I raise my hand. “Don’t say it.”
“Right. Still sensitive, I see.” He places the pencil on the table and leans back. “Look, TJ. If you actually have to think hard to come up with reasons not to hire her, then that means she’s a good fit. You’re just holding yourself back.”
“It’s not as easy as you think it is,” I say, biting my lip in annoyance with myself.
“That’s your opinion. I think you should take a leap of faith every now and again. She seemed desperate to work here. Willing to do anything.”
I sigh out loud and push back my chair as I get up. “All right, all right … I’ll hire her.”
A smile appears on his face. “Good for you.”
“Really?” This guy … sometimes I really wanna fire him for being so obnoxious, but I also know I can’t do without him. Besides, what’s Morrows without Beau? He’s part of the heart of the company, and I’m part of the brains. Or at least, that’s what I’m supposed to be.
“I’m glad you changed your mind. Maybe it will do the company good. You never know.”
“Or I’ll ruin it forever,” I say, laughing a little, but it dies out pretty quickly.
“Well, I gotta get back to that new design I was working on. Will you come check it out when you’ve got some free time?”
“Sure,” I say, throwing up my stress ball.
He nods and, before leaving the room, says in the most annoying voice he can muster, “Bye, TJ!”
I groan and rub my forehead. Guess there was no way around it.
I knew saying no to her would be tough, but I never imagined it would be this hard.
I didn’t want to either even though she probably thinks I did. Seeing her face the moment she realized I said no broke me a little. I wanted nothing more than to give her what she wanted. After all, she gave me her damn panties, so I should return the favor, right?
Except if anyone found out I bought her panties, I’d be ruined.
No, worse, the company would be buried under the scandal.
And now, despite saying no to her face, I promised Beau I’d hire her.
Oh, boy. What have I gotten myself into now?
* * *
Lesley
I’m busy selling my panties to a new customer when an email pings in my inbox from TJ Morrows himself. Frowning, I open it and read it.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Application – Internship
Hello Lesley,
I hope you’re doing well. I have to apologize for my rash decision yesterday. I don’t know what came over me, and I regret the decision of not hiring you. I wanted to let you know we’d still love to have you if you’ll accept the offer. I think you’ll be a great asset to the company.
I’ve attached the contract and payment details. If you accept, please sign them, and I’ll see you as soon as you can come to my office. Make sure to bring the contract.
Best regards,
TJ Morrows
My jaw slowly drops. “Motherfucker.”
One day.
One fucking day passed, and he already reverses his decision.
I slam the laptop shut, fuming. Did that fucker really just dismiss me and then just invite me back in like he never said no in the first place? Who does he think he is?
Still, I can’t help myself from opening the laptop again and peeking at the contract and payment details. Holy shit. The amount of money has got my attention.
But why did he wait this long?
And why make a U-turn?
Someone must have changed his mind. That, or he finally wised up.
I know I didn’t exactly show a lot of interest in his company’s history and what they do, but I know I can be an asset. He just had to give me a chance, which he didn’t … but now does? I’m so confused.
He must have turned me away for a reason, and I wanna know why before I say yes to something.
So I print out the contract and sign it, ready to tackle this new job.
Chapter 4
Lesley
The moment Gillian sees me walk up to her desk, she starts to protest, standing up from her chair like she’s got something to say about me being here.
“I’ve signed the contract,” I say, showing it to her.
Right before she snatches it, I pull back and tuck it in my bag. I’m not letting her get her greedy hands on it. Before you know it, she’ll have shredded the papers. No way will I let that happen after all the effort I put into landing this job.
“He hired you?”
“That’s a surprise?” I muse, raising a brow.
“No … but he sent you away.”
“And then he sent me the contract by email,” I reply. “I just wanted you to tell him that I’m here. You know, so I don’t have to barge into his office again.” I give her my familiar bitchy smile, which makes her squint.