So the choice was a fruitless, awkward lunch with his secretary or a sweaty, frustrating morning with Ace.
Really not a choice.
"Nicole, could you call Mr. Phipps and reschedule his Saturday appointment?" He saw Nicole's hopeful expression fade from her face and felt a twinge of guilt for once again dodging her attentions.
"Is that what all the texting was about?" she asked, typing loudly on her keyboard to pull up Mr. Phipps' phone number. "Got a big date tomorrow or something?"
No. Well, yes. Well, not really.
"Family emergency. Sort of. My presence has been firmly requested."
Nicole was somewhat mollified. "Hard to say no to family."
"You have no idea." He pulled out his phone and turned to go back into his office. "Let me know when Mrs. Donaldson arrives."
He pulled out his pho
