Her boss looked at her skeptically. He removed his glasses, and massaged his temples. He placed them back on his nose and eyed her. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the young man who came in here yesterday evening, would it?"
Ashley sighed. There was no use in lying. "Yes, it would."
He nodded. "I understand. An old friend? Flame?"
"Friend," Ashley confirmed. "I'd really like to have time to spend with him and my family."
He sighed. "I hate to let you loose, Ashley. You're my best employee."
She smiled. "I've only been working for a week, sir."
"You're one of the few people I've kept on for more than a week," he admitted. He looked at his hands, which were folded on his desk. "So, a 9 to 5 job is what you want, huh? I don't know. That's not when I get most of my business. I don't suppose I could interest you in say…a 1 to 9 job?"
Ashley grinned. "Of course!"
"Okay," he said. "Starting Monday, I won't expect you in until 1, and I won't let you go until closing. Sound okay?"
"Thank you, sir," Ashley said, shaking his hand ecstatically. She got up to leave, but before she walked out the door he called her back.
"Ashley," he told her, "I know that man is married. Don't set yourself up for a fall."
Her face became pinched for a moment. She knew what he was saying: don't think he's going to make you the center of his universe.
"I know," she said. "I'm not."
He just nodded, and went back to balancing his books. She hurried out of his office, tired and ready to be home.
