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“No, she may not. I don’t take my pie from anyone but Mazie girl,” Darryl says.
“Oh, please, you old grump. She’s only here four nights a week. I serve you your pie every other night just fine.”
“Yeah, with a side of attitude,” he hisses.
“I’m not leaving. I’ll get your pie as soon I make this call. Wish me luck,” I say, unable to hide the smile on my face. I mean, would he call to tell me I didn’t get the job? That seems awfully courteous. I’m hoping they only call to say that I got it.
“I don’t believe in luck. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have lost my sweet Brenda, would I?” Darryl rambles from behind me as I hurry into the kitchen.
“I swear, Brenda’s not dead. She’s hiding from his grumpy ass,” Desiree whispers in my ear before bursting out laughing.
I roll my eyes because the two of them never stop bickering. I hurry to the back room and dial the number.
“Hello,” he says, his voice gruff and sexy.
“Hi. This is Mazie McCarthy. Is this Aidan?”
“Yes. Hello, Mazie. I was calling to let you know that we’d like to offer you the job.”
“Really? Oh my gosh. Yes. Yes, please. I will most definitely be taking it.”
Real smooth, Mazie. Way to show your desperation.
“That’s great news. I know Jack already went over the salary and the benefits with you, but do you have any other questions for me?”
“Nope. I just need to give notice at both of my places of employment. I know I can start right away during the day. Tomorrow even, if you want me to start training. But I’ll still have a few shifts at the diner, so I won’t be able to stay late the first week on the nights I work at Gino’s.” My hands are shaking and I’m struggling to keep my composure. The salary that he offered me is more than double what I’m making now between the two jobs. And I’ll be able to get off of my mother’s benefits.
“That won’t be a problem. If you’d like to start tomorrow, it would be wonderful. That would give Miranda time to train you.”
“Okay. I’ll be there.” I need more clothes. I’ll have to wear the same skirt and trade out my blouses until the weekend. If I can grab a few things to get me through the next few weeks, then I’ll slowly add more pieces to my wardrobe. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?
“Sounds great. I’ll get everything to HR tomorrow, and we’ll have paperwork for you to sign.” He pauses and I stop pacing as I wait for what he’s going to say next. “I want to make sure that you know how sorry I am about that puddle. Someone was honking behind me and I just, I couldn’t take my eyes off you, er, um, I mean, I just panicked. I hope you believe that I did drive back around and try to find you.”
Well, at least I know he couldn’t look away either. It hadn’t been one-sided. And I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy that has gone to such lengths to apologize.
“Thank you for doing that and for your apology. It’s fine. It was just bad timing.”
There’s more meaning behind the words I’m saying. Because it’s obvious we shared quite a moment. We’d both stared at one another before the puddle, which brought said moment to a screeching halt. But it doesn’t matter now. I’ll be working for Aidan.
So, we were already doomed either way.
I did accidentally take note that he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Nor do I think Mya and Emma would go on and on about how amazing their co-worker is if he was a douchey guy. But it doesn’t matter at this point. I’m working for the man, and I hope to love this job. End of story.
“Okay, great,” he says. His voice really is so sexy over the phone. I almost get distracted by it. “We can start fresh.”
“Absolutely.” If only my workout outfit could start fresh.
“All right then. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Mazie. Welcome to the team.”
Chapter 6
Aidan
It’s been a long time since I’ve paid any attention to what I wear to work. A long time since I’ve been excited to get to work. I blame Mazie McCarthy. She’s been here for one week, and it’s been the best week I’ve had at work in a long fucking time. I want her to feel comfortable at the firm, particularly with me. We had a rough start, but she was warmer on the phone than she’d been in person, and I have to hope that my apology got through. She’s been friendlier as each day has passed, so as one more gesture, I stop by Starbucks right before going into the office and pick up what I think she’s been drinking every day here. I’m confident in a courtroom and I’m almost as confident with distinguishing scents, which can be a blessing and a curse. Especially in New York City. It works to my benefit in the kitchen. Oh, let it work for me now…
I’m usually the first to arrive after Miranda, but I’ve been surprised that Mazie has been sitting next to her before I get here every day this week. Today their attention is on the computer screen in front of Miranda.
I place two cups in front of them, one for Miranda and the other for Mazie.
