Dating For Decades Read Free Page A

He turns and meets my eyes. “There isn’t any shame in asking for help.”
    “I’m not ashamed, Terrence. I just don’t need any.” I stop before he can interrupt and insult me any further. “But, if you feel I need to step back, fine.” See? I can throw buts around, too.
    “Thank you, Cassie, because you and Lucas will be co-managers.”
    Did I hear him correctly? “Wait. He’s going to be management ?” I’ve been at this company for seven years. It took me five to raise up to the management ranks. This hot shot kid is straight out of college and he’s a manager ? On my level?
    “Trust me, Cassie. He’s smart. Brilliant, actually.”  
    He grins like that of an uncle would do. I’m sure my Uncle Ray would say the same about me, if I kept in contact with any of my family other than weddings.
    It’s no use. He’s already hired Lucas, and it’s not like he’s going to fire his nephew on account of me. My eyes glaze over and I realize I’m shaking my head. If Terrence notices, he doesn’t say anything. “So, when do I meet this guy?” Can I tell my Aunt Ella I’ve met a man? Does this count?  
    Terrence presses a button on his phone. “Monica, please send Lucas in.”
    Great. He’s already here? He’s probably been here all day observing me. Why didn’t he discuss this with me right away in the morning? The day is almost over, and I’ve probably passed him in the hall a zillion times.
    Okay, Cassie, game face on for this know-it-all. Even though he technically is going to be a boss as well, I need to make my position clear, but at the same time be friendly. If he respects me straight out of the gate, we shouldn’t have a problem.
    A knock on the door redirects my focus. Confidence. I need to exude confidence. This isn’t some Joe Blow off the street. This is Terrence’s nephew. Someone who knows my boss better than I do, and if I act or say something wrong, my mistakes will most certainly make it back to him.  
    The door opens and a tall, slender, toned man waltzes in. His black hair is buzzed, leaving little knots at the top. His green eyes pop against his dark skin. This is Terrence’s nephew? I expected someone a little less slick and a lot more nerdy. Terrence doesn’t exactly resemble the classy guy he pretends to be. Sure, he’s polite and professional, but he fits the typical stereotype of an IT geek, even at his age. Lucas is in his early twenties and has pulled together a sleek look with his dress slacks and button up shirt. A tie would complete the look, but he’d come across as much too elegant and sexy for the position. Wait — sexy? No. I check my hormones and redirect my pulsating body from admiration to anger. I hate this guy.  
    “Lucas, I’d like you to meet Cassie, my secondhand person at the firm.”
    Good thing I’m a woman because if I were a man I don’t think I’d be able to stand for a few moments, or be in search of a book to put in front of my lap. “A pleasure meeting you,” I politely say as I firmly shake his hand, his soft, soft hand.
    “The pleasure is all mine.”
    I’m so taken with his eyes. They’re pulling me in, and I’m drowning. He probably sweet-talked his way into this job. Those eyes can hypnotize anyone.  
    I sit back down, and he takes the chair next to me. Now it’s time to make nice.  
    “Your uncle tells me you’re a recent college grad.”
    “Yes. I received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Networking and I graduated with top honors.”
    “That’s wonderful.” Top honors. Impressive. Almost as impressive as his beautiful face.
    “And while we’re on the subject, I would prefer not to call Terrence my uncle during working hours. I want to prove myself here without everyone thinking it had something to do with our family.”
    Do I want to commend Lucas for his professionalism, or stick my finger down my throat for his blatant attempt to suck up and look like a better person? He may be drop-dead gorgeous (there’s a