I was, as usual, sitting at my desk and wishing I had something else to do besides look through all these damned emails, when I heard Tangi answer her phone with her customary smooth husky voice.
"Jack O'Neil's office, Tangi speaking. Yes he is, may I ask who's calling? Oh, hi, Amy. How are you? I'm fine, thank you for asking. Please hold."
Seconds later the phone on my desk rang. "Yes, Tangi?"
"Jack, Amy Edwards from HR is calling for you. Are you able to take it?"
"Yes, Tangi. Go ahead and put her through, please."
"Sure, Jack." There was a click. "Amy?"
"Yes, Tangi, I'm here."
"Jack is on the line. Go ahead."
"Thank you, Tangi." There was another click and Amy said, "Hi, Jack."
"Hi, Amy. What can I do for you?"
"Well, I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but I need you to fill out the questionnaire I just sent you for Tangi's three month evaluation."
"Wow, is it time for that already?"
"Yes, it is time for that already."
"Doesn't seem like it's time for that yet."
"I know. Time is going by so fast. Seems like I hired her just yesterday."
"I'll fill it out and get it back to you ASAP. Which reminds me, are we giving out any raises this year?"
"Why yes, now that you mention it, we are giving raises to deserving employees. Is Tangi proving to be a good secretary?"
"Yes, she is a very capable secretary. She deserves a raise."
"Well, please note that in the comments and I will see what I can do, okay?"
"Okay, Amy. Thanks."
"In the meantime, please schedule some free time next week so I can come up there and be with you when you go over her evaluation with her."
"Oh yes, that's right."
"So anyway, just get that questionnaire back to me as quickly as possible, would you?"
"Hopefully by the end of the day today, Amy. If not then first thing tomorrow morning."
"Okay, Jack. Thanks."
* * * * * * * * * *
The next week, the day before Amy was supposed to come up for Tangi's three-month evaluation, I looked at the clock on my computer screen and was a little shocked to see it was nearly five!
It had been a long day with a lot to do. The day went by fast.
I jumped a little when Tangi knocked on my office door.
"Jack?"
"Hey, Tangi. What's up?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"No worries."
"Was there anything you needed before I started to shut down my system for the day?"
"No, thanks, Tangi, it's been a long day and I've had you do a lot today. Trust me, it can wait until tomorrow."
Tangi laughed. "Okay. Thanks."
"But there was one thing I wanted to let you know about. Amy Edwards from HR is coming up tomorrow to do your three month evaluation."
Tangi's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my God."
I smiled. Tangi was quick on the uptake, one of the many qualities which made her a great secretary.
"Yes. Technically speaking I wasn't supposed to tell you, but I'm telling you anyway, to remind you to wear something more, ah, conservative than what you usually do. No plunging necklines. At least not tomorrow, anyway."
Tangi giggled. "Yes, sir. I have to say, I can't believe it's time for that already."
"Yes, and neither can I. But it's been a good three months, I think."
Tangi smiled warmly. "Yes. I think so, too. Good night, Jack. See you tomorrow."
"Good night, Tangi."
* * * * * * * * *
A smile was on my face as I drove home.
Yes, it has been a very good three months, indeed. Tangi has been an excellent secretary. Quick on the uptake and equally quick to take the initiative, to do things for me that normally I had to ask my last secretary to do.
Certainly the money I've given her has been put to good use - she's been wearing genuine leather lately, not that wet-look spandex she first favored when she started. Now she wore lambskin leather skirts and jackets. Patent leather and leather pumps and boots.
She's been turning me on to no end.
Now you might think that I'm giving Tangi a good eval to get her back into my apartment. Back into my bed.
I have to admit, I would like her to be there. But after that night when I took her to dinner, I've gotten to know her better, and I actually like her for herself now, instead of just lusting after her. Getting my secretary in bed was the ultimate ice breaker. Sexual tension can only go so far.
That said, I can't wait to see what she is going to wear tomorrow.
* * * * * * * * * *
I came in the next morning and thought I had died and gone to heaven.
As I stepped off the elevator and walked down the hall to my office, she sat at her desk, doing her customary ritual, putting her hair up in a bun and putting her headset on while she waited for her computer to finish booting up.
Tangi had, for once, ditched the sleek pencil skirts and satin blouses she favored, for a tight fuzzy white long-sleeved turtleneck sweater, past the knee black a-line skirt and a pair of tight-fitting knee high black leather stiletto boots, with no pooching or scrunching at the ankles. To complete the look she got her nails done French style, and kept the same length.
