Emily stuck out her tongue at her sister, who stuck out hers in return.
“But this company evidently owns an apartment building or two in New York, and Katie said part of the package would include my apartment during the trial period. If I keep the job, Katie said the company would sign some kind of guarantee that’s needed to rent an apartment in New York. It’s evidently a big deal to find a place to lease there. You’ve got to get a real estate agent and fill out all kinds of papers and jump through a bunch of hoops.”
“Wait, Mom.” Emily sat forward. “Did you say the company owns an apartment building or two in New York? What kind of company is this? Who is it? Have we ever heard of them?”
“I don’t think so,” Anne said. “I’d never heard of them before. Some sort of international investment company—Gherring Inc.”
“Gherring Inc.!” The two girls shouted in unison, their eyes wide.
“Mom,” Charlie said. “Surely even you have heard of Gherring Inc. Don’t you ever watch the news or get on the internet? They’re huge!”
“That’s really impressive—Gherring Inc. So what does your boss do? What’ll your job be? Will you have an opportunity to move up? Will you get to travel?” Emily hopped to her feet, pacing in front of the couch.
“Emily, if I’d known that’s what it took to win you over, I’d have mentioned the name of the company first.” Anne laughed. “My boss is actually… Steven Gherring. I think he kind of runs the company or owns it or something…” Anne trailed off at the stunned expressions on her daughters’ faces. Both seemed to have momentarily lost the ability to speak. “He seemed okay, a little full of himself and not very polite to Katie.” Anne caught herself nervously adjusting her hair in its clip, so she put her hands in her lap and studied her nails.
After a few moments of astonished silence, Charlie said, “You actually met Steven Gherring? You had an interview with Steven Gherring? The Steven Gherring? And you didn’t even know who he was?”
“To be honest, the recruiter sent me an email with a link where I could read all about the company, but I never got past the name and address. I thought it was just a secretary job for some low-level guy.” She paused, struggling with her embarrassment. “I think I didn’t want to really try hard because I thought I was going to fail. I figured I’d have an excuse for why I didn’t get the job.”
“So you interviewed with Steven Gherring, and you were totally clueless? I can’t wait to hear this story.” Emily grimaced.
“There really isn’t much story to tell. I just told him why I was qualified for the position, and he offered me the job, on a trial basis.” Anne’s fingernails were suddenly even more interesting. She couldn’t tell them Steven Gherring had made her lose control. She didn’t even understand what it was about him that got her so flustered.
“That’s it? That’s the whole story?” Charlie lifted an eyebrow, a sure sign she didn’t buy it.
“It’s possible I lost my temper when he was so incredibly rude, and then I stormed out of his office. Actually, I didn’t quite make it out the door, but I was going to leave before he apologized. Hmmm, now that I think about it, he never actually apologized. He sort of took control and led me back into the room.”
“And then the rest of the interview went really well?” said Emily.
“It was okay, I guess.”
“You must have really impressed him with your qualifications, since you got the job. What did you say?”
Anne looked down, hoping her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. “I don’t exactly remember, but he was definitely impressed, alright.”
“What’re you hiding?” asked Charlie. “You’re always good at recounting details. Why’re you suddenly so forgetful?”
Emily broke in. “Mom, you’re blushing. Your face is as red as a stop sign. What did you say? What did you do?”
“Did you flirt with him?” asked Charlie. “I’ve seen his picture. He’s pretty hot for an old guy. Come on—fess up.”
“No, no, no. That’s not it at all. I didn’t flirt with him. I promise. And I really didn’t notice if he was good-looking, because he was so arrogant. I swear, I don’t even like the guy.” Anne fidgeted with her hair again and tried not to look directly at her daughters. She was a terrible liar. She couldn’t let them know how attracted she felt to her new boss, especially in light of how narcissistic he was.
“Then why’re you even interested in working for him if he was so awful and rude?” Charlie smirked.
“Because of the chance to experience New York, of course.” It was a good explanation, even if it wasn’t the entire reason for her decision. “I figure I can stand anything or anyone for three months. But it’s the chance of a lifetime to actually live in New York City, even for three months. And the company pays for all the moving costs too. Meanwhile, maybe I can
find another job up there. Or I guess I can always come back to Weatherford after he fires me.”
Emily’s brows furrowed. “Something tells me you’re not being entirely truthful. You still haven’t told us about the rest of the interview—after you almost stormed out of the office. Did you apologize for losing your temper? I mean, not that you aren’t efficient and smart. And not that you’re not the best candidate for the job. But I know that because I know you. What did you say to convince him to hire you when he’d passed on all those others?”
Charlie added, “Yeah, Mom. I don’t actually believe you flirted with him, even if he was on the Most Eligible Bachelor List five years in a row.” Her eyes flashed with merriment.
Anne thought back to the fateful interview as she had so many times for the past three days. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she recalled his piercing gaze. Unconsciously, she rubbed the back of her hand, remembering his searing touch. Determined to control his physical effect on her, she forced herself to consider his egotistical attitude.
“He was just so self-absorbed and conceited and full of himself. I really didn’t notice his looks. And I may have lost my temper again—just a little.”
“Then why on earth did he hire you, Mom?” Charlie asked.