“Sure.” I straighten and suck in a deep breath, puffing out my chest.Is that what one does at these sorts of things?I’m so out of my element.
She slides on a pair of glasses and thumbs through a stack of papers. “Oh, screw it!” She yanks the glasses off and tosses the paperwork in the air. It pinwheels a few times before scattering all over the small patch of carpet around her desk. “Since we’ve already met, I think we can skip the formalities, right?”
I hope she doesn’t catch the bob of my throat when I swallow. Would I be reacting this way if this wasn’t Rhett’s sister? I’m second-guessing everything.
“I’m going to be blunt with you,” she continues. “There are some people in this office who are…difficultto work with. They’ve driven away four perfectly capable assistants of mine, and I really need the help. Would you say you have thick skin, Summer?”
Does dealing with your grumpy brother count?
I don’t say that. Instead, I return the level of honesty.
“I’ve had sixteen jobs in the last decade. My track record of sticking with something is not great. But I’m living with my best friend after going through a divorce, and I really need the money for a deposit on an apartment. I know my skill set may not transfer to this job, but I’m a quick learner. And if you’re asking if I can handle those catty girls down the hall, the answer is a resoundingyes.” Of that I am confident. I unscrew the cap off the bottle of water and tip it toward my lips.
She grins at me. “You’re hired.”
I gulp down the liquid in a stiff bob of the throat. “Just like that?” A gust of surprise follows my question. I expected she’d need details. An even longer explanation of my work history. A trial run to make sure I make good on my word.
All the while, my heart is screamingYou already found the job you want!while also being drowned out by the logical voice in my head that saysBut it’s something you can never have.
“I can pay you thirty dollars an hour. Can you start today?” Emma’s hands are folded in a pleading gesture.
All thoughts of being anyone’s nanny vanish as I sputter and choke on another swig of water. “I’m sorry… Did you saythirty dollars an hour?”
She smiles. “I told you I needed help.”
I calculate the math. That’s…sixty-two thousand dollars a year. Ten grand shy of what Brian makes. I can’t… I don’t…what? I expected it to take me years—if ever—to work my way up to that kind of salary. I won’t have to stare at Brian’s court-deemed money in my account as soon as I can prove the income. There’s no way I can turn this down.
A legal assistant wasn’t the job I was hoping for, but I like Emma, and she’s taking a chance on me. The thought of living on my own and supporting myself no longer feels as far away as it did. Right now, that’s all that matters. And I remind myself that it doesn’t have to be forever.
“Yes.” I nod eagerly. “Yes, I can.”
Eight hours of learning to manage Emma’s calendar, maintain her case files, and handle incoming and outgoing emails and phone calls is how I spend my first day on the job. Despite my head swimming by the end of it, I’ve managed to keep it above water. Which is all that matters—it’s all I promised her. It’s obvious how backlogged her workload is and, like helping with Quinn, it feels nice to be needed.
I didn’t consider how triggering and disheartening it would feel seeing the number of divorce cases that cross her desk though. I’m not surprised. I know the staggering statistics; I added to them. If there was any other way, I wouldn’t have. It wasn’t my choice. A memory of the ring onmy finger and Julia’s words from last night drift through my head.
I figured you’d take it off when you were ready.
I don’t know what held me back. I don’t like to think about it. Another reason why this job will be good for me. Gives me very little time to think at all.
I make it through a quarter of the stack before it’s time to go home for the day.
“Thank you so much for taking this job. I’m glad my brother introduced us,” Emma says as we walk to the elevator together.
“He’s a good guy.”
She eyes me with a smile but doesn’t say anything as the other legal assistants step into the elevator with us.
“You’re still here,” one of them points out.
I wink at her. “First day.”
They look at each other and share a smirk. “I’m Tara. This is Jasmine. You should come out with us to celebrate. Amsterdam Lounge. Have you heard of it?”
The first thing I notice is that they don’t invite Emma.
“I have.”
Their eyes brighten. The elevator dings and the doors open. They step out first, waiting for me on the other side.