I struggled to keep my mind on work-related topics.
Tangi must have seen my face, because she grinned up at me and said, "Good morning, Jack."
Hearing her voice never got old. "Good morning, Tangi."
She stood up and did a little twirl, then put her hands on her waist. "So what do you think?"
"I think I like it. At least Amy won't send you home to change."
Tangi giggled naughtily. "This is the first time I've worn these boots. Do you like them?"
"Yes, I do. Very much."
"Thank you. Christian Loboutins."
"Putting that money I gave you to good use?"
Tangi blushed. "Yes. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. Just save some for your rent."
She giggled. "Angela got promoted to full time. Didn't I tell you?"
"No, you haven't mentioned that."
"Well, she has. I hope you've liked the new skirts I've bought."
"Yes, I have."
"Is there anything I wear that you don't like?"
"Uh, nope, don't think so. Not since I gave you that money, anyway. You actually have good taste in clothes."
Tangi laughed and squezed my arm. "You are too much!"
"I'll just be in my office if anyone calls. And try to act surprised when Amy shows up."
"Yes, sir."
It seemed like I'd hardly sat down at my desk when my phone buzzed. "Yes, Tangi?"
"Jack, Amy Edwards from HR is here to see you."
"Ah, yes, send her in. And leave your headset on your desk."
"Excuse me, Jack?"
"Leave your headset on your desk. Amy is here to do your three month evaluation. So please come in here and join us. We'll let the voice mail earn its keep for a little while."
"Yes, sir." From out in the hallway, I heard Tangi say, "Jack will see you now. And he says he wants me in there with you two."
"Yes, Tangi, come on in."
I stood up from my desk, stretched, and then gratefully moved to the far corner of my office and sat down on the black leather couch against the floor to ceiling smoked glass window.
Amy came in wearing a beige sweater with a modest v-neck, yellow and brown plaid skirt and brown leather boots, her light brown hair in a tight bun. She looked a little bit like a bumblee. But I didn't say that out loud. She was dressing to impress me. She knows I like boots.
I sat at one end, and Amy sat at the other end, while Tangi sat in between us.
I started things off. "Well, Tangi, I don't know if you've been keeping track, but it's time for your three month evaluation."
Tangi was a good actress. "No, actually, I haven't. Is it time for that already?"
Amy smiled and said, "Why yes, it is, Tangi. And Jack here has given you a very good evaluation."
Tangi threw me a subtle wink, then turned back to Amy. "He has?"
"Yes, he has. Read over his comments if you want to, and just sign there at the bottom."
The room was silent for several minutes as Tangi did indeed read my comments. With a faint smile poised on her lips, she finally signed it. Then I signed it and finally Amy signed it.
All three of us finally stood up. Amy said, "Well, Tangi, I must say, this has been one of the easiest evaluations I've ever done."
Tangi laughed. "Thanks. I think."
"No, that was a compliment. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you."
Amy smiled at me and then at Tangi. "Well, I'll just be headed back down to HR. If you have any questions just let me know."
"Okay. Thank you, Amy."
And she left, boot heels clicking on the hardwood floor.
Tangi looked at the time and said, "Well, Jack, if it's OK with you, I was going to pick up my paycheck before lunch."
"Oh yeah, go ahead. It's almost time for lunch anyway. We could certainly use a long lunch, I think."
Tangi giggled. "Yes, sir."
I chuckled. "Go get your paycheck. Have lunch."
"What about you?"
"Oh, don't worry about me, I'll be going down to the cafeteria shortly."
"OK, Jack. See you after lunch."
I listened to the sound of her boots clicking on the bare floor. Once again I was caught looking at her boots as she looked back at me.
This time she winked and gave a little feminine wave as she left.
It wasn't until she was gone that I let out a chuckle. I would love to be there when she opens that envelope. But I had to pretend it was all business as usual.
* * * * * * * * *
The rest of the day passed like nothing. Amy Edwards wasn't the only visitor we had requiring both of us to dress like we were going to church.
A priest of all things, the CEO of one of those mega-churches who preached on TV, came to see me today. Mostly it was just an informational meeting, telling him all about the services we had to offer. I was surprised, pleasantly so but still surprised, when he said he would be getting back to us with his budget requirements and how soon we could get to work.
Full day, to be sure.
Outside in the hallway, I could hear the secretaries saying good night to each other and to their bosses.