Page 108 of Fun Together
“Like, if we were together. Because she saw us dancing at the party.”
“What did you say?” Faye and I haven’t really talked more about what exactly we’re doing here, with each other. Not that I think she’d be totally honest about our relationship, or friendship, with a coworker. Still, I find myself holding my breath for her answer.
“That we were friends.”
“Maybe she was just trying to make the interview feel more casual.”
She shrugs. “Maybe. Did you know I would be interviewing with a bunch of people at once?”
“Didn’t I tell you that?”
She shakes her head.
“Fuck, I’m sorry. I really thought I mentioned it.” How could I forget to tell her that? She was already nervous about the interview and then I added that surprise into the mix. It feels like my heart rises into my throat.
I really need to be better.
“It’s okay. It’s over now. I won’t ask about other candidates because I’d rather not know, but do you know when they’re making a decision?”
“You’re the best candidate for it, easily. I think we’re meeting on Friday since they’re eager to get the role filled.”
“If I don’t get it?—”
I stop her before she can continue. “You’re going to get it.”
34
Eli
“Faye isn’t getting the job?”
Melissa takes off her glasses and sets them on her desk. “We’re going with another candidate someone on the team brought in. They said Faye seemed like a great person but is not qualified for this role.”
This is bad. I made Faye think she was a shoo-in for this job. How am I going to tell her this when I brushed aside her worries about the interview?
“I don’t think Faye should have even been put up for this role.”
“I disagree.” This comes out more combative than I meant. I ease my tone and ask, “Why do you say that?”
“I know you two are friends, or maybe more than that based on some of the notes from Mary, but we can’t be offering positions just because we’re friends. This is a business, and I’d like to make sure we’re crossing t’s and dotting i’s. Not wasting anyone’s time.”
So not only am I about to disappoint Faye, but now my manager thinks I’m bad at my job for trying to offer favors to my friends. Or worse, that because I made Faye dance with me at the company party, everyone thinks she’s sleeping with me to get a job? It’s so stupid and I feel heat rise up the back of my neck. I don’t mention that ninety percent of people get their jobs through connections.
I think I might key Mary’s car.
“I’m sorry if they feel that I wasted their time. And I assure you, I think Faye would be great in that role.”
“Well, decision’s been made already.”
“Who is the person they’re offering it to?” This is the first I’m even hearing of an outside candidate. Wouldn’t this be information I should be made aware of?
“Someone that Anna went to school with. They used to work together at another company, and I like the initiative she showed to bring her in.”
I want to scream. I want to snap her glasses in half. The same thing I’m being reprimanded for is the same reason she’s praising someone else. I feel like I’m going insane.
“Can I tell Faye?” The least that I can do is have this news come from me, since this is all my fault.
“Sure, that’s fine. Now, let’s discuss your next assignments. I think it might be best if you and I work on them together. I may have let the baby chick out of the nest too fast.”
