Hailey beamed. Sure, she’d disrespected her tip from Hal, but she stood by her decision. Helping Sam had made her day and kept the light on in her heart, even if not in her apartment.
“I’m proud of you Hailey, that was very kind of you.”
Hailey beamed at the praise.
“But your life seems to be blurred lines, and I’m betting you have no money in the bank, a stack of bills you can’t pay down and you give everything you can to everyone but yourself. That is a very admirable quality when the giver has control, which you don’t.”
She wanted to argue, but it was true, all of it.
“Do you not find it odd that you are applying for work in an accounting firm whose first priority is to balance the budgets for its clients?”
Hailey had thought about it but had an answer at the ready. “No, Sir, I don’t, and I’ll tell you why. As you can see by my resume, numbers are my jam. I am trained to do this job and I love numbers like other women love shoes. So, I know I can balance anything for anyone, just not myself.” But she held up her hand. “I do better too. When I have numbers to focus on, it helps to ground me.”
Hal nodded. “Fair enough. I am prepared to offer you a job here, but not the one you were applying for. I have something else in mind.”
What on earth could he want to offer her other than an entry-level position?
“You will work as my junior assistant under my supervision and guidance. But it won’t be just in the job that I will guide you but also aspects of your personal life. You need help. You need a daddy whether you know it now. We will get your life in order and your bills under control. We will work on self-regulation so you arrive to work on time, and, when you fall short, I will remind you with a trip over my knee. This will be a three-month trial and you will only work for me, not the diner, or any other night job. After three months, if it doesn’t work out, I will help you find another job with equal pay. Those are my conditions.”
He was offering her the world. If he could accomplish all that, then she would be stupid not to accept, but there was something missing in the offer that she desperately wanted from him… a chance at a relationship.
“If I agreed, then when would it begin?”
Hal smirked. “Immediately.”
“I need to think about it. Can I have until tomorrow?”
Her answer must not have been the one he was expecting, because his face went through a series of transitions before becoming blank.
“Of course,” He finally answered, but the tone of his voice said something completely different. Hailey wasn’t going to worry about that, though. She stood to take her to leave.
“Thank you, Sir, for your generous offer. I know you’re a little surprised and so am I.”
Hal held his business card in his hand. When she went to take it, he kept a firm grip.
“Hailey, are you okay? This has been a strange day, to say the least, and I don’t think I should let you go. At least let me drive you home.”
She wanted to run; she wanted to stay, but mostly she wanted Halstrom Lewis. Would accepting a ride from him be so bad? It would save her an hour’s walk, that’s what. Her bank account was in the negative, and so were her pockets. Hailey didn’t have enough money for the bus fare across town. At least she got paid tomorrow and worked the night shift. She could get her lights on and eat at least, and… get to work at her new day job, if she accepted his offer.
“Um.” Hailey licked her lips. “I’m on the other side of town, and it’s rush hour so it would, uh.” Her mind was racing, and no coherent thoughts were coming to her as to why he should or shouldn’t drive her.
“Okay, young lady. I’ve seen enough. I’m driving you home. On the way, we will stop and get your electricity on.”
“But I don’t have the money,” Hailey whined and attempted to pull away from Hal, who now had a firm grip on her.
“Unless you want that ruler, not another word about money, Hailey. Let’s go.”
As they passed reception, a few people raised eyebrows at the pair, but no one said anything. Still, Hailey felt the blush creeping up her cheeks and had never been so thankful for an elevator door to shut.
If she took the job, she would have to face all those looks again and suddenly, working for Hal seemed even less appealing than before. She was sure she wouldn’t take him up on his offer now.
“Oh no, you don’t.”
Hal pressed her against the elevator, dipping his head, capturing her lips in a possessive kiss. When he pulled away, he eyed her with concern.
“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
“Um. Uh. Did you know we could reduce carbon emissions by half if no one drove their vehicles on weekends?”
