Page 81 of Second Time Around
“You should speak with our director, Emily Wade, about the marketing tie-in,” Kyra said. “I’m not qualified to comment on that.”
“When children are involved, we obviously have to be very careful, but it could benefit the center in a substantial way,” Greg said. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. Let’s go inside and talk further.”
Shaq was lying on his back in the sun, legs sprawled in a very undignified manner. “Hey, boy.” Kyra bent to attach his leash but the dog just lay there until she gave him a gentle tug. “Time to go.”
With a moan, Shaq rolled over and got to his feet, his expression one of reproach for cutting short his sunbathing.
“What a character!” Greg said. “I definitely want him in our ad campaign.”
“You hear that, Shaq? The nice man wants to make you a celebrity.”
The barking rose again when she opened the back door but she didn’t attempt to quiet it. She returned Shaq to his crate and led Greg back to the kitchen.
Greg slid onto a stool. “Tell me about your background,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“Your résumé.”
“I’m not sure I understand what that has to do with dog food,” Kyra said.
“I want to hire you to work on this project. You’ve got the food. You’ve got the contacts.” He swept his hand around to indicate the center. “You’ve got the passion. You’re the obvious person to spearhead it.”
Kyra sat down hard on a stool. She knew nothing about launching a product for a corporation. “I don’t think I’m qualified.”
“Talk to me,” Greg commanded again.
She told him about having only two years of college, about working part-time in the local restaurant in Macungie, about bartending at Stratus, and cooking for the center. “So, you see, I don’t have any corporate experience.”
“I didn’t either when Will and I started Ceres.” He shrugged. “You learn. Sometimes the hard way.”
The mention of Will sent a flash of comprehension rushing through her. The dog food was a front. He’d set this up because he felt sorry for her. He wanted to give her some kind of cushy, figurehead job with a salary she didn’t deserve so she could pay off her debts. He was throwing her a bone—she winced inwardly at the pun—in order to fool her into believing it was a real business. He’d recruited Greg to throw her off the scent. Dear God, she had to stop with the dog metaphors.
But they kept her mind off all the implications of the job offer that she didn’t want to deal with in front of Greg.
“I’m really flattered, but I’m not the right person for the job.”
“Think about it.” Greg took a business card out of his pocket. “Call me with any questions.”
Kyra took the card but she didn’t believe a word he said. She didn’t have any of the skills required for such a position. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. I’ll be in touch.”
His gaze rested on her face and he managed to look sincere. “Don’t turn it down. You’ll be an asset to the project.”
Friday night was always busy at Stratus but Kyra didn’t remember a single customer she’d served for the last eight hours. Her attention had been focused on examining Greg’s job offer from every angle. Will had texted a couple of times with sexy quotations, but she’d brushed him off with a “too crazy busy to text.” And he’d left her alone after that, something she should give him credit for.
Except that she was too upset. He’d changed everything between them. Before this, she could fool herself into believing the differences between them didn’t matter. Will fit into her world so effortlessly that she’d forgotten that she couldn’t move in the opposite direction. She didn’t belong in the executive offices of a corporation or on a Connecticut estate that reminded her of a theme park. She had ignored the warning signal of Betsy Chase’s contempt for her.
But this job offer threw a harsh light on the vast gulf between them. Will could wave his magic watchband and create a job out of thin air just so his current girlfriend could pay off her debts. She had to give him credit for generosity, but the thought of him having that kind of power knocked the breath out of her.
On its heels came a gut-wrenching realization: she’d fallen in love with him ... again. And she would have to give him up ... again.
When the limo cruised up in front of Stratus at 1:30 a.m., Kyra was waiting on the sidewalk under the watchful eye of their late-night doorman, Pete, who wouldn’t leave until the last female staff member haddeparted in what he judged to be a safe means of transportation. It always gave Kyra a little glow of comfort to know Pete cared.
As Will unfolded his long body from the car, she couldn’t help it ... she hurled herself at him, wanting to feel all of him against her for the last time.
“Now that’s a hello,” he said, his arms going around her without hesitation so that she was wrapped in him. She buried her nose in his chest, inhaling the smell of skin-warmed cotton and beautiful, golden Will. Trying to absorb the memory of how this felt so she could carry it with her when he was gone.
When she clung to him longer than usual, he took her shoulders and held her away so he could see her face, his own clouded with concern. “What is it?”
