His Uptown Girl by Gail Sattler Page B

don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Bob Delanio.”
    â€œPleased to meet you, Mr. Delanio.” William’s eyes flitted to Bob’s off-the-rack suit, a sharp contrast to his tailor-made one. “I’m curious. How do you know my daughter?”
    â€œI’m—”
    â€œDaddy, why don’t we sit down at one of the tables to talk? It’s almost time for the speaker, and we should get good seats.”
    William frowned at her interruption, then turned back to Bob. “I suppose.”
    As they walked toward a free table, George turned quickly to him, and mouthed a word that looked like “help,” which made no sense to Bob.
    The second they were seated, George leaned toward her father. “Mr. Delanio is my boss, Daddy. He’s the co-owner, with his partner.”
    William picked up a canapé and inspected it, replacing it on his plate before addressing Bob. “I haven’t had much of a chance to talk to my daughter since shestarted working for your corporation. What is it exactly she does for you?”
    â€œUh…” While he and Bart had decided a few years ago to incorporate, they’d never thought of the tiny repair shop as a “corporation.” “Well, your daughter is my…” Under the table, Bob felt a sharp tapping on his ankle, halting his words. He raised one hand to his mouth and pretended to cough to give himself some time to figure out why George was kicking him.
    â€œAdministrative assistant, Daddy. I’m positive I told you that before. Please, let’s not talk so much business tonight. I hear these shrimp canapés are simply divine. You should go get more, before they run out.”
    Instead of leaving, William pushed his plate away.
    â€œThat’s okay, I’ve had enough. Tell me, has my daughter been doing a good job for you?”
    Bob picked up a shrimp canapé and popped it into his mouth, hoping that chewing would buy him some time to assimilate the image she wanted him to project. He’d never had an administrative assistant. He didn’t even know what one did. George did the bookkeeping, which was the only office-type function needed.
    â€œShe handles all our accounting.”
    William frowned. “Accounting?”
    Again, Bob felt a sharp tap on his ankle.
    â€œYes, but that’s only a small part of her duties. George…” His words cut off at another sharp tap at his ankle.
    â€œâ€¦ette,” he continued, noting an almost inaudible sigh from George, “has been instrumental in expanding our customer base.” He rubbed the spot with the top of his other foot. He wasn’t wearing his safety boots. If the kicking didn’t stop, he was going to have a very sore left foot.
    William smiled, and when William smiled, George smiled, telling Bob that he was saying what they both wanted to hear.
    He wasn’t lying. Upon completion of all work orders, they routinely asked new customers how they’d found out about the shop. Lately, a number of people said a friend had been impressed by the new mechanic, and had recommended them. Reading between the lines, he knew a number of the younger, single men had simply come to check out the hot chick. Still, it was new business, and he had to give George the credit for it.
    William leaned back in his chair. “I was very surprised she had taken a job. I’m glad she’s doing well.”
    â€œYes. She’s been very good for the company.”
    â€œSo, Mr. Delanio, what is it your company does?”
    George’s eyes opened farther than Bob had ever seen, and he could see the beginning of panic as her whole body went stiff.
    Bob couldn’t bear to watch her; he cleared his throat. “We deal mostly with the automotive industry. Because of your daughter, we’re now in a position to expand.” By adding another phone line.
    â€œAh.” William nodded. “So it’s a small company.