Jack Walker. Java Heaven CFO.

And currently the bane of her existence.

It was clear from her first day on the Java Heaven job a month ago that the new CFO wasn’t happy she was there. Not that she cared-she was accustomed to employees giving her the stink eye. Coming on board at Java Heaven certainly wasn’t the first time she’d been viewed as an interloper, a sentiment she could actually sympathize with. It was simply human nature that most people were initially resistant to change and to outsiders. She took pride in her role of helping companies run more efficiently, and early on in her career had developed a thick skin. She wasn’t at Java Heaven to win any popularity contests. And besides, she certainly didn’t care what Jack Walker thought of her.

“Honey, if you think that man is repulsive, you need new glasses. Stat.”

Emma’s voice yanked Maddie’s attention back to her friend. “I didn’t mean he’s physically repulsive.” Although she wished he was. It simply wasn’t fair that such a pain in the butt was so extremely attractive. “But we both know the type-good-looking guy who clearly knows it.”

Emma nodded. “The better looking they are, the worse they are.” “Exactly.”

“Which means he must be really, really bad. ’Cause looks-wise, he’s really, really good. How old is he?”

“Office scuttlebutt is that he’s thirty-two.”

“Perfect. Not too young, not too old, although on the young side for a CFO. He must be very smart.”

“Yes. And in his case, with great intelligence comes great annoyance.”

Emma laughed. “You sure he’s not taken?”

“He’s not married, or engaged,” Maddie said, “but he’s definitely a player.” She’d observed a number of female employees giving Jack Walker the once-over-more than once. Although she had to grudgingly admit she couldn’t blame them, nor had she seen him catch any of the ogling passes tossed his way.