Page 112 of Not That Into You

“Nothing.” She glances at her watch. “Do you have time for lunch today?”

“Sorry, I don’t. I’ve got a 12:30.”

“All right. I guess I’ll let you get back to work.” She stands up. “But you owe me a meal sometime soon.”

I snort. When she makes it halfway to the door, I stand up. “Hey.”

She stops and turns around as I stride over and wrap her in a tight hug. “Thanks for caring.”

“Always.” She pulls back and stares into my eyes. “Just be careful.”

I boop her on the nose. “Always.”

Moments later, I’m back at my desk, responding to an email when I catch someone entering my office out of the corner of my eye. Assuming it’s Mac, I say, “I’m almost done here. I know I have a 12:30.”

“In that case, I’ll be brief.”

My gaze whips up to my father, who’s standing in the middle of the room. “Uh, sorry. I thought you were my assistant.”

“I gathered.”

I lean back in my chair. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

My father has never dropped by my office, preferring to summon me to his domain, where he inevitably makes me wait outside his office before calling me in to deliver terse instructions laced with disapproval.

I’d offer him a chair, but if he wanted to sit, he’d already be seated, not waiting for an invitation. No doubt he wants to remain standing to loom over me in a position of power.

I smile pleasantly, affecting a casual air. See, Hayley. I am the master of casual.

“I understand your interview is this week.”

“Yes, on Friday.”

“It’s not too late to pull out.”

My abs clench, refusing to let him land a gut punch. I cross my arms and lift a brow.

His mouth forms a rigid line. “You’re determined to interview?”

“I am.”

Displeasure flashes across his face as he finally sits down. “You’re not qualified.”

And he lands a gut punch anyway. “Excuse me?”

“There are other candidates who are older, more experienced.”

“And if the board believes one of them is a better fit for the job, they’ll offer the job to them.”

“No doubt they will, which is why you should pull out and wait a few more years until you have more experience.”

“I have enough experience now.”

“You’re not ready. And you’re a Stanhope.”

“Which, as we both know, continues to disappoint you.”

He clenches his jaw. “This is The Stanhope Group, Cameron. Stanhopes have been running this company from the beginning and will continue running it, not just because of our last name, but because of what our last name represents, because of who we are. We are hardworking, disciplined, and relentless. We stand at the top of this company not just because your grandfather founded it, but because we’ve earned it.” He points at me. “And you haven’t earned it yet.”

---