I start to glare right at Karli but manage to stop myself.
“There’s a unique opportunity coming up, that I think would be good for you and Karli.”
Wait, what?
Now, it’s her who shifts a little in her seat, and I simultaneously feel bad for concocting that HR conspiracy theory out of thin air.
At least you’re not getting called into HR. Still, what the fuck?
He looks around the room, then his eyes do that evil dictator stare of his. “This stays in this room. It is not public information.”
Karli and I both nod.
“Jerry Knox is launching a new company with Brian Hedgeman. This is a hundred percent classified here at the firm, nobody talks to anybody about it. That’s how the clients want it. That’s all I can say right now. We’re being tasked with the corporate entity organization, tax filings, and as PR consultants. It’s a great opportunity to get experience, and work on a large project.”
Interesting. This really is a giant fucking project. The secrecy makes sense too. Knox and Hedgeman probably want to coordinate a strategy for maximum media exposure.
“Sounds like a giant opportunity for the firm.”
“I want Karli to get a chance to work on this, but you’re going to be running point on day-to-day overall aspects, Matthew. So, we’re going to have to make some adjustments, and I apologize for the abruptness of them.”
Meanwhile, Karli’s nodding her head the whole time. “This sounds incredible, thank you.”
Of course she’s excited. Jerry Knox is a cultural filmmaking icon. Whatever they’re producing under this company will be global, billion-dollar blockbuster-type franchises.
“Good.” Decker stands up, like the conversation is over.
“What kind of adjustments?” I ask.
On his way back to his desk, without turning around, he says, “Karli will be interning under Blake now, to free you up for higher-level priorities on the project.”
“Thompson?” I stare at Decker. I shouldn’t have said his last name that way.
“Is there another Blake in the corporate finance department?” He seems to be genuinely asking, even though he runs the place.
I have to bite my tongue. Is he really taking away my fucking intern? And handing her over to a piece of shit, sleazy asshole like Blake Thompson? That guy’s a fucking joke. I already did all the goddamn work today, getting her set up, showing her around.
Who am I kidding? If this was any other intern, I’d be happy to pawn them off on someone else. It’s grunt work. This new project is the kind of thing that gets you a partnership if you do a good job, and I need to focus on it. Not to mention, I usually hate people following me around, asking stupid questions, always needing shit.
Karli’s different, though. I swear to God, I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about her, even though I’m pretty sure she hates my guts. I think part of it is an act too. I think she feels this tension between us just as much as I do—and she loves it.
I swallow my pride, if anything to set a good example in front of Karli on how to behave when superiors tell you things, even if it’s what you don’t want to hear. “I’ll introduce her in the morning.”
Decker’s already pounding away at his keyboard again and just waves us away. We both stand up at the same time and walk out of his office.
Every step I take, the madder I get. Why wouldn’t they fucking talk to me before they did this shit? Maybe ask my opinion?
Because you’re not a partner.
I don’t know what’s pissing me off more. The fact I keep seeing Blake’s smug face everywhere I look, or the fact Karli looks relieved she won’t have to work with me anymore. If she only fucking knew what’s in store for her now.
I might not be the kindest man in the world, but I at least have standards and boundaries I won’t cross. Blake will literally fuck anything that moves, and actively tries to.
The thought of him pulling that shit with Karli makes me clench my fists at my sides, and I realize I’ve just been standing out here in the bullpen, getting madder and madder.
“So, what do we do next?” Karli smiles, like the weight of the world is off her shoulders and she just hit the lottery.
“That’s everything. I’ll walk you down, and tomorrow morning I’ll introduce you to your new mentor.” I’m not saying that fucker’s name out loud. Fuck that.
“It’s okay, I can make my way down just fine.” She grabs her bag and starts for the elevator.
I power-walk over to catch up to her.
When she sees me, her eyes narrow. “I’m good, really.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, I’m going the same way.”
Her glare smacks me in the side of the face again once we’re both on the elevator. I’m really beginning to enjoy it. It sucks I won’t be able to do this every day now.
“Sure you are.”
I step in front of her, right up in her personal space. “Keep running that mouth of yours.”
Her eyes widen and her cheeks flush a little, but I can see her heartbeat racing on the side of her neck. “If you could take a hint, I wouldn’t have to.”
I can’t believe I’m even entertaining the thought of arguing with an intern, let alone actually doing it. Yet, here we are.
The elevator opens to the ground floor, and I move to let Karli out, then follow her. My eyes shift around the hall heading toward the parking garage. It looks like we’re alone.
“I’m not the asshole you’ve made me out to be in your head.”
It’s like she can’t help herself as she gasps out a ridiculous sarcastic laugh before she turns around. “You don’t know what goes on in my brain. So don’t even try to pretend you have a clue.”
I take a step toward her. “I know you think you dodged a bullet, now that I’m not in charge of you.” Another step. “I know you think you hate me.” Another step, so we’re toe-to-toe. “But you know what?” I lean down next to her ear. “I think you like me, and that’s what eats at you more than anything.”
Her head’s already shaking before I lean back up, and she has a smirk on her face. “You’re so full of it.”
I shrug. “I’m not the villain. You’ll meet him tomorrow morning, trust me.”
For the first time today, I think she looks surprised. Her eyes widen. “What?”
“Be careful what you wish for.”
Now, she actually looks a little worried. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sure she can handle herself with Blake. I just… something inside me doesn’t even want her in that situation.
I hold out a hand. “Look, we’re both off work. Let’s go get a drink. A mulligan on this morning, get to know each other.”
She shuffles around on her feet and does this adorable little head shake while she blinks a few times. “Are you seriously asking me out on a date right now? After everything that’s happened? On the first day of my job, when you’re my boss?”
“I’m not your boss anymore. Thought you were happy about that.”
She cracks a grin for a microsecond, then it disappears. “I don’t think…”
“Well, would you look at that.” I smile from ear to ear.