Undeniably His(8)
“I told you. He likes that I have no experience.”
“Oh, my God, Belle. Are you serious? You cannot be this naive.”
My eyes fall to my hands, and I take a deep breath. Part of me knows she is right. “He said we would be working closely together. I asked him, point blank, if this was a proposition.”
“You what? Lia snorts.
“I did,” I insist while lifting my hands to my shoulders. “I asked him right over dinner. I mean, that’s an insane amount of money!” I pause and turn my head to Lia. “I’m not as naive as you think I am.”
“Okay,” she says, smiling at me, patting my hand. “What’d he say?”
“He said he does like me, and that he does find me attractive, but he only mentioned it because I asked.” My eyes dart to Lia to examine her expression. “It’s not why he hired me.” I give Lia a defensive glance. “He said he found me inspiring.”
“Inspiring?”
“That’s what he said.”
“Inspiring to his libido. Just be careful, Belle.”
I twist my mouth and stare at my hands again. “Even if he is attracted to me, is that really so bad?”
“Not if he doesn’t use you and toss you aside, and make an offer just to get into your skirt.”
“He built one of the top advertising firms in the world, Lia. He knows what he’s doing.”
“It’s not him I’m worried about.” She gives me a soft smile. “So are you going to do it?”
“I don’t see how I could not do it. If I don’t like it, I can always just walk away.”
Lia gives me a hug. “I’m happy for you, Belle. Just be careful.”
“Okay, mom.” I tease into her ear.
The next morning I dial the number to Mr. Davis’s cell and take a deep breath.
“Kalin Davis.”
“Mr. Davis, this is Annabelle Ried.”
“Miss Ried, what a pleasant surprise. Have you made a decision?”
“Yes. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and I would like to accept the offer.”
“I am delighted to hear that. My secretary will draw up the official employment contract for you to sign. You can stop by any time this week to pick up the contract.”
“Thank you, Mr. Davis.”
“Just make sure to read and sign it by the end of the week. How soon can you start, Miss Ried?”
“I can start anytime, sir.”
“Splendid. We can set a date in the contract, and give you a few days’ rest before your training begins.”
“I am so excited, Mr. Davis.”
“You have reason to be excited. This is a rare opportunity.”
“Thank you.”
“We will talk soon, Miss Ried.”
I turn to place the cordless phone back into its charger, and Lia is standing there with her arms crossed. Her lips twist into a smile.
“Stop looking at me like that, Lia.”
“I didn’t say anything,” she mutters in an innocent tone.
“I have to pick up the contract this week. You won’t be looking at me like that when I pay the rent and have some extra cash to take us out to dinner.”
“Dinner? You should be throwing us a party with the wad of cash you’ll be flashing around.”
“Yeah, well, let’s not spend all the money before we even get it. Besides, Mr. Davis wants to show me the ins and outs of the business. What would it look like if I started spending money like crazy?”
Lia taps her fingers on her arm, which is folded across her chest. “You’d probably fit right in. Don’t forget about us little people when you’re on the cover of the Wall Street Journal.”
I curve my mouth up at her. “Please. Lia, you saved my ass more than one time. If things go well, I could even help pay for some of your nursing school.”
“Belle, I was joking. You don’t have to do that.”
“How many times have you paid my portion of the rent when I didn’t have the money?”
“I don’t know. I wasn’t counting.” She smiles at me.
“Exactly. So don’t start counting now. Consider it payback.”
Lia shakes her head. “Let’s just see where this goes first before we start making too many promises.”
I exhale a small sigh. “You’re right. I just want you to know I won’t ever forget what you’ve done for me. You’re my best friend. I would do anything for you.”
“I know. Me too,” she says, while pulling me into a hug.
An email message from TALVIS Advertising confirms my appointment to review and sign my employment contract at two o’clock next Wednesday. I purchase some new clothes on my credit card, unconcerned about the four-thousand-dollar balance I’ve accumulated over the past several months just to survive. Come payday, it will be gone anyway.