“What day did she reach out?”
I’m confused by his questions, wringing my hands as I shift in my seat.
“Saturday morning...after we...” I trail off, but he’s still staring at me. “I saw the email that afternoon. She called me as soon as I replied to it and offered me the job.”
He’s sitting very still. “Did you tell her you could speak multiple languages?” He says it slowly, like I’m too dense to understand him.
I suck in a breath, blowing it out before answering. “No. I didn’tlieto her to get the job.” My words have bite to them, but he doesn’t outwardly react.
The SUV pulls up in front of the jet, and the interior is lit up. He doesn’t move to get out of the car until the driver gets out and opens his door.
I follow suit, mind swirling with questions.Is he going to fire Georginne because she hired someone who wasn’t qualified for the position? Does he even believe me?
I guess he could fire me, too, but it’s not like I lied. Surely, I can prove that my résumé doesn’t say anything about knowingany languages besides English and being moderately proficient in Excel. I’ve heard of people exaggerating or even lying about their skills to get a job, but how could I possibly have expected to get away with something like that?
We ascend the stairs into the plane.
Rachele greets us with her knockout smile. “I trust your stay was pleasant?”
Luke nods. “Can I get a glass of bourbon?”
“Of course, Mr. Bradshaw. Anything for you, Miss Dawson?”
“Wine, please.”
She nods, swaying gracefully toward the back of the plane.
“I need to go over the contract and make some adjustments before I send it to Mr. Lim. Can you email your notes before you go to bed?”
I nod, feeling dismissed. He’s back in Mr. Bradshaw mode, and I wasn’t prepared for the stark transition.
The island really had us in a bubble.
We landin Dallas on Sunday morning. I’m not prepared for the wave of summer heat when we exit the jet. I’m dressed in my casual traveling clothes—black joggers and a cropped white hoodie. I’m feeling refreshed from the shower I took, but Luke is somehow still sexy in his tux from last night.
I get a text from Mel as we wait on the tarmac for the car to take us into the city.
Mel
Nik booked me an entire spa day! Won’t see you till tonight, but I can’t wait to hear about your weekend. Love you, boo.
Kate
That’s so sweet. He sounds like a keeper. See you soon.
I’m relieved I’ll have a day alone at the apartment to sulk.
Two black SUVs pull up. Luke walks up to one, opening the door for me.
He clears his throat. “I’ve got some things to take care of. Jackson’s going to drive you home.”
The bald driver who brought us here is sitting in the car, waiting. I wasn’t prepared to say good-bye right now. I thought I’d have an hour or so in the car to drum up the courage to ask if I still have a job even though I only speak one language.
“Oh, um, okay . . . see you tomorrow morning?”
He simply nods. The other driver is outside his vehicle, holding the door open for his employer. I climb into the car, and Luke shuts the door without another word to me.
I’m fighting back tears as we pull away from the tarmac.What kind of silly, stupid girl falls for her boss?His pattern of showering me with attention and then retreating back into silence is emotionally draining.
