“To learn standard practices and familiarize myself with daily operations,” I quote from the contract, just to stick it to him. Did I get wasted the night before my first day of work and have to be driven to work by my overbearing friend, thus leaving my contract at home? Yes. But I read through it before signing it.
“Yes, but there’s also a stipulation that you may be required to take onothertasks.”
“Why do you keep saying it like that?”
“Like what?”
“Emphasizing the word ‘other’ before saying ‘tasks.’”
Ashton shakes his head and rests his forehead in the palm of his hand for a moment before picking his head back up.
“The bottom line is that I need a personal assistant until the interns start in the spring. You are the only person on staff with the extra time to do it.”
No. He’s not asking what I think he’s asking. He’s not asking at all because he’stellingme.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” I say anyway as I go to stand up.
“It wasn’t a question.”
“I will not be your personal assistant, Ashton. That’s not the job I accepted.”
“That’s cute.” His condescending tone makes me want to put his hand in the three-hole punch sitting on the side of his desk and clamp down until he begs for mercy. “You’re right. It’s notthe job you were offered by someone who does not currently work here. It’s the job you’re being offered now. Half of your time will be spent working on your articles and getting to know the lay of the land. The other half will be as my assistant. Take it or leave it. Since you didn’t bring in your contract, you are under no obligation to be here. At the same time, we are under no obligation to employ you.”
“You can’t?—”
“I can.” Ashton stands to his full height, and damn, why does he look taller than usual? “Now if you don’t mind…” he nods toward the door.
I keep my head held high as I slowly rise from the chair. Who the hell does he think he is? The condescending, smug little?—
“Oh, and Allie?” His tone is practically vibrating. “If you do decide to leave, maybe give me a little heads-up this time so I can start looking for your replacement as soon as possible.” With that, he looks down and starts typing again.
As soon as I close the door, I see Skylar standing off to the side, staring at something on her phone.
“Hey,” she says cheerily as she looks up and notices me. When she takes in what I’m sure is utter defeat on my face, her smile falls. “I take it that didn’t go well?”
“He wants me to take your job—your old job,” I tell her.
“What?” she nearly shrieks, her eyebrows shooting up to her hairline. “You were hired as our food writer. Kaya is leaving next week. We can’t be without a food writer.”
“No, he wants me to have both jobs. In addition to my one article per week during my probationary period, he wants me to be his assistant.”
“Oh,” she says with a hint of relief.
“Oh? That’s all you have to say?” I’m not sure why, but there’s something about Skylar that makes me feel like she’s an old friend rather than someone I’ve known for all of two hours.
“I’m sorry, but it makes sense. He’s going to need all the help he can get and you’re the only—” Her eyes move back and forth over me and something flashes in them. Pity?
“Look, it’s obvious you two have some sort of history other than sharing a mutual friend. If this is too awkward, I can figure something out. I’ll keep the assistant duties until the interns start. Or I can try to hire a temp…” Her eyebrows knit with worry, and now I’m the one who feels pity. Skylar has so much going on right now. I may not know her, but she’s done nothing but try to help me since this morning.
“It’s okay,” I sigh, walking in the direction of my new desk in the pit. “I’ll do it.”
Her shoulders sag in relief as she follows me to my desk. “Okay, but let me know if you change your mind. I’ll figure something out.”
I nod my head. “Thank you.” She gives me a small smile and turns to leave, but something she said before finally registers. “Skylar,” I call to her, and she turns back. “We have a mutual friend. That’s all.”
She knowingly dips her head and keeps walking toward her new office.
5
