Free The Best Is Yet to Come: Novella Bonus for Her Best Match (The Best Girls Book 0) by Tamie Dearen

Chapter One
     
     
    Steven was in the zone , pushing his body to its limit. Sweat was glistening on his bare chest, dripping from his face. At the end of a two-hour ride on his training cycle, he reveled in forcing his body to submit, despite the pain and fatigue. As the tone sounded, indicating he’d met his goal, he exited the bike, toweling off while his heartbeat gradually slowed to normal.
    He noted a number of surreptitious appreciative looks from various females working out near him, all of them at least fifteen years his junior. He knew he was in remarkable shape for a forty-nine-year-old. Like everything in his life, his approach to exercise was total discipline. He was careful with his diet, kept alcohol to a minimum and exercised five days per week. Six months of every year his training became more intense as he prepared for the Ironman competition. As a result, his six-foot-three frame sported broad shoulders with a tapered waist, every muscle sculpted from a variety of training, including running, swimming, cycling, and climbing.
    In the elevator his cell phone vibrated, and he fumbled with his gear to answer it, knowing his friend would panic if he failed to answer. “Hey, Gary. I’m on my way up to the apartment to shower, and then I’ll be ready to go.”
    “Great! Pick me up at nine? The grand opening is at twelve, but the ribbon-cutting is at ten. And thanks to you, there’ll be plenty of press-coverage.”
    “Just doing my part, buddy.”
    “I’m still pretty nervous. I know it’s not much to you, Gherring, but I’ve sunk everything I’ve got into this climbing gym.”
    “Come on, Gary. I’ve never made a bad investment. I wouldn’t be putting my money into Climbing High if I weren’t positive of the outcome. Quit worrying so much.”
    He laughed. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes, and you can give me a pep-talk on the way. Oh, and my fiancée will be there, of course.”
    “You mean, my personal executive assistant , Ms. Carson.”
    “Not for long,” Gary reminded him. “She says you still haven’t hired a replacement, despite having two rounds of interviews.”
    “There weren’t any good candidates.” Irritation crept into his voice, despite his efforts to keep it hidden. “It’d be much easier if Ms. Carson kept working for me and we found a secretary for you at the gym.”
    “Steven... It’s not happening. Katie’s coming to work with me at the gym as soon as we get married, whether or not you find a new executive assistant.”
    “This is the thanks I get for introducing you to her?”
    “I refuse to feel sorry for you. You own Gherring Inc. You’re a billionaire. You can afford to hire any executive assistant you want.”
    “I don’t want a new assistant.”
    “Okay, Gherring. That’s the problem. You hate that for once in your life you’re not getting exactly what you want.”
    Steven knew it was partially true. He liked controlling every detail of his life. He needed control. He seldom met a challenge he couldn’t bend to his will. But the truth was he enjoyed the challenge. He liked the stimulation of conflict and competition. But he also liked winning.
    “We’ll see,” he said, dismissing Gary’s argument. “I need to take a shower now. We can talk about our options later.”
    “Gherring!” Gary’s voice was annoyed. “This is not open for discussion.”
    “Sorry, gotta go,” Steven said, disconnecting the call. He smiled to himself. Surely he could talk Katie into remaining at Gherring Inc. as his executive assistant. Maybe if he offered another raise. He had no intention of giving in on this one, even though Gary was his best friend. He planned to win, and he never failed.
     
    As Gary predicted, a huge crowd had gathered in front of Climbing High, including a fair number of the press corps. Gherring was accustomed to media attention. It seemed the public was always enamored with news of the dashing billionaire’s activities, no matter how