I clear my throat. “Now that you’re here, we probably should go over the rules.”
“The rules?” She mouths.
I nod.
I sigh and run my hand over my short beard. My manscaping is minimal, but I’m glad I shaved a few days ago. Not that I care if she thinks I’m some grumpy mountain man. Let her think that.
“I think you’re gonna fit in just fine.”
CHAPTER 10
Sadie
Rules?
Oh, boy. When they said Zane Lawless was a grump, they weren’t kidding. He is, however, a pretty good listener. His obvious good looks aside, he has no sense of humor, but I did just blurt out my life story.
To be honest, I had no clue my little sister hired you.Normally, we like to make sure we like the person we’re hiring.
Wow, talk about taking a bullet. He kind of did redeem himself with the tissue, but what the hell was I thinking?
My bosses were a bunch of morons who couldn’t be bothered noticing anything I did in their pea-sized brains.Oh, lord, that was a new low point. I even mentioned my ex!
I steel myself. I’m made of tough stuff. After all, I’m a New Yorker. I survived the subway for years. Obnoxious, smug, cheating boyfriends. Roommates who steal. Unappreciative bosses who fired me for no good reason, just to cut costs. Not to mention it took me several years to find a barista who couldmake my coffee the way I like it. What are the chances I’m going to find my feet here?
I swallow hard, hoping to change the subject because I’m not sure I’m ready for Zane’s rules. “I met your mom out front when I was parking,” I say out of the blue. “She’s the one who fitted me out with the sweater.” I pull the cute knit from the hem, looking down at the logo. I thought it was a really nice gesture. Sylvia was very welcoming and seemed relieved to see me. I even met Zane’s grandma, Josephine, on the way in, who was just as lovely. I love everything about Christmas, so being able to wear a cute sweater to work is a nice change from corporate wear.
Despite all this, I still feel freaking awkward.
He palms the back of his neck as I shift in my seat, resting my bag back in my lap. “I guess there’s no point in asking you why you’d like the job then?” He finally speaks.
Right. Because now he knows I was fired, and I think my previous employers were morons.
I laugh nervously and blink too rapidly, all in a bid to try and not blow it. I need this job. The cash is much needed for the holidays so I can get back to New York, and more importantly, back to my life.
Lord, he’s a hulk of a man. He’s even better looking than in that photo on the website. Zane Lawless is all brawn, big shoulders, towering over me, with arms like tree trunks and a face like some kind of mountain man Adonis.
It has equal shares of handsome and brute combined, as well as the not-so-subtle scent of his cologne, which hovers between pine and some kind of spice I can’t place.
Maybe it’s the crinkly look etched into his features; his smile bordering on a half-frown, or his piercing blue eyes that give away nothing.
What I am sure of is that I haven’t answered his question and I’m stuck in limbo while I try to collect myself. Was it a question?
Oh, right… Why I want this job…
Keep it together, Sadie.
“Well, I love the outdoors.” It’s my attempt at a joke, but then I forgot for a second Zane has no sense of humor.
He stares at me over the desk, arms crossed over his broad chest, unmoving lips. No smile. It’s sending me into a nervous tailspin. I’m starting to feel that this was a very big mistake.
“I mean, if someone had asked me what my dream job was two weeks ago, I would’ve definitely not said working for a Christmas tree farm in the middle of Wyoming.”
Oh my God, I am going to hell.
That gets me an eyebrow raise. “Cute.”
I do not add that I don’t plan on staying here. I think I’ve shocked Zane enough with my antics this morning. “I also love Christmas.”
