Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 154890 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154890 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
“I misspoke.” I move the linen napkin a little to the left. “I meant to say I was surprised to find you in the country.” Then because it’s going to be one of those days, I order a stiff drink. My companions decide to stick to water.
“Weird.” Mimi glances at my mother as though in confirmation. “Polly said she’d told you I was here.”
“Yes, I did,” she agrees happily. “I said Mimi was looking for a position, remember?”
The positions I’d like to give Mimi are wide and varied.
Fuck, I don’t appreciate being tag teamed. Not in this manner, anyway. It’s so heartening to hear they’ve been bonding.
“Today wasn’t even my first trip into the office,” Mimi adds. “You were in Brussels when I came for the interview.” She stumbles a little over her words. Nervousness or remembering?
“Was it a thorough interview?” Come on, what’s with the tone? No wonder she’s looking at you like a bunny in headlights. But then she smiles like she thinks she knows where I’m going with this—like she’s hit her stride or something.
“Honestly, I’ve had better interviews.”
“Oh?” I lean back in my chair, spreading my legs to accommodate what’s coming next.
“I once had an interview with a typing test.”
“And you preferred that?”
She tilts her head as though considering the question. “Maybe there was something about the levels of manual dexterity.”
“Typing tests? How old-school.” Poll scoffs. “You know, years ago, I had an interview for an office job where the boss tried to squeeze my bum and see up my skirt.”
Thanks to a sudden, spluttering cough, I cup my hand to my mouth.
“Are you all right, darling?” Poll’s tone turns concerned.
“Fine.” With my free hand, I make a motion that Mimi should go on. Just ignore me, I’ll just die quietly over here. Then I won’t need to worry about what comes out of Mimi’s mouth next..
“You were telling us about your interview.” So much for a mother’s concern as her attention turns back.
“Oh, yes. Whit was in Paris, I think, when I spent the day with Jody. She showed me the ropes.”
Read: we haven’t been keeping this from you. It’s just one big cosmic coincidence.
Utter bullshit.
Also ropes: they really aren’t my style. They’re a little too prescribed for my tastes.
“I’ll admit, Jody is a little scary.”
I perk up. “Maybe that means you’re not suited for the role.”
“Really?” Mimi tilts her head to the side in a questioning manner. “What makes you say that?”
“If you can’t handle Jody,” I reply kindly.
“Oh, I think you’ll find I can handle a lot of things.”
Like my balls? my brain unhelpfully inquires.
“No offense, Mimi”—and only for the sake of my mother’s involvement—“but Jody’s been in the role a long time. I’m not sure you’re ready to step into her shoes.”
“Thank God! The poor woman has been reduced to wearing Crocs.” She glances my mother’s way with another adorable nose scrunch.
“Swollen feet are the least of her worries,” Mum replies.
I hold up my hand. “Cutting that conversation off before it starts.” No pregnancy war stories today, thank you very much. “I just don’t think it’s going to work.”
Hands out, Mimi gives an expansive shrug. “Too bad. I guess no one told you I already signed the contract.”
“You know, I think I’ve changed my mind.” Polly interjects. “I will have something to drink.” It doesn’t smooth over the fact that I’ve been well and truly played. “We’re celebrating,” she tells Stefano, “not hardened day drinkers.”
“Was Jody in on this?” I ask, pitching my voice low. Polly, I can understand, but what’s Jody’s game? She knows I’ll do whatever I can to get her back into the office as soon as possible—I’ve even offered to open a creche in the building!
“You mean, was Jody in on hiring the right person for the job?” Mimi blinks innocently. It must be for my mother’s benefit because I’ve already seen the other side of her. The sultry side, languid lips, and come-fuck-me eyes. “I heard I was, like, the eighth person to be interviewed and fourth to spend the day in the office with her.”
“She’s very thorough,” Polly says with an enthusiastic nod.
“Or she’s angling for a colossal raise when she gets back,” I mutter unhappily.
“This isn’t my first rodeo, Whit. I’ve been out of college a couple of years now—” I snort dismissively though she ignores me. “I majored in business in college and was an executive assistant to the CEO of Blankman and Reid.”
“Oh, Blankman and Reid?” I almost throw up my hands in fake amazement.
“I didn’t know you were into amateur dramatics.” She does that thing again where she tilts her head to the side like a curious terrier. “I bet you just love being cast as the villain.”
“I’m sorry. I must’ve just forgotten who those titans of industry are.”
“I know you haven’t heard of them. Why would you? They’re a midsized architectural company based in Tampa.”