Page 53 of The Playboy Meets His Match
She hurt and wondered if she had just tossed aside a wonderful future. Was she making an incredible mistake by not saying yes and following her heart and rushing into marriage?
Tears streamed down her cheeks and she wiped at them hastily, not wanting to go to a job interview with clothes wet from tears. She didn’t particularly care about the interview, but Keith Owens had sounded as if he could make her an interesting offer, and he was very complimentary about her skills, even though he was basing his opinion on her getting into Dorian’s files.
When she walked into his office, he stood to offer her his hand. She looked into friendly brown eyes. “I’m glad to meet you again under better circumstances.”
He laughed. “You stirred us all up, but we need that sometimes. Have a seat.” Dressed in dark slacks and a button-down short-sleeved broadcloth shirt, he was casual in appearance and approach. He moved away from his desk, turning a chair to face her and looking relaxed. “Thanks for getting your résumé to me so quickly.”
“My sister sent a copy to me, and it was easy to send one on to you.”
“Your résumé is impressive. But getting into Dorian’s files is even more impressive. We have an opening I think you would be perfect for.”
She listened while he talked, and all through the interview, she kept thinking that if she took the job with Keith Owens’s firm, she would live in Royal and not be separated from Jason.
The longer they talked, the more interested she became.
“Would you like a tour of the place?” he asked, and she nodded, standing when he did.
As they walked through offices, in between introductions and explanations of various departments, he gave her a brief history of his firm. When they finally returned to his office, he faced her.
“Any more questions?”
“I’ve asked you everything that’s come to mind.”
He grinned. “You don’t know what salary I’m offering.”
“Some of the other considerations are more important, and I knew we’d get to salary before I left.”
He named an amount, and she whistled. “That’s a very good salary.”
“That’s to start. In six months we’ll review things and then you may get a raise. I hope you’ll think about working here.”
“I’m interested, and it’s a very attractive offer,” she replied. She stood, offering her hand. “Thanks so much. I’ll be in touch with you soon with my answer.”
“Good, Meredith.”
“Call me Merry. I go by Merry more than Meredith.”
Keith walked to the office door with her and told her goodbye again. As she crossed the shaded parking lot, she mulled over her choices. Stay here and date Jason and see what happened or go back to Dallas and date him on weekends or whenever they could get together. The job sounded worthwhile and the salary was fabulous.
Merry spent the afternoon picking up a few dishes, an air mattress, new sheets and a pillow so she could stay in her apartment until she had decided whether or not to accept Keith Owens’s offer. She went ahead and had a telephone installed so she wouldn’t have to rely completely on her cellular phone.
That night at Claire’s she discussed the offer with Jason. His reaction was what she had expected. He wanted her to take the job.
He took her hand. “You’ve got my head spinning and I can’t think about anything else except you and making love to you. There’s something I was supposed to tell you days ago.”
“Really? What’s that?”
“Rob and I talked about setting a trap for Dorian. After our meeting, Rob talked to me alone and suggested that we could give you a small recorder. We’ll find out when Dorian’s leaving work or going to the Royal Diner and have you casually confront him. It’ll be the two of you, but it will be daylight out in public with people around, and Rob and I will be watching so you won’t be in danger.”
“I’ll do it tomorrow.”
Jason ran his hand across his forehead. “Rob said you wouldn’t be afraid.”
“Why would I be afraid in public with you close at hand? Would you be afraid if you were the one to do it?”
“Hell, no, but that’s different.”
“I don’t know why. You think I’m too weak to take care of myself?” she asked in a haughty voice, and Jason couldn’t bite back a grin as he remembered how she had knocked him flat in the parking lot.
