“I’m just thankful for this opportunity. So, you’re looking for an assistant?” I adjust the screen to try to hide the wet spot on my blouse.
“I am. I hate to say though, you’ll be more of an office manager as well. We’re starting small. Me, you and a marketing manager, but we’ll have our hands in a lot of business.”
“What is the foundation for?”
“RISE is the name and it stands for Respect, Inspire, Support, Empower. It’s for young girls. My goal is to put programs in place for girls to meet and encourage one another to succeed. To find their own voice and use their own ideas to grow into well rounded women who are true to themselves. I’m probably going to go TMI on you now, but I come from a rich family and I didn’t realize how ridiculous the values I was raised with were until I divorced recently and took a weed wacker to them. My mom taught me to marry well so I didn’t have to work. I was expected to push my own dreams and aspirations aside to boost my husband’s. Can you even believe it?”
She thumbs through her papers.
“This is our logo.” She holds the piece of paper up to the screen.
“I love the whole thing.”
I do, especially when I think of my own daughter, but I want to make sure this is secure.
“Great. So, Jagger didn’t really give me a time frame for when you’re moving here.” She straightens her back, shifting in her seat and the dog stirs next to her.
Surely, I’m not hired?
“Three weeks. I gave my two weeks here and I need a week to pack everything up.”
“You driving out?”
“No, we’re flying. A moving van will be bringing everything a few days later.” Thanks to Pete who volunteered to fly us first class because he didn’t want me to drive Jade across country with no male to protect us. Insert eyeroll, I know.
“Great. That’s perfect timing. One week to get situated in Chicago and then you can start in a month?”
“Hannah, don’t you want to hear about my qualifications?”
She laughs and the dog jumps into her lap. “No. Jagger vouched for you and that’s enough for me. I’m sure working for him is no picnic.” She pushes the dog off her lap. “Lucy!” she scolds, but the dog keeps jumping, her nail snagging Hannah’s sweater. “This thing cost me more than you did!” She screams watching the thread unravel as Lucy hops off the couch, the string still attached to her.
“Before I disrobe here in front of you, I better go. I’m sure my dog is going to relieve herself in my house if I don’t let her out. Jagger mentioned that you have a daughter? I can’t imagine if a dog is this hard to care for, how a human being must be?” She shakes her head and then all I see is her waist. “I’ll get your number and email from Jagger, but welcome to RISE, Victoria.” Her voice starts fading until all that’s in the camera view is the white couch with Hannah having a stern conversation with her dog about etiquette and manners.
I shut the laptop lid and slide back into the leather office chair wondering if that was all a dream. Did he get me a job on his good word alone?
The door clicks open and he whistles on his way back to his desk.
“Done so soon?” he asks, sitting down in his chair across from me with a cup of coffee from the break room. “Why didn’t you tell me about the break room situation?”
I crinkle my forehead.
“It stinks in there. People actually use the microwave?” You’d think someone just dropped a plate of pig’s feet in front of him from the look on his face.
“Not everyone likes to eat out for lunch,” I say.
“Did you know?” He leans forward. “People use actual mugs.”
“Shame on them for caring about the environment.”
“Anyway, how did it go?” he asks, changing the subject because he just mentally scratched off the break room from a place he’ll visit again.
“She hired me,” I mumble, still lost in a daze.
“Now will you say thank you, Jagger?” He leans back in his chair, his hands steepled with an arrogant smile in place.
“Thank you, Jagger,” I say. “She hired me without knowing anything about me.”
He shrugs. “I told her everything she needed to know.”
“That’s scary.”
“Relax, Victoria. I know I give you a lot of shit, but you’re a…good worker.”
“Why?” I ask, standing up from the chair so I can continue my day.
“Why what?” He lifts the top of his laptop.
“Why did you do that for me? You’re mad that I’m leaving.”
He shakes his head. “I thought we got each other.” He types in his password and then his gaze fixes back on me. “I’m selfish sure, but I understand why you’re going back to Chicago. I probably wouldn’t do it for my own mom given our relationship but look what I did for Marisol. I understand needing to be there for someone. But you have to promise not to tell anyone because I will deny it. You’re a good person and I wanted to make your life a little easier.”
I can’t help the warm feeling invading my chest. “Is it too much if I give you a hug?”
He glances back at the computer screen, obviously uncomfortable with my appreciation. “Quinn is the jealous type. You wouldn’t want to show up to work on your first day with a black eye, would you?” His gaze stays fixed on the screen in front of him.
“Again, thank you, Jagger. I’m not sure that’s even enough.”
“Hannah’s going to be light on you. Don’t slack on the job. I’ll be checking in.” Without ever looking away from his computer, he continues his day as I stare down at the man I once loathed as a boss.
Sometimes the most beautiful people come with a few sharp edges.
Chapter Four
“My girls!” my mom swings her front door open and holds out both of her hands.
Jade runs to her while trying to secure her backpack on.
“Don’t worry, I got it all!” I yell ahead, but they’re lost in each other’s arms already.
I watch them embrace. My mom hasn’t seen Jade nearly as much as she wanted to over the years.
Then I realize my legs are circled by suitcases.
“Thanks.” I turn to the taxi driver and hand him the money.
“Jade come roll yours,” I call, and she holds up her finger to my mom and runs back down the walkway.
“Everything’s so dark here,” she whispers when she reaches me. “Where’s the sun?”
I chuckle, grabbing two suitcases. “You’ll see it in May.”
“But it’s April next week.”
“I’m kidding, Jade. It’s dreary today that’s all.” I nod toward my mom. “Go to Grandma.”
Jade walks up the path while I take in the neighborhood I grew up in. The street is the same. A few of the older multi-family homes on the block have been torn down and high priced single family homes with brick exteriors and black rod iron fences erected in their place.
“I know what you’re going to say. And you’re right. Pretentious, but they’re good neighbors,” my mom says as I reach her.