Page 49 of His to Love
My father had set this up for me, and as uncertain as I was about using my real name, being an assistant at the best event planning agency would open a multitude of doors for me. It would be foolish to pass up this opportunity simply due to pride.
I blew out a breath and reached for the gold handle on the glass door, gathering confidence as I pulled it open and entered. The main receptionist area was eerily silent, and the slight creaking of the door and my footsteps on padded carpet were the only noise as I entered. I barely had time to gather my breath before a flurry of blond hair hustled down the hallway. She stopped as soon as she saw me, hovering by the empty receptionist desk, and I instantly recognized Simone. She had planned a variety of my family’s events when I was younger, and I was always impressed with her beauty and professionalism.
She quickly adjusted her hot pink eyeglasses on her slender nose and walked directly toward me.
“You’re hired,” she stated, in a no-nonsense fashion as soon as she reached me. “Follow me. I already have your computer up and running, but I’ll need to teach you how to log in. I’ll also need to show you how to sync our calendars together and the protocol for answering phones—”
“Excuse me?” I asked, aware that I was following her despite my shock.
She paused, spun around, and I got a quick peek of red-painted soles on her shoes before I even recognized the designer pantsuit she wore. Simone Pillar was gorgeous. As a child she amazed me. As an adult, she intimidated me.
“You are Gabriella Galecki, correct?”
“I am.” I paused and held out my résumé. “My father said—”
“I know your father.” She turned around and continued walking. With a quick wave of her hand, she beckoned me to follow.
“He told me you’d be stopping by. I hope you can do basic office work. My assistant’s water broke in the middle of the night, two weeks earlier than her due date, and I currently have everyone in the office trying to handle her current tasks. I’ve been looking to hire someone because Monica had been preparing to quit her job once her baby was born. We just thought we had more time. Your appearance here this morning is fortuitous.”
She stopped at a cubicle with walls that were just over waist high. Past the cubicle, I saw an office that I assumed was hers. Tables were cluttered with floral arrangements of various sizes. Fabric swatches covered a cream leather couch. “DPA” was stamped on the wall just behind the cubicle where she placed her hand.
“Ms. Pillar—,” I started before she interrupted me.
“Do you want the job?” Her eyes narrowed and I saw small flecks of brown in bright green eyes. “Your father told me you were looking.”
“Yes.” I nodded. “I do…and I am. I’m just, surprised I guess.”
She shrugged once and reached out, snapping the résumé from my hand. “Consider yourself my temporary employee. If you survive the first two weeks, we’ll discuss full employment. I’ll have my human resources administrator stop by in a few minutes to go over pay.” She waved her hand dismissively, as if I couldn’t care less about money.
She was not entirely wrong, except…
“I’d like to earn this job on merit,” I said.
She eyed me speculatively, but I refused to fidget. I knew exactly what she saw. I was dressed in clothing that rivaled hers in brand and price, as I’d emptied most of my savings in order to purchase a professional wardrobe. My hair was just as immaculate and we were almost equally wealthy. Hers earned, mine given…but in that moment, it didn’t matter to her.
“I promised your father a favor for all of his business over the years, and I do not generally do favors for people, despite how much I like them or how well I know them. You will not keep this job based on your name, so I’m willing to offer you the opportunity to earn permanent placement.”
Even though I was effectively chastised, relief coursed through me. She was brutally honest, and I respected that. “Understood.”
“Good. Then set your stuff down. I realize you weren’t planning on working today, but with your family’s benefit coming up next week and Monica going into labor early, I’m behind. I need you as quickly as you can be ready.”
I set my purse on the top of the desk and smiled. “I’m ready.”
Her lips twitched at the edges. The first hint of a smile on her hard features. “Good. Then let’s get to work.”
—
I worked all morning and through a rushed lunch break. Simone, along with the main receptionist, spent all morning explaining to me what had already been planned, what still needed to be finalized, and where her files were so I could contact the various vendors as well as ensure the RSVPs had all arrived.
I hadn’t felt this energized since I had chased chickens on a farm.
Pulling out my phone to check for any messages, I smiled when I saw a text from Tyson.
Blackbird: Thinking of you. See you tonight?
It was sent two hours ago. He’d spent most of the weekend working hard at his grandfather’s office, preparing some new case he had to deal with, and getting adjusted to his new job, too.
We hadn’t seen each other since I left his house Thursday morning.
