“I don’t intend to,” I said.
“Good. I like that. Okay. Let’s start with your credentials.”
“I’ve been working with this company for three and a half years now. Always part-time, always from home. I specialize in time management and over-the-phone counseling.”
“Getting a degree?”
“Yes. From Vanderbilt.”
“What’s your degree?” he asked.
“Psychology with a focus on substance abuse counseling.”
“Sounds like the perfect person for this job.”
“I’ve never taken on a full-time client like this. If you want to hire me for the job, I’d like your permission to use it as a bargaining chip with my professors.”
“Why? You failing a class?” he asked.
“No. But I could use it for credit in a couple of my courses if I smooth talked them enough, which would free up my schedule to do all the things you’re requiring of me. I have online courses I’m finishing up, but I had two that required me to be on campus this year. I could get out of them with this job if I phrased it as a paid internship. That would free up my time to work with Mr. Blackthorn.”
“If it helps you with your own time management, I’ll write a personal request and sign it myself,” he said.
“Anything else you want to know?”
“Yes. How familiar are you with people who have autism?”
“Mr. Blackthorn doesn’t strike me as someone who has autism,” I said.
“Because he doesn’t. Are you familiar?” he asked again.
“I can’t say I have any close friends who struggle with it, but it’s something I can read up on and learn about.”
“Good,” he said. “When can you start?”
“As soon as you need me,” I said.
“I’ll need you to sign the NDA before we leave the office. Congratulations. You got the job. God help your poor soul.”
Sighing, I shook my head as I stood and took the hand Hank offered.
I left the room and went back to my desk, then closed out the article in front of me. I got the job. Holy shit, I’d actually scored the job. Drake was still enjoying the women that were gathered around him, oblivious to the fact that someone had been hired to whip his life back into shape. I wondered if he knew the type of light Hank was painting him in during these interviews.
Hank gave me the impression I would need to be strong to corral a man like Drake, but I knew I was up for the task. No one ran me over, not even my professors. Sometimes it bit me in the ass, but most of the time it worked in my favor. My mother, despite her difficulties, raised me to be a strong woman.
“Drake, I want to introduce you to your new P.A.”
I looked up at the sound of Hank’s voice as Drake’s form towered over me.
“Hey,” Drake said, sounding uninterested in the whole thing.
I stood up and offered my hand to him as his eyes raked up and down my form. I held my head up high, waiting for him to shake my hand. I wasn’t going to allow this man to reduce me to a piece of meat, nor was I going to allow his piercing gaze to weaken my knees.
Though as I watched him up close, I could definitely see why women were attracted to him.
I shook the thought from my mind as Drake finally took my outstretched hand. The worst thing I could’ve done was allow my hand to drop. Getting him to shake my hand, no matter how long I held it there, established dominance. It was a small step, but it was a step in the right direction. Drake following my lead instead of me following his.
I watched a grin tick Hank’s cheek. He knew what I had done, even if Drake was still trying to dismiss me.