Page 93 of Best Kept Secret
I didn’t expect an interview at SNN so quickly. WhenHannah told me about the possible position last night, I was expecting at least a few weeks’ turnaround, if anything. But then she literally called me an hour ago, told me she spoke to Patrick this morning, and that he was so interested to meet with me before he flies home to Los Angeles this afternoon. I was in my pajamas, rotting on the couch, watchingTen Things I Hate About Youat eleven a.m., embracing my sudden unemployment like a true champ. Far from interview-ready.
“Sorry about that, Millie.”
I startle from my thoughts, looking up to see Patrick move back to his seat.
“That’s okay.”
He looks over my resume again. “Here’s the thing,” he begins.
Here we go…Maybe I can start selling pictures of my feet.
“The last person I hired was a huge sports guy. Played on his high school varsity baseball team. Studied sports management at Duke. Ticked all the boxes. He was amazing...”
My shoulders fall.
Patrick flashes me a droll glance, continuing, “On paper.”
My brows tug together.
“Turns out, he was only interested in thebenefitsthat come with working at SNN and not actuallyworkingat SNN.”
“Oh…” I’m a little confused if I’m honest, but I say nothing more.
“To be honest, I don’t really care if you do or don’t like sports. I’m more interested in whether or not you can manage multiple priorities at once, if you can work under pressure and with minimal supervision, if you can maintain professionalism and discretion around some of the top athletes in the industry. Not freak out if Joey Tanner walked in here for an interview.”
“I can do all of that,” I say with a slightly arrogant smile. “And I don’t even know who Joey Tanner is, so the athletes are safe around me.”
Patrick chuckles, studying me a moment before standing again and holding his hand out. “Let’s do it.”
I stand, shaking his proffered hand. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “I think you’ll be a great fit. And Hannah speaks very highly of you and… I know I probably shouldn’t say this—” He makes a point of looking around, holding a hand up to the side of his mouth as if to tell me a secret. “She’s probably my best employee,” he whisper-yells.
“She’s… pretty amazing.” I smile.
“So, when can you start?”
My eyes widen. “Oh, wow. Um… I mean, I can start today.”
Patrick snickers, and I don’t know if he realizes I’m dead-ass. “Let me speak with HR,” he says, looking down at his phone. “We’ll get the paperwork together and send it through to you. We can work out a start date from there.”
I nod, wringing my hands together in front of me, trying so damn hard to maintain my professionalism when really, it’s taking all I have not to launch myself at the man and hug him to death. Thankfully, before it can come to that, we’re interrupted by Hannah.
“Hi,” she sings, smiling sweetly, looking between Patrick and me. “So, how’d it go?”
I press my lips together between my teeth, suppressing my smile.
Patrick rolls his eyes indulgently. “Yes, you were right, and she’s great. I’m going to have Leslie from HR draw up the contract.”
Hannah squeals, clapping her hands together before pulling me in for a hug, and I can’t help but laugh, her happiness infectious.
“Well, I’m going to leave this whole… situation to the two of you,” Patrick says, stepping around us and give a wide berth. “Millie, it was a pleasure. HR will be in touch.” He looks at Hannah. “And you need to get that plan to me by two p.m.—don’t forget.”
“Oh, pfft,” Hannah huffs, dismissing him before turning back to me. “I’m so excited!”
I, at least, have the self-control to wait for Patrick to disappear up the stairs and into one of the glass offices that line the mezzanine level before totally freaking out with Hannah.
“Oh, my God, Hannah.” I hug her, pulling back to look her in her eyes. “Thank you so much.”
