Tristan
“Merry Christmas,” I whispered to Molly as she stirred next to me.
She turned and gave me a brilliant smile. “Merry Christmas,” she replied. “Today’s the big day, huh?”
“In more ways than one,” I nodded.
“Are you nervous?”
“A little,” I admitted. “It’s always nerve-wracking opening yourself up to the public. Things are going to get a lot busier from here on out.”
“Is everything in order?”
“We have been dealing with some staff issues of late,” I replied, remembering my proposal to Jason at the beginning of Molly’s trip. I sat up in bed and looked down at her. Her golden hair was spread across the pillow, and a few strands were lying on my arm.
“What?” she asked.
“I have a job vacancy I need filled,” I said, easing into the topic.
“Oh?” she said, acting as though she didn’t know what I was talking about.
I smiled. “I could really use someone to head my human resources department,” I said. “Do you know anyone qualified enough for that job?”
She thought about it for a while. “I do know someone,” she nodded. “But she’s too expensive for you.”
“Is she?” I asked. “Well, I don’t mind paying well for someone good. But the job comes with one condition.”
“Which is?”
“She has to be willing to sleep with the boss,” I teased. “Often.”
Molly laughed. Then her expression turned serious, and she sat up, too. “But seriously, Tristan,” she said. “I know you made me that offer when I first arrived…”
“I’m still serious about it.”
“Aren’t you worried things will get messy?” she asked. “Now that we’re involved with each other, don’t you worry that things will get complicated?”
“No.”
“No?” she asked with raised eyebrows.
“I know you, Molly,” I said. “I know enough of you to know that you’re a true professional. I’d like to think I am, too. I think we’d be good at working together. In fact, I think the fact that we’re involved with one another might actually help.”
“Until it doesn’t.”
“So pessimistic,” I said. “I wouldn’t have expected that of you.”
“Sorry,” she said, coloring a little. “I guess I’m just not used to this.”
“What?” I teased. “Waking up with me?”
She laughed.
“So?” I pressed. “Will you please consider it? I really do need someone to head the department. Ben and I are spread too thin as it stands. I want someone competent and passionate; I want someone I can trust. And there’s no one I trust more than you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “If I accept this job, that would involve a move to Hawaii.”
“Yes.”