Page 4 of Trouble for Hire
He shrugged. “A little. And I have Google just like everyone else. I know who you’ve been engaged to for the last few years.”
“Well then, let me clear up some misconceptions. My ex might’ve held certain beliefs regarding who should marry who, what autonomy women should have over their bodies and the freedoms certain people enjoyed, but that wasn’t and isn’t me.”
“You stood by him and would’ve married him. That’s pretty much cosigning those beliefs in my book.”
Shame churned in her belly.
“I agree,” she murmured. “You’re right.”
And she left it at that. She couldn’t tell him that she’d been so in love, so desperate tobeloved, to have a family, a fucking man, that she’d lost her values,herself. Her silence had made her complicit, and she hated herself for that.
Hated herself more that she hadn’t been the one to break off the relationship and leave. Brad had. And if he hadn’t? Would she have married him and continued to support a platform she wholly disagreed with while dying a little inside until nothing of herself remained?
God, she was afraid to examine that question. More specifically, that answer.
“Yes, I made truly questionable decisions in my not so distant past. But I’m back in Rose Bend to put all that behind me and begin with a fresh start. And that includes a job. Cursing doesn’t bother me, and I listen to Imagine Dragons as well as Josh Groban. I actually own jeans though I prefer my dresses and skirts and can’t see what that has to do with whether or not I can man the front desk. And as long as not being ‘politically correct’ means you still respect me and everyone who walks through that door and it doesn’t cause harm, then I don’t care. Speak your truth. That about covers it. Did I forget anything?”
“Yes, work experience. I received your résumé. You have none for the past five years and before that was a retail position here in Rose Bend at a clothing boutique. I need someone who not just greets customers, but also schedules appointments and takes payments. The person I hire would also be responsible for keeping track of and ordering supplies, upselling other products, and anything else that’s needed from me or the other artists. Selling skirts doesn’t cover that.”
“What that résumé doesn’t show is that I helped organize and supervise many large events, which included ordering supplies, managing staff and ensuring every event was successful and smooth. I also often acted as my ex’s secretary, making sure he didn’t forget an appearance, dinner or fundraiser. And as you pointed out, I was phenomenal at selling the image of a partner standing in solidarity beside her man. So while I didn’t get paid for those duties or have a title other than fiancée, I acted as manager. And I’m sure if I can oversee a gala for two hundred people, I can oversee your tattoo shop.”
By the time she finished speaking, a sting had entered her voice, and she bit off any more words before she totally mucked up her chance of employment. If she hadn’t already.
Erik didn’t speak for several moments, and she tried not to fidget under that direct, too-perceptive stare. It settled on her like a weight—an all too unsettling and delicious weight. She should feel dissected and dismissed. And a part of her did. But another part... Another part wondered what those piercing blue eyes saw.
Because he did see. She knew he did. And that was both intoxicating and terrifying.
Did he perceive her fear that she would mess up this new start back in her hometown? Her insecurity about whether or not she was capable enough, smart enough to make a success of herself? For too long she’d allowed herself to be dependent on someone else. It was humiliating to admit she’d become one of those women who’d let a man take care of her rather than stand on her own two feet.
Never again.
Never again would she degrade herself like that. Never again would she underestimate her worth like that.
Even now, as much as she loved Jeremy, she refused to be dependent on him. Yes, he’d arranged this job interview, but she’d refused his financial help. Instead, she’d pawned her engagement ring and other pieces of jewelry to get enough money to support herself while she figured things out.
But she couldn’t tell Erik Mann that either.
Although an inexplicable part of her wanted to.
And where had that urge come from? Nothing about this man with his face of brutally sharp angles and lush, sensual curves inspired her to confide in him. And yet...
She straightened in her chair, leaning away from him and the sheer animal magnetism he exuded. God, it was like a pheromone.
“Point taken,” Erik conceded. After a heavy pause, he leaned back in his chair as well. “You have the job. My friends list is short and your brother is at the top. And since he’s never asked me for a favor, I figure this one must be important, and I’m not letting him down. But that loyalty only goes as far as the hiring.” His eyes narrowed. “You’re on probation for the next ninety days just like any other employee. You fuck up, you’re gone. No second chances.”
“That’s fair.”
His prejudgment of her, not so much. But this chance? Yes, it was fair. And she’d take full advantage of it. This job meant the difference between self-sufficiency and being a parasite for the rest of her life.
One she longed for like a starving woman crawling out of a wasteland.
And the other... Well, that wasn’t an option. Not anymore.
“When do I start?” she asked, standing.
He rose to his feet, slower, still regarding her as if she were some creature he couldn’t quite fathom.
“Tomorrow. We start scheduling clients at twelve noon. But be here at nine so I can get you set up, go over the point of sale system, show you where the supplies are and other things you’ll need to know. Some things you’ll just have to learn on the job, but if you have any questions or need any help, I or any of the other artists will be here.”
