I start to leave, then realize I’m still carrying the roses. I shove them into her face. “Here. Happy birthday.”
“Um. Okay.” She takes them. “Thank you.” Her voice is uncertain, but it says she’s willing to forgive me if I apologize.
“We’re done.”
She gasps. “Are you dumping me?”
“Yes.”
“Over myhair color?” She says it loudly enough that other diners stare.
I turn and walk away. I should’ve known the evening wouldn’t end well when Marjorie screwed up my flight reservation and bought the wrong present.
I can’t get rid of her fast enough.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Aspen
On Monday at seven thirty sharp, I step out of the elevator and onto the thirty-fifth floor. I can’t believe I’m working here!
I look down at the employee badge hanging around my neck, which I received from security on Friday. My photo shows me doing my best not to grin like a fool. But it was difficult to contain myself.
Once that was done, Emmett had IT set up a laptop for me and instructed me to learn the apps the company uses to manage schedules and meetings and so on. Marjorie showed me how for an hour, and then I used Google and the employee training to master the rest.
Emmett clearly expects me to hit the ground running, and I plan to do exactly that. HR told me my benefits will start from the first of the month, so I’ll be without coverage for a couple of weeks. I can deal with that, especially since the position came with a two-thousand-dollar signing bonus I didn’t know about. Leah, the HR rep who was helping me, told me Emmett probably forgot to mention it.
“He knows the general rules and policies, but not the small stuff. Not that it’s his job to know,” she said, tapping beautifully manicured black and red nails on her desk.
I merely nodded at the idea of two thousand dollars being “small.” Also, I was too happy to argue.
“You need to stay with the firm for at least six months, or you’ll have to give the money back. Prorated, of course.”
“That won’t be an issue. I plan to stay a while.” I already told my two other part-time jobs that I was quitting, and my bosses said that was fine. I’m going to continue to work at the bar on weekends because Jenna’s amendable to adjusting my schedule, and the money’s good.
“Great!” Leah took all my paperwork and smiled. “We don’t need the boss freakin’ out over not having an assistant so soon again.”
Doesn’t Emmetthavean assistant? But maybe Marjorie’s a temp, and he’s looking for a permanent hire.
I smooth my black skirt with slightly trembling hands and walk toward Emmett’s office. I thought I’d be one of the first to arrive, but there are at least fifteen people as I walk by all the desks, including Amy, who’s scowling at her computer.
Marjorie isn’t here yet. I pull out my shiny new laptop and boot it up. While it’s whirring to life, I go over to Emmett’s office. The door is ajar, so I stick my head inside. He’s at his desk, tapping on his tablet.
“Good morning, Emmett.” I smile.
He looks up. “Hi, Aspen. You’re in early. What’s up?”
“Wanted to know if you needed anything before we discuss your agenda for the week.”
“Actually, no. I’m fine.” He stands and comes around his desk. “Let me introduce you to your boss.” He starts leading me out to the hall, past all the desks.
I trot after him. “Aren’t I working for you?”
“No. I have Marjorie. It’s my brother who needs a new assistant. His had to quit three weeks ago, and it’s been, ah, a little rough since then.”
“He didn’t want to interview me himself?” I wonder if the firm’s going to rescind the offer if Emmett’s brother doesn’t like me. I can’t have that.
“Nope. He left the hiring to me, and I’m great at detecting talent.”
