She Made a List of the Perfect Man — Then Fell for the One Who Failed Every Rule
Chapter 2
Jessica’s first morning at Harrington Capital began with coffee, panic and a broken printer.
By nine-thirty, she had already answered twenty-seven phone calls.
By ten, she had accidentally sent an internal email to the wrong department.
By eleven, she had spilled coffee on her own blouse.
And by noon, she had met Michael Harrington.
He walked through the glass doors without an entourage.
No dramatic entrance.
No loud announcement.
Just a tall man in a charcoal suit carrying a folder under one arm.
Jessica looked up.
Their eyes met.
For one embarrassing second, she forgot what she was doing.
Michael stopped.
“Ms. Parker?”
Jessica stood.
“Yes.”
“I’m Michael Harrington.”
“I know.”
His eyebrow lifted.
Jessica immediately realized how ridiculous that sounded.
“I mean—I know because you’re the CEO.”
“Good recovery.”
There was the faintest hint of amusement in his voice.
He handed her a document.
“I need these prepared for the afternoon meeting.”
Jessica took them.
“Of course.”
Michael turned.
Then stopped.
“One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Your printer is broken.”
Jessica looked behind her.
“It is?”
“It has been flashing red for the last ten minutes.”
She turned.
The machine was indeed blinking.
“Oh.”
Michael almost smiled.
“Welcome to Harrington Capital.”
Then he walked away.
Jessica watched him disappear down the hallway.
Her heart was beating faster than it should have.
She opened her notebook.
Michael Harrington.
Handsome.
Successful.
Intelligent.
Polite.
British.
Well-dressed.
She put six check marks beside his name.
Then she immediately crossed his name out.
“No,” she whispered.
He was her boss.
That was absolutely not happening.
She needed to focus on the assignment.
That evening, she met her best friend Jean for drinks.
Jean listened as Jessica described her first day.
“Let me guess,” Jean said. “You found another man who fits your list.”
Jessica smiled.
“Maybe.”
“And?”
“He’s my boss.”
Jean nearly choked.
“Jessica.”
“I know.”
“Don’t.”
“I said I know.”
Jean pointed at her.
“Your list is already ruining your life.”
Jessica laughed.
She didn’t believe her.
Not yet.
