Page 4 of His Rules

“Ms. Bennett. I apologize.”

“Yes, well, don’t worry about it. I’m Tabitha Bennett, human resources director for Aeronautical Enterprises. Let’s get started. I have another interview in fifteen minutes.” She checked her watch as if all this was a huge waste of her time.

The feisty woman inside of me almost snapped at her with a caustic reply. With an important position up for grabs like financial analyst for a Fortune 500 company, I would think she’d be more diligent in her efforts. Thankfully, the little voice inside my head insisted that would be a job-losing proposition.

“I’m fine with that and I can talk very fast.”

She looked up from the papers in front of her, smirking at me. She was smirking. Why was I bothering? “Yes, I’m certain you can. Tell me about your work with your previous employer.”

I started going over all my accomplishments and how I’d handled adversity, leaving out the part my boss had hit on me three times in the last year alone.

Like father, like son.

Another reason I was getting the hell out of New York.

Ms. Bennett hadn’t written notes or underlined anything on my resume. I assumed that’s what she had in front of her. For all I knew, the piece of paper could contain her grocery list.

“I’m certain you’ve done your homework on our firm.”

“Extensively.” That was a huge lie. I’d done enough to get me through the first formalities, but not enough to provide a method of improving the bottom line. In other words, I’d read the glossy Google information over once. I hadn’t even paid attention to who owned the firm. That’s how desperate I’d been to get out of town. For all I knew, they were financially solvent and filling the position wasn’t more than a placeholder.

Or they engaged in criminal activities and I’d find myself embroiled in embezzlement. As my best friend would tell me, my mind was a mysterious beast.

“Excellent. Tell me, Ms. Taylor. How would you help this company get out of its financial woes? Exactly what would you do?” Her snarky attitude pissed me off, but I had to keep my cool.

I almost fell into a coughing fit. She’d caught me in a little white lie and I could tell by her wry expression she knew it too.

Fine. Two could play this game. She might not like me very much, but the feeling was mutual. I accepted the challenge, rattling off some financial bullshit that almost any company could do when facing a financial crisis. I’d learned the speech from my current boss. At least he was good for something other than leering at me when I left the women’s bathroom.

When I was finished, I allowed myself the audacity of checking my watch as she’d done before. I’d made it in time. And I felt damn good about my answer. Whatever Aeronautical Enterprises was going through, perhaps my excellent suggestions would prove helpful.

Only Ms. Bennett still hadn’t written down a single note.

“Thank you, Ms. Taylor, for such an informative assertion.”

Informative assertion. She’d asked. I’d answered. What did she want from me?

“I try and provide that any time I speak, Ms. Bennett.” My words came out with a grumpy flair. I’d been one grouch since discovering Nathan’s infidelity. I almost liked the new me better. Bold. Bitchy. Maybe I’d keep her around for a little while instead of the meek girl I’d become over the years.

Ms. Taylor lifted her eyebrows and studied me, allowing her gaze to fall as far as the eye on the screen could see. I suddenly squirmed uncomfortably in my seat. Could she tell I was only half dressed for this interview?

“I think I have all I need. If I feel you’re a good fit for the man and for the company, I’ll give you a call. Otherwise, good luck finding a position that suits your… attributes.”

That was the most dismissed I’d ever felt.

A couple of additional pleasantries and she was the one who ended the meeting. I sat back in my seat, contemplating tossing the water bottle across the room. With my obviously bad luck, even though it was made of plastic, the bottle would bounce off the dresser and smash through the window.

There wasn’t a single doubt in my mind. I wasn’t getting a call back. At least I had one live interview secured in a couple of days. That would start me on a path. I’d have six days from there to hunt down a job before being forced to return to New York. But not with my tail between my legs. I wasn’t that kind of woman.

I yanked my phone off the desk. I’d waited to call my father until I had a better feel about this interview. I wasn’t prepared to tell him the reason I was heading home. He’d only try to use his powerful influence to get me a job. I’d never wanted to be that kind of girl, no matter how many buddies my dad had amassed over the years.

After finding his number in my phone, I took a deep breath, shocked he answered on the second ring.

“Hey, honey. How are you?”

“I’m great, Dad. How are things with the famous surgeon?”

“Famous? I don’t think so. They’re going fantastic but unfortunately, I’m headed into a medical convention speaking on the importance of good nutrition while handling cardiac events.”

---