Page 78 of Matchmaking the CEO

She looked over her shoulder, shrugging. "Well, competition is fierce, especially in popular cities like Boston, so I've widened my search area."

"To where?" I insisted.

"To everywhere."

"And have you heard back?" I was annoyed. Why hadn't she told me this before? Then again, why should she?

"No, not yet. Honestly, it's a long process. I hate that everyone makes you jump through hoops. It just makes everything last far longer than it should. How hard can it be to tell from one single interview if someone is good for the job or not?"

"It is hard," I replied, "and very subjective. For instance, some people interview well, and they're excellent at making a first impression, but when you dig deeper, you realize there's not much to them. You usually need a couple interviews to determine that."

"Oh God, Jake, it was a rhetorical question."

I palmed her ass cheek. "I'll give you rhetorical." Clearing my throat, I added, "I didn't think you'd leave Boston."

She turned her head back to the coffee machine. "What does it matter? You're going back to New York as soon as you turn the company around."

"That's different," I said. "I have no idea how long that’s going to take. You could receive a job offer at any moment."

She turned around, biting her lower lip. "What are you saying, Jake?"

"That I don't like the idea of you leaving."

She smiled. I could tell she was preparing herself to say something sassy, but her eyes lacked the usual spark.

"How about we do things my way?" she asked.

"And that is?"

"Stop worrying about what might happen. That’s a killjoy. We're here now, blissfully naked. We'll soon have our coffee. What could be better than that?"

"I have a few suggestions," I said.

"Lucky me."

The coffee wasn't too strong, so I ended up drinking three. Afterward, we dressed and went into her backyard. She had her iPad with her.

"What were you saying about working weekends?" I asked when I noticed her replying to an email.

"Hey, that's not work. I'm just sending an email confirming the guest list for Jeannie’s party."

I stiffened next to her as we sat down on the swing.

"My half brothers are bringing plus ones?"

She looked up at me, mouth wide. "No. Didn’t they tell you?"

"I'm not in contact with them."

"Oh. When you said you’re not close to them, I didn’t realize you meant that you don't have any contact at all. And yes, all three RSVPed."

"Okay, that's good to know."

She set her iPad next to her. "Do you want to talk about it?" She swung her legs, sending the swing bouncing back and forth.

"There's not much to talk about."

"You went from relaxed to being all stiff and frowning, so it clearly weighs on you."

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