To accept a job as PA to someone I have a dreadful schoolgirl crush on?

[MeantToStopAtTwo]

I've fallen for someone wholly inappropriate in an embarrassingly adolescent way, to the point where I find myself doing ridiculous things like saving his voice-mail messages to re-listen to and getting excited about using the same pen as him ('cos he's actually touched it too).

I am self-employed and he is an occasional client. I ended up chatting to him at an Xmas lunch today. He mentioned that he is thinking about getting a PA in 2014. I jokingly suggested that maybe it could be me. To my surprise he has seriously taken me up on this and sent me an email this afternoon pretty much saying the job is mine if I really want it!!

OMG it is tempting. Imagine getting the opportunity to spend all day with - and organising the life of - somebody you are that nuts about. Yet career-wise it would make no sense. I am much better off in every way working for myself and have worked hard to build up a good client base, which I would have to abandon. People would wonder what the hell I was doing. PAing isn't even related to what I do.

Is he married?

Yes Quint the OP is making herself look like a silly school girl by moving sideways into a role that has nothing to do with what she currently does, just to be nearer to her crush.

However, to suggest that all pa's do is arrange meetings and order flowers is extremely insulting.

No definitely not if you are not both single. You would be tempted to do something, at the very least embarrassing yourself. You need to stay away from him, and also a la Dear Dierdre pep up your marriage. Making a wrong move in your career is not as bad as making a wrong move that could end up hurting everyone in your family.

Can you offer your services (oooh Matron! I DO mean PROFESSIONAL ones ) to him in a different capacity? What's your current job? If it has anything to do with recruitment, for example, you're laughing; but even if not, is there another way you could help him out?

I also have a serious crush on an occasional colleague. I'm not single and don't think he is, so it's firmly in the realms of fantasy. It's fun though!

Quint, your comment about 'arranging diaries, meeting and the wife/mistress's flowers' is insulting both to PAs and to the men who employ them.

I am sorry to have insulted a PAs. My comment was tongue in cheek to the OP, and does by no means reflect what I think of PAs.

It is amazing how on MN you can always count on somebody to be insulted by something said to somebody else entirely, and out of context.

You'd probably get over the crush rather quickly then be stuck with a job you hadn't really wanted so I would avoid it.

OP how would you feel if your partner was considering something like this?
YABU.

PAs and the men who employ them ?

I have a PA, and I am female. He does not order my mistress's flowers, though he does arrange meetings, that's part of his job. Pretty sure he doesn't fancy me, either.

You're quite right, Mighty, I was being sexist. It was in the context, though, of the comment about PAs sorting out 'the wife/mistress's flowers'.

Email his wife, see what she thinks?

Why don't you let your DP read this thread and ask for his advice. It sounds as if you have already thought of cheating with this guy.

This is right up there with the stupidest of stupid ideas-I'd say it's a definite no-more so if I was his wife/partner

Team Hermione for me I'm afraid.

You're all right. I would be beyond nuts to accept this really.

I am working on ways instead to provide more and/or other services to this man, as Headless suggests.

StepAwayFromThe... man! enjoy the crush but don't start obsessing, this is how affairs begin or dissatisfaction in your own relationship.