“I can see how your private, confidential life might get in the way. Wives don’t like secrets.”
There’s a lot of things a wife wouldn’t like about me.Roger didn’t consider himself a total asshole, but close enough. A relationship took compromise, and that wasn’t something he did very well. Yet he was doing just that with Gia. Was it really compromise or was he just helping someone in need? There were other ways to accomplish that. Hell, he could’ve given her money to hold her over until she found a job. None of this was his issue nor his concern. So why not just drop her ass off and drive away?
Maybe it was because she didn’t swoon over his car. Hell, he’d bet if it’d been any other woman he’d splashed and offered money or a ride, they’d have taken him up on one if not both of them. But Gia hadn’t. She wanted to make it on her own by her terms, even though she might be getting in her own way. He respected that. And offering her this so called job was his way of doing it with her feeling in control.
“Then I guess we are in agreement that single is the right status for me.”
“I’d need to know you better to make that assumption,” Gia said then quickly added, “But then again, I’d like to keep this strictly professional, if you don’t mind.”
“Does that mean you’re taking this job?”
Gia nodded. “I guess so. When would you like to start?”
Today was a loss as far as getting her onboard. “How does tomorrow morning sound?”
“I’ll be ready. Where do you want me to meet you?”
“Why don’t I pick you up?” Roger asked.
Gia finished her pizza before asking, “Do you pick up all your employees?” Roger grinned and shook his head. “Then there’s no reason to make me the exception.” She wrote her number on a piece of paper and handed it to him. “Just text me the time and location, and I’ll meet you there.”
Damn, you’re stubborn.Roger hoped that was something he could use in his favor. Brice said he couldn’t be in contact with the family, and he wouldn’t. Gia will.
Roger slipped the number into his pocket and said, “At least let me give you a ride home.”
Thankfully she agreed, because he wasn’t going to let her hop a bus at this late hour. Then again, he hadn’t realized she lived so close to the pizza parlor. Maybe that was why she had picked that place. If shit went bad and she wanted out, she didn’t have far to go.
Good. Keep your wits about you and you’ll go far. It’s ruthless in the business world, and those sharks are waiting to eat you up.He knew too damn well from experience just how far some people were willing to go to get what they wanted. When he worked for the DEA, there were rules to engage with those assholes. But now he worked for himself, and the only rules were the ones he set.
Rule one. Remember, you’re only helping her until she finds work. Hands off.