the piece of bread as she rolled it around in her mouth, savoring the flavor. He mustn’t make her wait so long to eat next time.

  “This is really good,” she said, between bites.

  “Told you it was,” he took his own big bite of the bread, chewed, and swallowed. Bruce was going to have to talk to keep his mind off of how the light reflected off her brown hair. How her eyes twinkled like a thousand emeralds when she smiled. How a cute little dimple appeared in her cheeks when her lips twitched in laughter.

  Clearing his throat and mind, Bruce decided it was time to talk business. Maybe that would help to distract him. “We need to discuss the hours you wish to work. Could you tell me what you’ve been working? When you worked for Mr. Hampton, I mean.”

  Elizabeth swallowed before speaking. “Well, I’ve been working nine to five. That was just because those were the hours Mr. Hampton needed me. I can come in any time. Earlier or later doesn’t really matter. Mr. Hampton made me a salaried employee, so my income won’t change either way.”

  Bruce thought for a moment. “Since you completed my ‘to-do’ list for the whole week, I guess nine to five will be just fine for now.”

  “The list was for the whole week? That was all you needed done?”

  “Not really; the truth is I was afraid to get overly ambitious with Nancy. She is a very sweet and capable woman but she had some difficulties with electronic equipment. In fact, I’m afraid to get too used to your assistance in my office. Mr. Hampton may realize he has made a grave mistake in switching you two, and he may take you away from me.”

  A laugh escaped. “I don’t think you have to worry about that.” She looked down at the table, unable to meet his questioning gaze.

  “Well whatever the case, whether you stay or go, you’re mine for the moment. And that begs the question, how to utilize you most effectively.”

  “You make me sound like a machine or a tool.”

  Bruce couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “Well, maybe you are. You did work like a machine today. I’ve never seen so much get accomplished in one day. Surely you didn’t do that so you could slack for the rest of the week?” he asked jestingly.

  “No, of course not. Mr. Hampton gives me that much every day. Sometimes I would complete it and sometimes I wouldn’t. On the days when I didn’t, I would show up early the next day to finish the tasks. Really, though, it doesn’t matter what I’m used to doing. You need to tell me what you require of me.”

  All kinds of thoughts crossed his mind. Perhaps a late night walk along the river, holding hands, the moon glittering off her lily-white skin. She would turn to look at him and he’d lean forward and give just the briefest of kisses. One that would feel like the simple caress of butterfly wings.

  Glancing up from the table, he noted Elizabeth was staring at him expectantly. It wasn’t like him to sit around and fantasize about women and romantic interludes while in their presence. Bruce felt a red flush settle over his cheeks. What was he doing?

  Clearing his throat, Bruce said, “Let me think a moment. First of all, for tomorrow at least, nine will be a fine time to come in. That’ll give me time to create you a new list,” his grin and hers was a mile wide. “And something else, you must resist the urge to call me Mr. Malone. When it is just the two of us, Bruce will be just fine.”

  Elizabeth lifted her hand and giggled behind it. “Only if you agree not to call me Ms. Smith when we’re in private.”

  He lifted his hand over the table, and she grasped it so they could shake on their deal. “Okay, now that we have established the rules, what else shall we discuss?”

  Elizabeth didn’t have time to answer because their food arrived. Steaming hot platters of lasagna were carefully placed in front of them, and extra bread was added to the table. Bruce stared at Elizabeth awkwardly as she bowed her head and gave thanks for her food. He bowed as well, but he was unaccustomed to doing so. He really wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do next.

  When Bruce raised his eyes, he caught her staring at him. Elizabeth didn’t say anything. She picked up her fork, cut a piece of the lasagna, and stuck it in her waiting mouth. She immediately began making oohing and ahhing noises to express her satisfaction. “This is wonderful. It has such flavor.”

  Bruce agreed. It was wonderful. If only this evening could last forever. Good food and good company. As he watched his companion, he took note of the twinkling look in her eyes and a red hue settling across her cheeks. This woman intrigued him. What was it about her that was able to get under his skin? What had caused her to change her look so drastically? Had she always desired to do so? Or had a recent development precipitated the change?

  It was said that curiosity killed the cat, but if one noticed, the cat hadn’t let the thought of death get in his way. One way or another, Bruce would find out what had driven this young lady to change.

  Raising his glass in a toast, he said, “To good company.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “To good company.”

  It didn’t get much better than this.

  Chapter Eight

  Elizabeth savored every bite of her meal while enjoying Mr. Malone—no, Bruce’s—company. He seemed to know when it was a good time to be quiet and when it was a good time to talk or ask questions. They sat in silence for most of the time, simply enjoying the food. The only awkward moment occurred when the check came. Elizabeth went to grab her purse, but he stopped her. “No. This one is on me.”

  “I don’t want to, well, you know; make it seem like…” She couldn’t go on. Elizabeth couldn’t say date. Yesterday, she would have given her right arm to go out on a date with Blue Eyes. In large part, Bruce was the reason for her transformation. And the reason she’d lost her position with Mr. Hampton. The reason she was in this seat in the first place.

  Sure, maybe he should pay.

  On second thought, things had changed. She was his assistant, his secretary. Elizabeth didn’t think it was prudent to “date” or even make it look like she was dating the boss. Word around the water fountain was he agreed with that assessment. It seemed he’d been asked several times by women at the office to go out, and he turned them all down. Claiming religiously that he didn’t date women from the workplace. Now here she was on the job for one day, and he’d already taken her to dinner, and he was buying. This couldn’t be good.

  “How about I buy this time, and you buy next time?” he asked.

  “So there’s going to be a next time?” escaped from her lips before she could stop herself. Elizabeth could feel the heat rush to her cheeks as she blushed furiously. She’d never been so bold in her comments with a man. What would her mother think? Or for that matter her father. They would be shocked, that’s what.

  No doubt he’d seen the rosy circles upon her cheeks, but she was happy when he didn’t comment on her behavior, and instead said, “I was hoping there might be a next time. I’ve really enjoyed this evening. How about you?”

  “Yes, I’ve enjoyed myself. How does this work with your creed of not dating people you work with?” There it was again, that boldness. This was going to get her into trouble.

  He laughed deep and low under his breath, sending tingles down her arms and causing goose bumps to appear. Picking up the clear glass of water, she took a long, slow sip. Did it hide her odd reaction?

  Over the rim of her cup, she watched his lips quirk at the corner, as he said, “I’m not sure yet. But I am a lawyer. So I’ll think of something.”

  The smile he gave her was causing her toes to curl. Bruce hadn’t seemed the least bit offended by her statement. In fact, he’d pretty much said if he wanted to go out with her again, he would come up with a reason for doing so. He’d said no to everyone in the office, but he was already asking her out again! It was unbelievable.