Page 27 of Scottish Seducer
Chapter 11
Stephanie
When I endedmy last meeting, one thing was clear. I needed help.
And I wasn’t talking about a secretary. I needed someone with good management skills. The only person I knew with the skills I needed right now was my old boss, but my hand shook when I picked up the phone on my desk.
She had the power to deny this and, unlike everyone else, she’d remember me today. On the second ring, she answered, and I said, “Margot, there you are.”
“Miss Steel, I’m sure you’re quite busy.”
Miss? Fuck.Yesterday she’d called me “Stephanie”. I rubbed the back of my head and said, “I called because I want to thank you for always being a good boss to me.”
“I wasn’t kind.”
No, but that wasn’t her job. I had my sisters to cry to, not my boss. And right now I needed someone who could ensure the creative team and the techie people could work together smoothly, so I said, “You always gave me time off when I asked and kept me in line.”
“I was your supervisor.”
And a good one. She was also qualified for upper management. I ignored my goose bumps, because today I learned that I need someone who keeps everyone on a tight schedule. So I played with my necklace and said, “Right, and I’m hoping you’ll accept a temporary promotion that triples your salary.”
“What?”
“Mr. Grannd has me building an app based on Jane Austen.”
She let out a small laugh, and I could imagine her gazing up at her ceiling. She’d heard me on many lunch breaks discussing the events I attended. So she asked, “That’s your new job here?”
I should get to the point. Margot was one of the most organized people I’d ever met. She knew my schedule for requested time off before I even asked. So I said, “Yeah. And while I’m great with Jane Austen, I’m not the best at organizing people, which is why I’d like you to organize everyone and ensure all the people in the moving parts communicate and coordinate.”
“What happens if…well, if your newrelationshipdoesn’t work out?”
Right. I’d never be taken truly seriously here. No one else said it today, but I’m not stupid either. Once Charlie and I ended, I’d have to stop messing around and truly figure out what I wanted to do to support myself.
I sat back and said, “I don’t know. But supervising a bigger project, if it’s successful, would earn you a pay raise for now and the experience you need to get a more important, permanent position.”
“Let me talk to my husband. I’ll text you tomorrow morning.”
Good. Margot had the management degree, so she’d be accepted by all these business types. Behind me, my office door opened, and my skin warmed, which meant it was Charlie.
So I quickly said, “Excellent,” to Margot and hung up.
I stood. Charlie came over and hugged me as he asked, “Are you ready, Stephanie?”
No denying our relationship. Everyone knew.
So I took his hand and didn’t care for a moment as we headed to his elevator. I kept my mouth shut during the walk, but once the doors closed and we were alone, I said, “I want to apologize for lunch.”
We descended as he asked, “Why?”
For wishing he’d fall in love with me...not that I’d be stupid enough to say it out loud. I swallowed and said, “For getting all uppity with Caroline and listing my sisters’ spouses. Like I know we aren’t really equals, but I don’t like being judged by people I don’t know.”
He nudged me and said, “I don’t care what Caroline thinks. And as for me and you…”
He curled his hands around my waist, and I turned to him. My heartbeat picked up as I asked, “Yes?”
H gazed at me, and I swear he saw right through me when he said, “I like…us. And you seem to get me when most people don’t.”
Warmth rushed through my limbs as I said, “I like us, too.”
