Page 17 of Business or Pleasure

He gave me a long, searching look and then nodded. “Ms. Boswell was right about you. I’ll tell you what, Ms. Sumpter, I’d like to offer you the position.”

I just stared at him for a moment. I thought things were going well, but I didn’t expect a flat-out offer.

“You don’t have to decide now, of course. Take your–”

“I can start Monday,” I blurted out. Heat flooded my cheeks. “I mean, yes, thank you. I’d love to work here.”

What the fuck just happened?

Six

Baylen

The seatbelt sign above me illuminated, and I braced myself for another round of turbulence as the plane descended for landing.

This time a week ago, I never imagined I’d be flying to Seattle today. And definitely not on a commercial flight. Usually, I’d have taken our family jet, but after I left my parents’ house, I knew I had to do this on my own, and not only because my parents had essentially cut me off from the family’s business funds.

If I went to them and apologized, admitted that they were right, perhaps I could have at least used the jet. But I still believed in this product. And while I had vowed never to mix business and pleasure again, I didn’t think it was always a bad idea. How could a person choose whom to love? Love just happened. It’s there, or it’s not.

The plane shook again, and the woman next to me woke with a start, her expression one of confusion.

“Where are we?” Brigh Flitton, my assistant, asked.

“Landing. Or crashing, maybe.” I clenched my hands deep into the armrests. “Brace yourself.”

Another violent jolt rattled through the plane, and the captain’s soothing voice echoed from the speaker. “I apologize for the minor bumps. We’re experiencing high winds as we descend into Seattle. Please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened.”

Brigh tugged my hand. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

Right.

When Brigh and I reached the baggage claim nearly an hour later, I had to admit that we made it to the ground safely. I still wasn’t so sure if I would say everything was fine. It was evening here in Seattle, but early morning back home, and my body felt it.

I hated jet lag, almost as much as I hated flying.

Exhaustion and a massive headache told me I would need to change my original plans for today. I couldn’t meet Alec for a drink tonight. Not like this. Lunch tomorrow would have to be soon enough.

* * *

Knowing that the time difference would have me up in the wee hours of the morning, I took some sleeping pills that knocked me out until mid-morning. The shower helped me wake up some, but I was still a little foggy as I checked my reflection to ensure I hadn’t missed a spot shaving.

I appreciated Brigh’s help over the weekend and her willingness to accompany me to Seattle with brief notice. She fully deserved a bonus when we returned home. I just hoped I’d have the money to do it.

The reminder on my phone alerted me that it was time to leave. Even though Alec was my friend, this was primarily a business lunch, which meant Brigh would be coming with me to take notes. I didn’t feel the need to text her a reminder, though. She was great at remembering details. It was one of the things that made her an invaluable employee.

Cast in point, I stepped into the hallway just as Brigh came out of the suite across from me.

“Perfect timing,” she said with a bright smile. “I already rang for a car.”

“Brilliant.” I gestured for her to enter the elevator ahead of me and joined her. “Did you take in any sites after breakfast?”

“I went to Chihuly Garden and Glass,” she said. “The desk clerk recommended it. A local ‘artist.’”

She made the air quotes as if her tone hadn’t conveyed her thoughts about the exhibit.

“An entire museum for a single person.” She shook her head.

Correction. Museum, not exhibit.

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