“You’re going to take it, aren’t you? Did Alex tell you how much the raise would be?”
“No, but I don’t care. I want the job.” Gracie smiled, and she caught sight of Becky’s frown. “I’m happy about this and I wish you could be too.”
“I just hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.” Becky stopped them from going any farther and looked Gracie in the eye. “Working closer with Hunter could make it worse.”
“Make what worse?”
“His behavior.”
“You make him sound like a lecherous old pervert.” He so wasn’t. He was a sexy, captivating man who held her so in thrall she’d rather run away than face him every day.
Well, that was before the marketing director position was dangled in front of her…
Gracie frowned. Did Alex know she and Hunter had sex? Did Hunter put his brother up to this offer in order to keep her from trying to leave? God, she really hoped not. How embarrassing.
“You made him sound like a lecherous pervert first,” Becky pointed out.
“I said he flirted with me. That’s it.”
“I think there’s more to it, but you won’t tell me.” Becky’s voice took on a pleading note. “I don’t understand why. I’m your friend, Gracie. You can tell me anything.”
Not really. Not if she was going to run off and cause trouble every time Gracie said something. “Promise me you won’t do anything. Let it go, Becky. Please. For me.”
“Okay. Fine, I will.” Becky smiled, but her eyes were blank. “I won’t do anything.”
Gracie didn’t know if she could believe Becky.
And she only had herself to blame.
Chapter Eleven
“You did what?” Hunter was incredulous.
Alex didn’t react to his brother’s outburst. Didn’t even bat an eyelash. “I offered her the marketing director position.”
“Without consulting me.”
“You said she was your most valuable employee. I wanted to reward her, so I decided to make the offer.” Alex shrugged. “I thought you would be happy.”
“You didn’t ask me, Alex. It’s my department. I consult you over every little move I make.”
“I’m the CEO of the company. You have to consult me,” Alex said wryly.
Hunter wanted to smack him. He pounded the edge of his desk instead. “Whatever. You took over my department and made a major decision without my input. It’s insulting.”
“Are you insulted by my making Gracie Hayes the offer without your consent? Or are you upset you didn’t think of the idea in the first place?”
Damn it, Alex knew just how to cut him to the bone. Pressing his lips together, Hunter refused to answer.
“There’s something more here going on and neither of you are admitting it. Whatever it is, you need to put it behind you. Sounds like she’s willing to,” Alex continued.
“When you make such a generous offer, I can’t blame her. Besides, she’s the one who has the problem with me. I have no issue with Gracie.” He muttered the last sentence.
“Are you really upset with my offering her the marketing director job, Hunter? If you are, I apologize. I should’ve consulted with you first, especially if you don’t believe she’s the one for the job.”
Hunter was shocked. Looked like married life and being a father had turned Alex into a gentler version of himself. How strange. “I never said I didn’t think she could handle the job. I just prefer to know what’s going on when it comes to the department I directly supervise.”
“Of course. Perfectly understandable.” Alex nodded and stood. “I agreed to her wanting to leave but I got her to shorten the time. She’s going to be taking a three-week leave of absence after she gets back from Los Angeles. I think it’s best if you stay here and oversee the strategic planning for the new perfume project rather than go to California. Don’t you?”