“This is just for an entry level accounting position, right?” I scrunched my eyebrows together and looked him dead-on, waiting for the punchline of the joke.
“It is and it isn’t.” Max adjusted himself in his seat and sighed, running a hand over his face. “You’ll be Greg’s assistant too. You’ll help with any accounting issues we might have, as well as helping with royalties and offers.”
This was new to me. All I was expecting to do was help with the numbers, not with clients’ money.
“I wasn’t aware.”
“Neither was I until about an hour ago.” I liked that he was honest with me and that I could see the frustration on his face. I wanted to help any way I could. “We just signed on three new clients that I wasn’t expecting and now we need to get at least two more editors and another person in finance, besides you. That is, if you’ll accept the job, even though I know it’s more than you applied for.”
I sat there thinking about all I could have asked for in life and this was way more than I ever dreamed of. I could work here long-term if I started now and did more than expected. I could make a name of myself while using my degree and not have to sit in a stuffy business office where all we talked about were numbers. Here I would be able to do my job, but also work in a world of books that I had never expected to fall into.
“I’ll take it.” I placed the pen in my hand down, finishing the last of the paperwork Max had handed to me.
“Perfect!” Max jumped up from his seat and made his way around to me. I stood and held out my hand, but instead he took me in an embrace. “You have no idea how much we need a girl on this team.”
I thought back to walking in here and all I saw were guys, except the girl at the front desk.
“What about the receptionist?”
“Temporary.”
I balked at him for being so nonchalant about it.
“Sorry.” He laughed. “That’s Delilah, Greg and Jack’s sister. She’s just helping us until we can get someone to fill the position.”
I relaxed, thinking about how everyone in this office knew each other.
“It’s a small business, but it’s one that’s built on friendship and family.”
I looked up at Max as he exited his office and I followed.
“Jack runs the Publishing department, with a focus on graphics. Greg is the head of Finance. He’ll be your direct report. Chase oversees all the editing and new clients, and myself, well, I make sure everything runs as smoothly as it can with a new business.”
“So, you all have known each other for a long time?”
“Throughout college. Jack, Greg, and I just graduated. Them one year early and me two years early, but it was worth it to get this business off the ground and running.”
“What makes one decide they want to open a publishing company?” I looked around the office, watching a few people work away on their computers and then back at Max, who seemed fixated on me.
“Someone who wants the world to know there is more to words than just being on a piece of paper.” A smirk formed on his lips and I had to hold in a snicker. I had seen that look over the years, guys thinking they were smooth talking, but it did nothing to me, especially not since Chase was most definitely in the other room. That’s where I really wanted to be, but in due time, and a few conversations, maybe I could work up the nerve to tell Chase who I was if he didn’t already remember me.
“Max!” I heard a yell from behind me and jumped. It was Chase’s voice that boomed across the office and a few heads turned toward where the open door was. Max’s smirk went away, with a look of annoyance taking over. I was almost tempted to look into the office, to see Chase again, but I thought better about it. I worked here now. I would have plenty of time to see him.
“I’m sorry, I should let you go. Be here tomorrow morning at eight and I’ll get you set up with Greg.” Max gave me a curt nod, not looking me in the eyes this time.
“Sounds like a plan.” I turned to leave just as Max turned to enter Chase’s office. I walked quickly, leaving before Max had any chance of taking back his generous offer. I had graduated from college just a few months ago, and now had not only a job, but a career.
I pulled out my phone to text my mom that I got the job. It was still so surreal to me, but what even blew my mind more was that I would be working with Chase. Well, not actually working with him, but in the same building. My heart skipped a beat again with the possibilities of what was to come.
I started to think how even if we didn’t have that same relationship we did when we were kids, we could build something new. A friendship. That’s all I was after.
At least for now.
Chase
“Three new clients?” Max sat behind his desk with his face in his hands. He was just as surprised as I was, but when I put the feelers out to some of the people I knew from publishing competitions, a few grabbed onto the idea of working with a startup publishing company. I just didn’t know three of them would want to do it, much less the five others that gave me a ‘hold on’ response while they looked around.
We were looking at the prospect of eight new clients, and we didn’t have enough people as it was. Max had an interview to get Greg some help today, but that wasn’t going to help our editing department or Jack with graphics, illustrations, and formatting.
