Brandon sat at his desk doing some paperwork he’d got behind on. He hated being tied to a desk and did anything he could think of to escape it. He’d rather shop for his mom on the way home than to work at that desk. But, until more technology eliminated more paper, it was life. Damn if he hadn’t made a good cup of coffee a few minutes ago! It was just right and delicious. They’d told him those non-dairy coffee creamers weren’t so good for your health but hell, they were so delicious. Who wanted to give them up? He was taking the last sip when Kaitlin came in. She was his ‘assistant’ whom he referred to as a little devil. A few minutes with her and her jokes and one understood why.

“Tina’s here,” Kaitlin said.

“Tina? I don’t know any Tina.”

“Well, she has an appointment with you. She’s Mike’s sister, she says. You know, Mike Greenberg.”

“Oh yeah, Mike. That Mike. I’ll see her.”

Kaitlin smiled. “You’ll see her?”

“Yeah, I’ll see her now. You know, as in keep the appointment.”

“I see,” said Kaitlin. “I’ll fetch her.”

Brandon shook his head. His crazy Kaitlin. And Mike. Loudmouth Mike was even crazier! Weren’t all his friends? Now he had to talk to Mike’s sister!

Tina came in the office. Brandon looked up and was suddenly at a loss for words. This Tina here standing before him defied belief. She moved first.

“Hi, I’m Tina Greenberg. Nice to meet you,” she said, extending a hand.

Brandon stood and shook hands with Tina. “Uh, my pleasure. Please, sit here,” he said.

“I understand you need a new staff member,” Tina said.

Brandon thought, ‘Staff member?  How about staff angel?’ He had seen plenty of beautiful young women. Hell, just turn on the TV. But Tina, wow! That was just it. She was one of those on TV, only sitting here at his desk this very minute.

“Yes, we’re looking for a research person. When that’s caught up, the person will just help out in general. You know, glorified gofer we call assistant.”

“I have experience doing research. I hope you have nothing against blondes,” Tina said. She’d decided she was going to be herself in the interview, even if she didn’t get the job.

Brandon laughed. “Not at all. I hope you don’t have anything against single guys.”

“Not that I know of,” replied Tina, getting comfortable.

“Look,” Brandon said, “I wouldn’t mind another cup of coffee and a brownie or something. There’s a coffee shop a few doors down. We could finish the interview there if you’d like. I’d also be interested in having dinner together.”

Tina thought a minute of her current boyfriend, Jerry. Jerry the Jokester. She’d been on the brink of breaking up with him for months now but hadn’t actually made the move. Now she began to feel the need to go ahead with it.

“Great,” she said, standing. “Let’s go.”