“Honest Val, I had the hottest sex in my life, and the bonus of it all, there’s no commitment. No uncomfortable silence afterward. I think you should give it a try, what’s the worst that could happen?”
  “I don’t—"
  “Sure I’d love to have a woman’s eternal love, but come on, who believes in love these days. In our fast paced world, nobody comes home with flowers and makes love for hours at a time with Kenny G playing in the background. Leave that for the movies Val, and take my word of advice, go and look Sinfabulous up. You won’t be disappointed, I can assure you.”
  “Eric, would you let me get a word in edgewise?”
  “Sorry Val- uh I need to go, client walking through the door- text me during lunch.”
  Vanessa Valery Monroe stared at the petite, slim line, cell phone and gnashed her teeth together, wishing people would stop trying to give her dating advice.
  Sighing, she blew the strands of hair out of her eyes and tapped the computer screen with her index finger. “I swear, if one more person—"
  A knock on the long expanse of glass behind her, made Val jump. Swiveling around in her white, office chair, she caught sight of a rather impressive set of flexing muscles. And when the guy caught her staring, he winked and puckered up.
  Even the window cleaner was asking for it! ARGH! She packed her brief case and stormed out of the office.
  “Jamie, cancel my appointments for the day, I’m going out.” She rubbed the side of her temples and grimaced, “got a headache.”
  “Sure Ms Monroe, but you do know that we’re expecting Mr. Jackman and his wife's second visit today for the Australian, outback, photo shoot.” Jamie stood up from her organized desk to step in line with her boss.
  “Oh shit! I forgot about that. Can you call Eric, ask him to fill in for me. I’m not up to a repeat performance of my female staff creaming their panties, and then daydreaming for the rest of the day. I’m pretty sure that’s why half of them are pregnant now. They went home to bang their husbands out of frustration. Not that I blame them—"
  “Ms Monroe, I’m pretty sure that’s not how it happened, but I really think as your assistant, I could easily fill in for you.”
  Val nearly tripped over her feet at the timid woman’s suggestion. Tapping her french manicured nails against the leather brief case, she stared down at Jamie for all of a minute. “Okay, but if I find just one pair of undies littering the floor when I get back, it’s your head on my desk.”
  “Thanks Ms—"
  “Jamie, please, its Vanessa. Stop calling me Ms Monroe.” She carried on staring in Jamie’s direction, as she walked straight through the open glass doors etched with a knight, her company’s emblem.
  And no sooner than she got to the forecourt, her phone buzzed inside her white tailored business suit pocket.
  “Hello Eric.”
  “Are you fucking nuts? No don’t answer that! I’m not, I repeat, not going to assume the role of lead photographer for this spread, Vanessa!”
  Not sure why Eric was so hot under the collar, Vanessa strolled past the doorman, gave him a friendly wave, and waited for the limo to coast to a smooth stop before she slid inside the luxury car. And all the while, Eric continued to express his opinions in a very loud voice from the phone she deliberately held at arm’s length.
  Leaning forward Vanessa spoke into the speaker. “Greg, can we take a drive around town please?”
  “Sure Ms Monroe, err, Vanessa.”
  Vanessa unbuttoned her jacket and vest and put the phone back to her ear as she leaned back in the plush comfort of the limo’s wide seat.
  “Vanessa, I know you aren’t listening.”
  “Eric, stop being a baby for five fucking minutes and listen to what I have to say. First, let me remind you that I’m the owner of this company. I make the decisions, is that clear?” When all she could hear was heavy breathing, Vanessa took that as a sign of Eric’s defeat. “Now that we’ve accomplished who’s in charge, I will let you in on a little secret. I gave Jamie this puppy to run with so you don’t need to worry one single strand of pre-graying hair on your little head.”
  “Kiss my ass, Val. Jamie all but ordered me to take lead photographer. Something about you weren’t feeling well. Since when do you give snot nosed assistants that kind of power, huh?”
  “Jamie is a hard worker and I believe in everyone getting their time to shine. She’ll do fine and besides, she’s perfect. I don’t have to hear how her heart is ready to part from her chest cavity upon seeing Hugh in all his perfection.”
  “I get that Jamie's not into men, but what’s eating at you today? You happen to love that man to pieces, along with half the rest of the women in the world.”
  “I don’t want to talk about it. Just give Jamie help if she needs it. Talk to you later.” And she hung up before the phone went sailing through the air as she threw it on the floorboard.
  “Men, what do they know?”