He ignored her and asked me, "How's it going?"
"Good. You?"
"I'm good. How's the studying going?"
It was a struggle not to give him a pointed look. I knew he was asking about the little gifts he'd sent and not the work itself. I was grateful for my olive skin tone because my face heated. If I hadn't been spending so much time outside gardening, the blush would have been obvious.
"It's going well." I glanced at Cam and asked, "Can I talk to you and Sierra privately for a few minutes before I clock in?"
Cam's eyes widened. "Please tell me you're not quitting because if you try, I don't know what I'll do. Other than plan your possible kidnapping."
"Jesus, Cam," J.J. said.
We both ignored him.
"Nothing like that. Actually, it's the exact opposite."
She beamed at me. "Sure." Using her hip to bump her brother out of her way, she walked around the counter and gestured for me to follow her to the office.
As we walked away, I tried, really, really tried, not to look back.
I also failed.
When I chanced a furtive glance over my shoulder, he was watching me walk away.
In the full five seconds it took to walk to Cam's office, I got myself back under control.
Sierra looked up when we entered, her bright red hair in a messy bun on top of her head, black glasses perched on the end of her nose, and magenta lipstick on her lips. She looked like a sexy yet slightly demented librarian. Until she stood up and revealed a long tee with a cartoon raccoon head on it and a pair of brightly patterned leggings. When I looked closer, I realized the leggings were a fun print that consisted of little stick figures in various rude poses. I didn't stare too long because I didn't want Sierra to ask me why I was staring at her crotch.
"What's up?" Sierra asked.
I cocked my head to the side when I realized that her shirt had the words "Gary the Evil Raccoon" under the raccoon head. Weird.
I jerked myself out of my contemplation of Sierra's outfit. "I wanted to talk to the two of you about the full-time position we discussed. How firm is the February date for me to move into the full-time manager position and start health benefits?"
They glanced at each other, some kind of non-verbal communication going on. It was Cam who turned to me and said, "We would love to do it earlier, but a lot of our funds are tied up in opening the new store early next year. Can we give everything another look and let you know in a few days?"
"Of course. I just wanted to ask."
Cam glanced at Sierra again and it was Sierra that asked, "Is something wrong? I mean, are you having problems with school or something?"
I shook my head, hoping the fact that I never actually lied out loud would make me feel less guilty in the long run. If I told them what happened, even if I left J.J. out of it, they would bend over backward to give me what I needed, even to the detriment of the business.
And I couldn't let them do that. Not just because it was important to them, but because it was important to me, too.
"If that changes, let us know, okay?" Cam said.
I nodded, once again choosing not to speak. This time because I would probably cry.
They may act crazy, but these women were smart and compassionate. I was lucky that I had the opportunity to work for them and, hopefully in the future, with them as an equal.
"Thanks," I said. "I'm going to clock in and get started."
They both nodded at me.
I left the office and settled in to work.
Part of me wanted to panic because I didn't know what I was going to do if the answer was no. I knew it would do me no good to freak out before I knew their answer.
