“Yeah. I can’t sit around and be a bum forever.”
“Not your thing?”
“Not at all. I need something to do before I go crazy.”
“I know something you could do?” Hayden suggested helpfully.
“Oh yeah. What’s that?”
“Me. You can always do me.”
“I could. But I don’t think that pays the bills,” I told him, unable to wipe the smile from my face.
“Well, I figured if I offered you cash—”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Hayden chuckled. “But seriously, what are you looking for?”
“I don’t really know. I was just kinda clicking around to see what’s out there.”
“And what’s out there?”
“There’s a few that are interesting. I don’t know what I want to do, but I know what I don’t want to do. I think I’d be an awesome assistant.”
“You already were,” Hayden confirmed with a soft smile. Hearing him confirm that I was good at what I did, meant more to me than the kisses. Having him believe in me, having someone believe in me, meant the world to me.
“This one looks good,” I said, moving the screen so he could see the role I was considering.
Hayden and I sat there, reading through the role and reviewing the criteria. I didn’t have all the things they were looking for, but I was hoping what I did have would be enough. The salary alone was worth throwing my hat into the ring.
“You know, these couple of jobs you’re looking at…”
“Yeah?”
“They’re all here.”
“Here?”
“Yeah. In Chicago.”
“So they are.”
“Skye.” The way he said my name, that deep raspy tone that made my body sit up and pay attention. “Are you planning on sticking around and staying in Chicago long-term?”
I knew this was a conversation we’d have to have, and when I’d started clicking around, I’d done it knowing I was starting to look here. Right now, staying close to Hayden was something I wanted to do. I wasn’t ready to walk away. In fact, I was ready to put down roots. While I’d loved working with Cassidy and travelling the world, I was tired. I was ready to stay in one place for a while. Maybe even buy a house plant.
“If I can find a job…”
“You’ll stay?”
“If I can find a job, then yes, I’ll stay. If I find a job in Alaska, then I’m not against buying some snow shoes and packing up. But if I can find something in Chicago, then this is my first choice.”
Hayden’s silence almost made me vomit. Then he stood and rounded the island counter before opening the fridge and pulling out a large box. Opening it, he cut two wedges of cherry pie and put them in bowls before pushing one towards me.
“Well then,” he started, “What are you wasting time for? Start applying. I think that you’d make a great assistant to some CEO hotshot working down in Riverside.”
Using my fork, I broke off a tiny piece of pie and pushed it around my bowl. “So you’re okay with me sticking around?” I asked nervously.
