I like her bravery. Hell, I remember being like her at one time. Going after my dreams, working my way up at crappy jobs until I had my dream job in San Diego, being the head of the HR department. To working now at Bennett, Inc. “Do you know that Bennett, Inc. has grants for employees to attend nighttime college courses for further training?”
“Yes,” she replies. “It’s one of the reasons I applied.”
“That’s great.” I smile. She’s got initiative, too. “All right, so before your internship at Holt, you worked for a lawyer, is that right?” I ask.
“Just part-time,” she explains with a nod. “But I answered phones, maintained the lawyer’s schedule, and things like that.”
I stop reading her resume at her references, then look at her. She’s got experience. Not much, I concede, but enough that with a little training I’m sure she’ll do great. “One last question,” I ask her. “Do you read the tabloids?”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Like the grocery-store magazines?”
“Yep, exactly, those. Do you read them?”
She shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable by my question. “Um, no, should I?”
“Absolutely not.” I smile, rise from my seat, and offer my hand. “Congratulations, you got the job.”
“Really?” She’s all smiles when she jumps to her feet, shaking my hand across my desk.
“Really.” I grin back. “I think you’ll do great here, and yes, use the grants program to further your education. There’s a lot of room here to move into other departments. Sky’s the limit.”
Plus, she’s the fifth person I’ve interviewed for the job. Two were underqualified. One was overqualified and we couldn’t pay her what she deserved. And the other was Sally Higgins.
“Of course,” I add, “I’ll have to call your references. But I’m sure that will all go fine.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” Hannah says, eyes excited.
“I’ll be in touch once I have your first day set up,” I tell her.
“Thank you. Thank you.” She offers her hand again, and I shake it as she adds once more, “Thanks so much.”
“You’re very welcome,” I say, feeling good about it, too. This is the part of my job that I love.
She gives me a quick wave before she leaves my office.
Feeling pretty damn happy myself, I return to my seat. Maybe I am a pro like Malcolm said. I realize that I am in the right job, doing exactly what I should be doing. And after all I’ve been through, that realization feels so damn good that I can’t help but smile.
All lit up inside, I want to share it with Darius. I reach for the phone and dial his extension. “Hi, Charlotte,” I say when she answers the phone. “Is Darius available?”
“No, I’m afraid not at this time,” she replies. “He’s in a meeting with his father.”
I freeze in my seat, a sick feeling engulfing me. All the light dancing inside me extinguishes, just that easily. “Oh, okay…” I manage.
“Would you like me to tell him you called?” she asks.
“Um, yes…yes…thank you.” I hang up the phone, feeling cold.
I stare out into the hallway, watching my co-workers striding by my doorway. On one hand, I’m praying that Darius tells his father exactly where to go. On the other hand, the little voice in my heart worries what will happen between us if he doesn’t.
Darius
I move toward my office, seeing my father sitting in the leather wingback in front of my desk, looking all too casual. He’s here for his answer. I feel the tension slide through my muscles as I enter my office.
My father’s head swings in my direction. “Good.” He rises from his seat. “You’re here.”
I’m an hour late arriving to work, but that’s a perk of being the boss. I don’t have to answer for why I spent my morning inside Taylor, instead of getti
ng to work on time.