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Mr. Bishop’s eyes widened a bit as she spoke, but there was no other reaction. He sat up in his chair, closed the file he held, and placed in on his desk as he sat forward. “Nope. That’s it.”
Jessica swallowed hard, waiting for whatever came next, fearing the interview was now over, and she’d totally fucked it up. Or rather her past association had fucked it up before she even got here.
Mr. Bishop stood up slowly. She blinked away her anger and also stood up. He extended his hand again.
She stared at his palm as if all her hopes and desires were about to be lost forever once she shook his hand. She cleared her throat, swallowed hard, and placed her fingers against his, squeezing away her final chance.
He said, “The job is yours. When can you start?”
She released his hand abruptly. She sucked in a deep breath of shock, wondering if this was yet another set up she’d have to endure. “What? I don’t understand.”
He shrugged as if he hadn’t just asked her to spill the most devastating aspect of her recent past. “I’d like for you to work here. I’m offering you the job you came here to interview for.”
“Why did you ask about the circumstances of my departure from Barrington Hotels?”
Mr. Bishop smiled with genuine amusement. “Maybe I’m a big gossip. Or maybe it was simply a test.”
“A test?”
“Listen. I’ve already pretty much figured out what happened to you at your last place of employment all on my own. Anyone able to withstand the justified desire to persecute a former employer when something unfair has been shoved their way, forcing them out the door deserves not only a medal—in my humble opinion—but also a job along with my gratitude.
“Mr. Barrington was exceedingly foolish to let you go for any reason. So it must have been a doozy. Which is also only my opinion, however, since I can benefit from his stupidity, I’m happy to snap you up and offer you this job if you’d like to work here.”
“I would like to work here,” she said before his offer was withdrawn.
“Excellent. Then we’re in agreement.”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He pulled a note from his shirt pocket and handed her the folded piece of paper. On it was the official offer for this job, typed up and proper, including vacation, perks, and salary, which was very generous and even closer to her previous one than she’d expected. It did not go unnoticed that her name was already printed at the top, meaning he’d already wanted her for the job before the unusual interview.
Considering she expected to start at half what she used to make, she grinned in relief. “I accept your gracious offer.”
“Glad you’re on board.” He reached out his hand again. She took it as a wave of relief swept down her body from temples to toes. “Sorry if I upset you with my nosy question.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t upset me. I thought I’d been set up to lose this opportunity.”
“If you ever want to vent about what happened, I’ll gladly make myself available, however, it’s not a requirement. I’m delighted to have you work here either with or without gossip fodder.”
“Truthfully, I expected to be up against a number of people for this choice job.”
He laughed. “Honestly, you were the singular candidate even worth talking to.”
Jessica pushed out a long breath. “Thanks for not insisting I break a confidence to take this job.” Mr. Barrington had asked her sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to receive her severance package.
“Maybe someday, I’ll get you drunk so you can tell me all the secrets you harbor about Pete’s Posh Palaces without realizing it.”
Jessica pushed out a sigh of relief and laughed. “Looks like I’ll have to keep a very strict eye on you. I’ll give you a special hint though. You’ll need lots of vodka. More than I could possibly drink, and I the truth is, I still won’t tell you anything.” I hope.
“I’ll have to keep making up my own gossipy assumptions about it, then.”
“I can’t imagine who would care anyway.”
“You’d be surprised. Everyone likes to hear sensational gossip, especially about a rival.”
