We all knew that athletes could be dicks. But was he a dick we could keep in line? Or someone who would negatively put us in the news.
Me: Are you still at the office?
Kendra: Yes. I’m tying up a couple of loose ends before I leave on vacation.
Me: Can you stop by before you go?
Kendra: Sure.
Kendra knocked, and I called her to come in.
“Hey.” She was suddenly shy.
God, this woman drove me insane.
“I didn’t invite Darryl today. That wasn’t an oversight. I’m planning to let him go while you are on leave. While I can’t promise you the promotion, I’d like you to assume the acting director role as of the first of the year.”
“What? Have I earned it?” Her stunned expression pissed me off. Did she have the experience to back up her knowledge? No, but I had seen enough unqualifiedmen walk into the room and accept far more responsibility than I had offered her.
“Yes. The first qualification is that I trust your judgment. The second is that in that room, you were the only one who considered the longevity of the organization past this season. AndItrust you.”
She stared at me.
“Does the name Lucifer mean anything to you?”
I couldn’t contain the snort.
“Fuck.”
“We didn’t, if you were worried about that. And you and Lucifer also didn’t.”
God, I loved when she blushed. Her fair skin turned a pale shade of pink, and somehow her freckles stood out even more.
“I don’t usually drink that much.”
“It wasn’t that much. It definitely shouldn’t have been enough for you to be sick. I know this was an early morning, but I didn’t think you would want to miss it.”
“No, thank you. The ibuprofen someone left out for me was probably the only reason I could make it happen.”
I watched her closely as I asked the next question.
“What is your issue with Tucker?”
She averted her eyes. “He’s just an asshole. I doubt he’s changed.”
She nodded, and while she wasn’t offering more information, I couldn’t force her to tell me. I knew assholes in college, and while I wouldn’t hang out with them, it shouldn’t prevent me from offering them a contract.
“I know you’re working on the presentation for when wereturn to the office after Christmas. My deadline wasn’t exactly reasonable, especially with your vacation. Would you like an extension?”
Fire flared in her eyes. “No, I’ll have it ready.”
That’s my girl.
No, Hawk, she’s not your girl. She’s your employee. And your friend. Neither of those designations provided an option to call heryour girl.
“Any dates before you leave?”
“Fuck no. I think I’m done with that for the immediate future.”
