Fast Tracking the New Girl

It wasn't easy after the morning he'd had, but once Luke got back to his desk he made his best attempt to clear the Romance Mechanic from his mind and get on with the work he was actually being paid to do.

Rachel arrived back at her own desk not too long after, fully dressed and behaving as if everything was business as usual. Then Molly returned, looking a little different than before.

He definitely wasn't imagining it. The teen had not only put on new clothes - choosing a lighter, cuter outfit with a shorter skirt and high heels - but had also taken the opportunity to do her hair and make up. As she came and took a seat close behind him, Luke realised paying any attention to his work for the rest of the day was going to be a serious challenge. He nonetheless guided her through several tedious and routine data processes before opening a spreadsheet and explaining what he was dealing with presently.

"This is all so helpful, Luke. I'm incredibly grateful to you for sharing your expertise with me so generously" she gushed before leaning over and giving her mentor an appreciative kiss on the cheek "I just need to freshen up for a few moments but I'll be back soon"

The kiss was surprising, particularly from someone who seemed so conservative. That was until Luke subtly checked the app on his phone. He must have been too distracted to notice it buzzing at him but Molly was already on two hearts. For someone he had only been introduced to that morning it was incredible progress. Things were certainly moving at a significantly quicker pace than they had with anyone else and, if he was going to be training the bosses' daughter for the next couple of weeks, then perhaps it might not be Stef or Rachel who made it to five hearts first after all.

While he'd been marvelling at his progress with Molly on the app, Luke had failed to notice her mother standing right in front of him.

"Can I have a word with you in my office please?"

Shit. He put his phone's screen saver on instantly and followed her. He had a feeling their impromptu chat wasn't going to have much to do with work and that hunch quickly proved to be correct.

"First of all I want to thank you for how good you've been with my daughter today" Diane told her employee once she had closed the door behind him "I know it was a little cheeky of me to ask you to mentor her, but since you and I have got closer recently I didn't think you'd mind doing me a favour. She's really taken a shine to you, and seems highly engaged in the work we're doing here, which is great"

Okay, that had gone a lot better than Luke anticipated. Until..

"But I understand you've invited her on a date after work? And at the same time as ours"

Oops.

"Sorry, was that a bad idea? I can always postpone it."

"No, don't do that. She's way too excited about it and will blame me. I'm just a little disappointed. On our last date you invited some obnoxious comedian along and this time I find myself competing with my beautiful teenage daughter."

"It's not a competition Diane"

"That almost worries me more. Do you have some mother and daughter fantasy about us?"

Yes.

"No."

She walked over and stroked Luke's arm gently.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm still looking forward to tonight. And I'm happy you and Molly are getting along so well. But I do hope I'll get you to myself at some point."

"Of course, I'll make sure of it" he promised.

Luke then walked out of his bosses' office and straight into Gina, of all people. He could read the look on her face all too easily.

She wasn't impressed with him.

"Luke"

"Gina"

"I think we need to talk"

"Okay"

"Because I'm concerned you may be messing me around a little."

"Oh? In what way?"

"Last week you asked me out on a date. I had my reservations about it and Phil certainly did, but I agreed to it anyway. Since then I've heard nothing. And yet you've been on numerous dates with Rachel who, incidentally, I always knew you had your eye on while we were together, Diane and now I hear you've asked the work experience girl out for tonight. She literally only arrived here this morning."

Hmmm, this was interesting. Did Luke detect a hint of jealousy from his ex? If so then he was certainly going to have some fun with it.

"You have to appreciate this is a difficult situation for me to manage, Gina. There are lots of women I'm dating right now and I cam assure you that you're very much on the roster. But, to give Molly as an example, she has come in today and really wowed me with her energy and enthusiasm. Also have you seen how amazing she looks since going home and doing herself up up? I'd say she's more than earned that date tonight."

"Wow, so you're viewing a date with you as some sort of prize to be won now?"

"I'm saying I have lots of competing options and there needs to be some kind of selection criteria"

"This is unbelievable!" Gina folded her arms and rolled her eyes like she always did when Luke had pissed her off "Well, have fun with the bosses' teenage daughter this evening. I'm sure than won't backfire on you an a career limiting way."

Luke smirked to himself as his ex-girlfriend walked away. If he knew Gina like he was pretty sure he did, she would come in tomorrow looking like a total knockout. For now though, he was going to enjoy making a show of his current favourite right in front of her.

"Everything okay?" Molly checked as he arrived back at his desk and she scuttled her chair over to be close to him again.

"Yes, I was just telling your mother how impressed I've been with you today."

"Oh, wow! Thanks Luke, that means a lot!"

"It's my pleasure! I'm sure someone with a mind as sharp as yours will go onto much greater things than working here, but since you're picking everything up so quickly I'm going to make it my mission to teach you everything I know for as long as you're here. Even the really advanced stuff."

"That's amazing, Luke, I don't know what to say other than thank you! I can't believe how generous you've been to me with your knowledge and also your time. That's something else I see as a true gift" Molly gushed as she rested her chin on Luke's shoulder and he felt his phone vibrating again.