Page 16 of The Grump I Loathe
“Well, thanks but no thanks.”
I jerked back, my eyebrows colliding in disbelief. “You’re really about to turn down this job because of a dress code?”
“No, I’m about to turn it down because youassumeI don’t know what business attire is. And youassumeholes in my jeans make me less professional or bad at my job or whatever else you’re thinking. And by throwing me into that playtest without preparation, youassumedI wouldn’t be able to figure out what was going on with Juni andShadownarratively.”
I clenched my jaw. I hadn’t expected her to pick up on that.
“That’s a whole lot of assumptions to make about someone you don’t know,” she continued. “So, again, thanks for the offer, but I’ve made it a personal mission not to work for any more jerks.”
Was that so? “The salary is more than competitive,” I said, jaw tight. “Especially considering your level of experience.”
She clicked her tongue. “If you were so concerned about my level of experience, why was I even given an interview?”
Why indeed?I had Max to blame for that and dammit, he was right.
“The fact you should be concerning yourself with is that there are other narrative designers out there with more credits under their belts.” None of them had fit the project as well as Eddie had, but I wasn’t going to admit that. I needed her.Shadowneeded her. But I wanted her to think she needed usmore.
“Oh, thank you for that tidbit of wisdom,” she snarked. “I had no idea.”
“Don’t throw away a chance to move yourself up the ladder,” I said. “You and I both know what a résumé boost working for LockMill would be. And if the salary isn’t quite what you’re looking for, I’m willing to negotiate.” I was willing to budge handsomely on the bottom line if it would put an end to this conversation.
“Oh, are you?” she said testily. “Well, you know what, Lord LockMill, you can take your cash and stuff it.”
Lord…What? I shook that off. “Consider what you’re turning down.”
“Consider what I’m…” Eddie’s jaw tightened like I’d struck a nerve. “Oh, because I’m too inexperienced to be able to consider a legitimate job offer? You know what your problem is?”
“I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“You think throwing money at people will solve all your problems. That if you hit them with the right number, you’ll get them to bend the knee and thank you for bestowing them with the opportunity to work for you.”
“It would certainly solveyourproblems.” My gaze dropped, taking her in. But it wasn’t the holey jeans or the neon streaks in her hair that she needed money for. Not really. “You’re young, just starting out in life. I remember what that’s like. Spreading myself thin. Worrying that there wouldn’t be enough cash to go around.”
She sneered but didn’t deny it.
“There’s a great benefits package, and we can talk about a performance bonus ifShadowdoes well in the market after release.”
“Is this your schtick? Open your wallet and dangle cash like a carrot? Not everyone likes carrots.” She brushed by me as the doors opened again. “Have fun with your interviews. I hope you find someone before your sinuses explode.”
“There’s something you’re saving for,” I called after her, holding the elevator open. “There has to be.” But what was it? “A house down payment?”
“What would I do with a house all to myself?” she yelled. “I don’t even want to clean the apartment I have.”
“Maybe you want to travel. See the world. That performance bonus could buy you a nice few months in Europe.”
No reaction. She couldn’t have finished college all that long ago. What did college grads want besides a secure job? “Or it could put a significant dent into some student loan debt.”
She stumbled slightly, and I clocked it like the answer to a damn mystery. Her student loans. Maybe that was my way in.
“You know,” she said sarcastically. “That might have been enticing. But I’ve heard Waylaid Games actually offers a student loan repayment program for employees, so I’m gonna try my luck with them down the street.” She gave me another one of those infuriating salutes.
I glowered after her retreating form as she marched across the lobby, every fiber of my being wanting this to be the last I ever saw of her. But I knew letting her walk out that door would be a mistake. Max and Leigh and Darius would be disappointed to find out we’d lost her to another opportunity, and I couldn’t bring myself to start interviews again.
And I hated to say it, but she was the right choice for the position. It was too bad it came with that attitude and kissable mouth. I shook my head and cleared my throat, annoyed at where my thoughts kept drifting.
If the salary and the benefits and the bonus weren’t enough to sway her, I had one more trick up my sleeve. “You sign on as narrative designer today and LockMill Games will purchase and distributeAlterbot.”
Eddie stopped hard, whirling around, her eyes lit up. “Are you joking?”
