"That's the position, but he's not available today. I'm the next best thing."
"And the job would be to work with him, right? Not you?"
Jamie stifled a laugh that bubbled up inside of her. Was this girl for real? Where did these women come from? Just because Alex was once the city's most eligible bachelor didn't mean he didn't run a tight operation at the office. There was no way he would hire someone only to seduce them.
She shook her head, ignoring the small voice in her head that said that her story was a little like that, and yet nothing like it at all. She'd been overweight, lacking confidence, and needed someone to believe in her. And he had. Completely. His confidence and attention had given her a breath of fresh air and a reason to push forward into the new life she wanted so badly.
And now we're getting married.
"Are you listening to me?" The girl leaned forward, pulling Jamie from her thoughts.
"Hmm? No. Thanks for coming in today. I have all I need." Jamie got up and walked to the door, opening it and moving back. "Tell Kristen to send in the next interviewee please. We'll be in touch."
"You didn't even ask any questions." She picked up her purse and moved out into the hall.
"I didn't need to." Jamie turned and walked back into the conference room, sitting down and jotting down a few reasons why Kinsey was a bad fit for the firm.
First being: gold-digger.
*
After a long afternoon of interviewing Barbie after Barbie, Jamie was glad to finally have an interviewee who seemed genuinely interested in being at the company. Funny enough, it was a man. A younger man.
"So you're working on your degree and are only two years out. Congrats on that." Jamie smiled at him as they concluded the interview.
"Thanks. I really feel like taking on a position like this one would be beneficial to the future for me, seeing that I'd like to work here as a trade analyst when it's all said and done. I realize the position would have to become available, but I'm good waiting. I just want to work for someone who's made it through hard work and being a good citizen. That's what I see in Mr. Reid."
"That's exactly who he is." Jamie stood and extended her hand. "Well, Justin, it was great to meet you. I'll have Alex give you a call in a week or so for a follow up interview with him."
"Thanks so much." He shook her hand and walked out in the hall. Mark stepped into the conference room and lifted his eyebrow.
"Wow. A guy?" He looked down the hall.
"Yep. He's my top pick too. He has all his stuff together, or is a damn good liar." Jamie chuckled and checked her phone. "Can you go over to the hospital for a few hours? I want to go have a drink with Kristen, but I feel bad not having someone go over and see Alex. He's been there all day by himself. You know he goes stir- crazy."
"Yeah, I can do that. Didn't you take him his laptop?" Mark moved back as she walked out of the conference room and closed the door behind her.
"I tried. Dr. Bennett wouldn't have any of it." She laughed. "They ran a stress test and thankfully his heart looks great. He's just about healed up from the gunshot wound. It's all stress-related."
"I figured as much." Mark walked with her back to her office. "What’re they going to do about it?"
"I would assume put him on a much-needed diet of stress-reducing medication, a week of vacation, and talk to him about pulling back a little here. Dr. Bennett asked me about everything the other day."
"He does work too much. Who does he have who can step up and do a little of what he's doing?" Mark stopped just side her door as she worked t
o put her stuff back on her desk and clean up a little. "I mean, besides you. You being up here doesn't help much of anything."
"There's a lot of senior-level staff Alex would probably consider. It's more of a trust issue with everything that's happened lately." She glanced up and worked to get her hair into a messy bun. "How about you? Are you still looking to get out and start something on your own, or are you thinking you might want to take on a bigger role here?"
"I don't know." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'll talk to him about all of it today. I really don't think I fit in here very well, but we'll see what my big brother has to say about all of it. I can't imagine not helping him out if he needs me, but knowing Alex he has three backup plans for any and every possible outcome."
"That sounds about right." She laughed and grabbed her purse. "Tell him I'll be there in a little bit. I just want to talk to Kristen about a few things."
"Will do." Mark moved back into the hall. "Everything okay with her? She's not upset about something, right?"
"Should she be?" Jamie closed her door and turned to face Mark.
"Not that I know of, but you know how you women can be. We think everything is fine, and then we're blindsided by something we didn't even know about."