Me: Fine. Bird can come.
Ash: His name is Shrimp.
Me: Shrimp is welcome. Now let’s negotiate your salary.
The dots move for a bit as she no doubt considers what her pay would be. When she replies, I’m confused by her answer.
Ash: Fifteen an hour is what I made at FGM Services. I guess that will suffice since I’m not exactly the best maid.
No wonder she didn’t do shit. I’d laugh in someone’s fucking face if they offered me fifteen an hour to clean. Fuck that.
Me: Fifteen hundred a day, five days a week. I want you at my home from eight to five during the work week.
Ash: WINSTON, NO!
Me: I don’t hear that phrase often, little girl . . .
Ash: You’re not paying me thirty grand a month to sit and play with my bird all day!
I can imagine her plump lips parted in shock. It makes me want to rush to her place, kidnap her, and lock her away in my condo forever so I can keep that scandalized look on her face always.
Me: Take it or leave it.
Ash: Leave it. I’m not accepting those terms.
Me: That’s just the base pay. All the “odd” jobs I’ll request of you are in addition to that salary.
Ash: Why are you so difficult?
Me: It’s really quite easy, Cinderelliott.
Ash: Don’t call me that.
Me: You’re about to become my maid. I think it’s fitting.
Ash: You’re not Prince Charming, for the record.
Me: No, I’m the villain in our story. Now accept my terms, woman.
Ash: Can I leave Shrimp at night and on the weekends? I can come feed him and play with him. You can deduct that money from my pay.
I frown at her strange request.
Me: I’m not good with animals.
My phone rings, and I lift a brow to see that she’s FaceTiming me. With a quick swipe, I accept the call, drinking in her young, pouty lips.
“Please, Win. He doesn’t feel safe here.” Her brows scrunch, and she chews on her bottom lip as she awaits my answer.
“I get to kiss you,” I offer. “Take it or leave it.”
“I’ll take it.” She beams at me, her hazel eyes lighting up. “Thank you!”
We didn’t settle on a number, which means I get as many as I want.
“Deal. I’ll watch the bird for you as long as I get to kiss you.”
Someone knocks on my office door, making me scowl in frustration.
“I’ll call you later to finish this discussion,” I vow. “I have a visitor.”
“Bye.” She wriggles her fingers at me and then the screen goes blank.
“Come in,” I bark out, seriously peeved at whoever interrupted me.
If it’s Perry one more time . . .
“Your panties are in a major wad today,” Nate says as he strolls in. “Care to share what’s eating you?”
I lean back in my chair, glowering at him. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s the fact you sent Perry in here a thousand goddamn times to annoy the shit out of me.”
He barks out a laugh as he sits down in the chair across from me, making himself at home. “You hired him to intern. Interns must learn. It’s the way of the world, man.”
“I’m regretting my decision, and it’s only been one day.”
“Sounds like you need a night out. Let’s go for drinks. My treat.” His face quirks up in a devious grin. “We could show Perry what it means to be a real man.”
At this, I scoff. “That shit isn’t learned after a day.”
“No, but it’ll be funny to give him shit. Watch his face turn beet-red. When Deborah yelled at him earlier, he blushed so fucking hard.” He cackles. “Maybe he’s into older women.”
I may dislike Perry most days, but I’m pissed that Deborah yelled at him. He’s a fucking Constantine. I’ll deal with her later.
“Fine.” I pick up my laptop and shove it into my bag.
“Fine? Seriously? I usually have to beg a little more to get you out.”
“I just hired my maid full time and would like to celebrate with her. Let me know where we’re going, and I’ll meet you there.” I zip up my bag and lift a brow at him. “Stop staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.”
“I mean, she’s hot as fuck, but since when do you fraternize with the help?”
“When she’s not cleaning my place, she also works as my personal assistant.” A small lie, but one I’ll no doubt turn to truth soon.
“Does she suck your dick too? Again, how do I get me one of those?”
“No,” I grind out. “She doesn’t. I pay her to do a job, and she does it well.” To please me. That’s her job.
“So sensitive today. You’re such a little bitch when you have to financially maim people. If you weren’t such a money hungry slut, I’d say you hate doing it.”
“Bye, Nate. Send Deborah in on your way out. Tell Perry to wear something respectable.”