“Unfortunately, no,” Lizzie said, frowning slightly. “The DC had the most physical changes and would produce the most immediate results, so I started here. But the next few weeks, it’s going to be with the procurement team, AR, AP, customer service, etc. Improvements, yes—but like this? Nah. Not as much fun either.”
“Oh, I don’t know—we have a couple of guys on the accounting team who can really cut a rug.” Will joked.
Lizzie laughed and then said, “Is that where George worked?” She wasn’t sure why she asked; she knew it would bother Will. Maybe she wanted him to know she knew about his cruelty toward George. Maybe she wanted to remind herself.
“No,” he said, visibly tensing up. “He didn’t reallyworkmuch anywhere.”
The silence between them was deafening, and even Celia’s exclamations of“¡Azúcar!”weren’t enough to distract from it.
“I’ll have lunch brought in around noon if that works?” Will said finally.
“Yes, perfect,” Lizzie replied, thankful for the change of subject. And with that, Will nodded and walked away.
An hour later, Ignacio and Lizzie were hanging mirrors for theblind corners when Will came downstairs. Lizzie was up on a ladder while Ignacio held the base. Will was caught off guard seeing Lizzie in this position, and from that angle. Usually a paradigm of control and sure-footedness, he was caught in an uncharacteristic moment of clumsiness. Not watching where he was walking, he walked right into the mirrors still waiting to be hung, causing a loud CRASH and every eye to turn his way.
The glass was intact, but Will’s ego was shattered.
“¡El jefe se comió el espejo!” Ignacio exclaimed. (The boss ate the mirror!)
“Hey—safety first, boss!” Lizzie said, laughing from the ladder, thinking, Will hoped, that he had just tripped, and not that he had been distracted from seeing her at this… angle.
Will cleared his throat and said, “Lunch is here,” before retreating to try to repair his injured pride.
Lunch was a spread ofbocaditos,pastelitos, andcroquetas—and, of course,coladas. Will stood off to the side, knowing he had emails piling up, but enjoying watching Lizzie interact with the warehouse staff; he couldn’t pull himself away. It didn’t matter whether the employee was from a different walk of life, age, or background; they all seemed to love her. She listened artfully and gave each of them equal attention. Will was fascinated by her skill with the employees, but also hoped to learn how to emulate her ease.
Ignacio came up to him, passed him a littlecolada, and said, “I wasn’t sure about her when you first brought her in, but now I think we’ll miss her.”
Will nodded, knowing the sentiment. “She’s really good, right?”
“I don’t want to overstep, but you shouldn’t let her get away.”
Will clenched his jaw. “I employ her. That would be very inappropriate.”
“I meant as an employee. Like you should keep her on the payroll.”
He nodded, understanding—but internally, he thought there wasn’t anything he’d wantlessthan to keep Lizzie around as an employee.
* * *
From the Desk of William Pemberley
4:15 p.m. — Miami DC Office
40%. In one week.
With a boombox and Danza Kuduro.
She danced. They followed with their moves; I couldn’t help following her with my eyes. I stared so hard at her up in a ladder that I ended up crashing into a mirror.
She asked about George. I froze. Should I have told her?
I bought lunch. She said “perfect.” I wanted to say that’s my line.
Chapter 7- Metiche
There was an unfamiliar car in the driveway when Lizzie got home. When she came in, she could hear animated voices spilling from the back.
In the eat-in kitchen, Lizzie found Abuela and Lidia chatting with George, who was all charm and confidence.
