“You must be Reese Annesley. Sam asked me to bring you to the conference room when you got here.” She waved me back. “Come on, I’ll show you the way.”
The conference room had a long mahogany table with a dozen chairs around it. The walls to the hallway were glass like a fishbowl, but the blinds on a track were partially closed. Once inside, I took out my Chapstick and lined my lips, adding some MAC Rebel lipstick on top. As I finished, I heard Chase’s voice from the other side of the glass.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to hire Reese.”
My heart sank. Obviously, he didn’t see me.
I recognized Samantha’s voice when she responded. “Why? We have a position open that she would be perfect for.”
“She wouldn’t be a good fit.”
“That’s crap.”
“Don’t give me a hard time, Sam. Just don’t hire her.”
I couldn’t see her, but I pictured her folding her arms across her chest. “Give me a reason.”
“Because I said so.”
“No.”
“No?”
“That’s right. No. You’re punishing the woman because she’s beautiful and you’re attracted to her. That’s just as wrong as punishing someone because they’re old or have a certain color skin.”
“You’re totally off base.”
“Okay. Then give me one good reason we shouldn’t hire her. She’s perfect for the job, and she’s able to start right away. With Dimitria going out on maternity leave soon, the timing couldn’t be better. Marketing is already understaffed, and Josh was planning on hiring someone for the branding team anyway. She can pick up some of Dimitria’s projects and then start new ones after Dimitria is back from leave.”
“Whatever. Do what you want, Sam.”
Sam’s voice became more distant. “I plan to.” She must have begun to walk away.
I closed my eyes. I certainly didn’t want to work somewhere I wasn’t wanted. But I needed to thank Samantha for her consideration before I left. Deciding it would be a waste of everyone’s time to even interview, I stood and began to walk back to the reception area. I would have the receptionist call Samantha for me. Of course Chase was coming down the hall as soon as I exited the conference room. I quickly turned and walked in the other direction, not even knowing where it would lead.
“Reese? Where are you going?”
“Why do you care?” I kept walking.
He caught up and fell in step with me. “What’s the matter?”
It pissed me off that he was acting all innocent, so I stopped and faced him to continue. “I overheard you in the conference room. I’m leaving.”
He closed his eyes. “Shit.”
“Yes. Shit. That’s how you made me feel.”
I began walking again, and Chase grabbed my elbow and steered me into an empty office, shutting the door behind him.
He raked his hand through his hair. His stupid, sexy hair. “I’m sorry. I was being an asshole.”
“Yes. You were. A big one.”
Chase dropped his head and chuckled. “You and Sam will get along great.”
“I take it you didn’t know Samantha had invited me here to interview today?”
He shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”
“Well, I don’t want to be where I’m not wanted. Please thank Samantha for me.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“I don’t even know what I think. You have me so confused.”
Chase stared at me for a moment, looking back and forth between my eyes. “Trust me, I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“Trust you? Because you have such a great track record of telling the truth when you’re around me?”
He glared at me.
I glared right back.
“Okay. Fine. You want the truth?”
I folded my arms over my chest. “That would be a refreshing change.”
He took a step closer to me, inching into my personal space. “I’m attracted to you. Really attracted to you. Have been since the first time I saw you. Tried to be respectful, considering you were seeing someone. Done doing that. If you work here, I’m going to try to get you into my bed.”
I opened my mouth to respond. Then closed it. Then opened it. “I can’t believe you just said that to me.”
He shrugged. “You wanted to know the truth. That’s the truth.”
“You do realize that I’d have to agree to sleep with you. Which wouldn’t happen if you were my boss, so it wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Oh. Well, then… Sounds like we wouldn’t have a problem after all. I was concerned for nothing. I’ll hit on you, and you’ll shut me down.”
“And…I also have a boyfriend.”
“Baron. We’ve met. The dope.”
“Bryant. And he’s not a dope.”
“Then we’re all set. Sam was right. You should work here if Josh wants to hire you. Won’t be an issue.”
He leaned in a little closer.
I stood my ground. God, he smells amazing.
“So we’re good? I apologize, you accept? You’re going to kick ass in the interview and get hired, then I’m going to try to get in your pants, and you’re not going to let me.”