“You never called me back.” It sounded like an accusation, but there was a note of vulnerability in his voice that was different from before, almost as if he wasn’t used to people not returning his calls.
“I assumed Charlotte told you I wasn’t interested in working for you.”
He glanced down. “I…” We stood there for what seemed like forever, and then he raised his head and locked his gaze with mine. “I’m sorry for how things went on our date. It wasn’t my intention to offend you. You were upset for good reason, and I’d like to make it up to you by offering a job at my company.”
I hadn’t expected him to be so…civil. “Is that an apology?”
The corners of his mouth tugged upward as if he were trying to hold back a smile. “Yes.”
It wasn’t a full apology, and he hadn’t taken ownership of what he did with Liam and me, but it was better than nothing. At least it was a step in the right direction. “I appreciate that. As to the job offer, it’s not necessary. I’m willing to put all of this in the past and forget about it.” And I meant that. It was wrong of me to hold a grudge, and I was tired of it, anyway.
He studied me as if trying to figure out why I wasn’t cooperating by taking his offer. “I was told you need better medical care.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“I can offer you top-notch benefits as well as a higher salary. As you know, Project Helpers has a great reputation and even if you decide not to stay long, any experience with my company will look great on your resume.”
I was aware of Project Helper’s standing and reputation since Charlotte and I were friends, and he was right. Project Helpers was innovative, and their products were selling like hotcakes, which meant job security for employees. The company was similar to Home Depot, but it focused on kits for various home and outdoor projects. It was a great concept, and I’d even used a few of the kits over the years. Still, as much as I’d love to work at Project Helper’s, I didn’t want to work with Easton.
I folded my hands and looked him straight in the eye. “I understand, but you don’t owe me anything.”
He pressed his lips together and glanced to the side, frustration showing on his face. “You’re being stubborn. There’s no good reason to decline my offer.”
“I don’t want to work with you.” There was no point in lying or trying to pretend. That was the main reason I didn’t want to take the job. That, and I had a certain level of pride and didn’t want to be indebted to him.
“You won’t have to report to me if that makes you feel any better. George Layman is over human resources, and he will be the one to supervise you.”
“But you would still be my boss. You own the company.”
“Yes, but we won’t have much interaction.”
“But I’ll have to see you.”
He laughed outright. “Am I that bad to look at, Maya? Last time I checked, I wasn’t a monster.”
His smile was so genuine that it caught me off guard. I blinked and took in his handsome features. Strong jaw. Full lips. Broad shoulders and a trim waist. Piercing eyes that didn’t miss a thing. My heart fluttered being the subject of his attention, and I found my knees weakening. Good grief. What was wrong with me?
“I never said you were a monster.”
“But you’re thinking it right now.” His grin widened, lighting up his face, and I was struck by how appealing he was when he smiled like that.
“No, I’m not.” Truth be told, I was thinking about his smile.
“Good. If you don’t have a problem with me, and you’ve really put everything in the past, you should have no issue taking the job. It’s in your best interest.”
“I’ll have to give it some thought.”
A gleam flashed in his eyes as if he’d just been presented with a challenge, and he widened his stance, ready to take me on. “How can I convince you?”
I thought about that for a moment and sighed. He’d checked all the right boxes. An apology, even if it wasn’t the full apology I wanted. The assurance that I would report to someone else. Better benefits and a higher salary. But there was one thing that still nagged at me.
“Guess I’m worried you’ll fire me once I take the job, and then I’ll have nothing.”
He gave me an incredulous look. “You think the worst of me, don’t you?”
I didn’t know how to answer that, so I remained silent.
“Maya, despite all my flaws, I’ve never fired someone for undue cause, and I do my best to be fair in the workplace. I won’t mistreat you if that’s what you’re afraid of.” He stepped forward, his large frame towering above me, an intent expression on his face. “I promise to treat you well.” His eyes flashed with mischief, and he smiled wider. “All I ask is that you talk to me if you’re unhappy. No need to dump your lunch on my head.”
I couldn’t stop the grin that pulled at my lips. “Sorry about that. I lost my temper, but that’s no excuse. I shouldn’t have done it.”
He ran a hand along the side of his jaw and stared at me in amusement. “No one has ever tried something like that before. Personally, your boldness impressed me. Didn’t know you had it in you.”
“You don’t know me that well.”
“Perhaps you’re right. What do you say about accepting my offer?”
I felt myself weakening, but the stubborn part of my nature refused to give in right away. Nine out of ten people would have said yes after a speech like that because Easton Radcliffe was the one providing the assurances, and I understood why. Something about him made you want to please him. He had this certain quality that drew you in, but I already knew what would happen if I let my guard down. I would get burned, no doubt about it.
Still, I did need a job, and he’d just promised to not mistreat me. I doubted he would get anywhere if he made it a practice of not keeping his word.
“I’ll let you know,” I said.
A flash of disappointment flickered in his eyes for just a second, and then it was gone. “All right. I’ll hold the position open for you until Monday.” He turned and left without another word.
I watched him walk away and then closed the door. I sat down on my couch, my stomach clenching with anticipation over the decision I had to make.
Why was I behaving as if I wasn’t sure what to do? The choice was clear. I needed those medical benefits, and it might be months before I found something else.
But I knew better than to act impulsively. I definitely needed to pray about it.
Chapter 6
Easton
On Sunday morning, I decided to go to church. It had been a while since I’d gone, mainly because I felt guilty every time I went. My parents raised Charlotte and me in a Christian home, but they were never strict, and they gave us plenty of leeway. When I was a kid, I prayed a prayer, asking Jesus into my heart, but it was so long ago, I rarely thought about it. In my college days, a friend invited me to a Bible study, and I went out of curiosity. I stayed for a few months, but other things competed for my attention and that was the end of that.