Cinderella Christmas by Elda Minger Read Free Book Online Page A

moment to collect his thoughts, he kept staring at her hair. Then he said, “There’s a new resort opening in Santa Barbara, very upscale. I’d like to go check it out this weekend if that’s convenient for you.”
    “Of course.”
    He stared at her again and she had the feeling he felt like he’d been hit by a baseball bat. Stunned would be a good description of her boss at the moment. He shook his head, then said, “I’ll get you the necessary information. Can you call and set things up?”
    “Certainly.”
    #
    She came into his office with all the details of their weekend printed out and laid the sheet on his desk.
    “We’re all set.”
    “Watson, I need to have a word.”
    She was already halfway to the door but at his voice she turned and came back into his office. Eve sat down on one of the comfortable chairs by his desk.
    “Why the change?” he said, indicating her hair, her face. “If it’s not too personal a question.
    “It was time.”
    He frowned. “I still don’t understand.”
    Eve took a deep breath in, then let it out. She’d resolved, over the weekend, that she had to be more authentic in her life. She knew she could trust Nick, that he wouldn’t fire her over what she was about to reveal.
    She had to start somewhere.
    “If I tell you something, Nick, can I trust that it doesn’t leave this office?”
    “Yes.”
    She leaned forward. “Remember those gaps in my resume? When you asked me about them I told you I was taking care of elderly relatives?”
    He nodded.
    “I wasn’t. I was fired from the two jobs I held previous to this one, and I didn’t want you to call and find out why.”
    He leaned forward now, intent. “Why were you fired?”
    She swallowed against the sudden tightness in her throat. As much as she trusted Nick, she was still afraid.
    “I was fired for sexual harassment.”
    “That’s crazy! You would never – “
    “I didn’t,” she said quickly, a warm little glow suffusing her at how quickly Nick had come to her defense.
    “In each situation, one of the men in the company came on to me. I told each of them I wasn’t interested. It must have hurt their pride, because both men, at both jobs, told their bosses that I had come on to them, I wasn’t leaving them alone, I was the obsessive one, they couldn’t do their work – “
    “My God,” Nick said quietly.
    “They believed them and I was let go. End of story.” She looked up at him. “When I came here to apply for a job – “
    “ – you dressed in a way that would ensure no one would notice you that way.”
    “Yes.” She took a deep breath, feeling totally spent. “So I lied to you to cover my tracks and if you want to fire me – “
    “ – nonsense, Watson. You did what you had to do. I admire you for it. And I want you to know, it’s one of my cardinal rules never to get involved with anyone I work with.”
    “I know that, Nick. I’ve always felt safe with you.”
    “Thank you. That means a lot to me. And this conversation will never leave this office.”
    “I appreciate that.”
    She got up and walked out of his office, but not before Nick took a closer look at her body in those shapeless clothes.
    Would wonders never cease? His PA, Watson, was a stunning woman who had to disguise herself in order to work in peace. Her story explained so much. Her reserved demeanor. The way she often hesitated before taking action. How she’d kept her gaze down for the first few months on the job.
    What had happened to her, besides those two men, to have made her this way?
    Nick found himself intrigued.
    #
    She felt completely different after telling Nick a small part of the truth. Better. More centered, more sure of herself. This was what true intimacy was, whether with a friend or a lover. Trusting that person to know the truth about you and not turn away.
    It felt wonderful.
    Eve had decided that she wanted to go slowly, not push things. Getting rid of the glasses and unflattering hairstyle had