“Plus, Alicia has the fastest fingers in New York.” Reid laughs. “I doubt you could match her keyboarding skills.”
“I’m sure I couldn’t, since I haven’t touched a keyboard in ten years.”
“How would you feel about supervising?”
“I…don’t know. I’ve been…supervised for the last ten years.”
“Katelyn”—Reid’s countenance gets very serious—“the last ten years don’t matter here. Okay? You need to believe that. They are not your fault, and they have no bearing on your qualifications for this job.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Wolfe, but they do. I can’t help saying that. I don’t have the first clue how to be anyone’s assistant. Let alone executive assistant to the COO of a major enterprise. I would love to work here. Truly. But let me start at the bottom and prove myself first.”
Alice smiles. “I have to say, Katelyn, I already like you a lot.”
“If that’s what you prefer,” Reid says, “but Zee really wants you working here in the office with me. She feels you’re a perfect candidate, and I think she may be right.”
“With all due respect, why?”
“Because you’re an intelligent young woman. You’re strong, and you learn quickly. You’re dependable. You completed every task asked of you at the retreat center without complaint.”
“Didn’t everyone?”
Reid lets out a chuckle. “No. Everyone did not. Some of the women fought it every step of the way. That’s not their fault. They just had more trouble getting past what happened to them, which is certainly understandable. But you… You were different. You, Lily, Aspen, and Kelly are the only women so far who have left the retreat center.”
“Why not ask one of them to take this position?”
“Because Zee asked me to consider you first.”
“So because I’m friends with your wife…”
“Yup.” He smiles. “A little nepotism never hurt anyone. Plus, I happen to agree with Zee on this, and Alicia and I have spoken about it as well.”
“We have,” Alicia says. “I believe you can do this job, Ms. Brooks.”
“Katelyn, please.”
Alicia smiles. “Of course. Katelyn.”
“Let’s do this,” Reid says. “Let’s put you to work on a trial basis for two weeks. If you feel you can’t handle the responsibilities of the position, you can walk away after two weeks. At the same time, if I’m not satisfied with your work, I can let you go after two weeks. Does that sound fair?”
I swallow, will my head to nod. “All right. I hope I’m worthy of your confidence in me.”
“I think you are,” he says, “but if you’re not, I’ll tell you. I’m nothing if not honest. Of course, I’ll then have to deal with a new mother at home.” He smiles.
“I really don’t want—”
He holds up his hand. “I’m kidding, Katelyn. Zee wants me to have the best help possible. She thinks that’s you. It may well be, but it may not be. The only way we’ll know for sure is to try. Right?”
I nod. It’s easier this time. “Right.”
“Great. I’ll expect you first thing Monday morning at eight o’clock. Alicia will take you down to HR now to get all your paperwork completed.” He stands and holds out his hand. “Welcome to the team.”
I rise as well and take his outstretched hand with my own clammy one. “Thank you. For everything.”
Alicia rises as well. “Come with me. I’ll show you to HR.”
I smile at her and follow.
And hope like hell I haven’t bitten off way more than I can chew.
38
Luke
Friday nights are busy at The Glass House, and I’m grateful for the distraction. I got here early, and Lois put me straight to work getting both dining rooms ready. Not usually my job, but I don’t care. Anything to keep from thinking about who I used to be.
And what it’s costing me.
Katelyn.
I can’t have Katelyn.
No relationships for me. I’m reduced to casual hookups. No falling in love. I can’t risk it.
Despite having never waited tables—hell, I never had to work if I didn’t want to—I’m good at this. Great, actually. All those years of keeping numbers in my head have paid off. Tonight I forgot to stick a pad in my apron pocket, and I memorized all the orders from my first round of tables. I got them all perfect.
So now I’m one of those waiters who doesn’t carry a pad. Feels pretty good, actually, though the crap is still lurking in the back of my mind.
Me. My old life. What it’s costing me now.
Katelyn.
I look toward one of my tables that has just been seated—
My heart jumps.
Katelyn sits at the two-top with another woman I don’t recognize. I’m good with faces, but I don’t think she’s been in here before. The Glass House is hard to get into, so they must have had this reservation in advance.
I could trade tables with Travis.
Good idea.
I grab him as he whisks by. “Hey, I need to trade a table with you. Number sixty-seven.”