“I’m not trying to buy you.” His mouth screws up. “I don’t want you working directly for me because if shit goes down, I need to be able to throw someone under the bus.”
“Oh.”
“It’s just business.”
He’s acting like he didn’t just tell me he loved me three days ago, like he’s just a client like any other.
“Well, then.”
He hands me a lease agreement. “Not to mention, I need tenants in this office space. My lender, a.k.a. Salinger, is up my ass about occupancy ratios. The rent is $7,500 a month. It comes with a tenant fit-out budget, though.”
I suck in a breath. Maybe I would like a boyfriend to subsidize my existence.
“I know you don’t like favors, so the rent is market rate. Unlike you, I’m not running a charity.”
When I follow him upstairs, Hannah, Zephyr, and the senior citizens are already settling into my new office, admiring the view and the amenities.
“Are you sure you won’t be sued for taking clients?” Zephyr asks Hannah.
“We’re not stealing clients,” I tell Hannah. “We’re offering them an alternative.”
“I’ll help stock up your breakroom,” Zephyr offers. “Fresh veggies are a wonderful employee perk.”
Truman sees McCarthy and goes crazy, wagging his tail. Buddy is next to him, sniffing.
“Is Jenna making you work?” McCarthy kneels down to pick up Truman.
“If you want to, you can take him for, like, a doggie playdate or something.”
“You want to come to a real house with central air?” McCarthy coos to Truman, who licks his face.
Not to be outdone, Buddy slobbers all over McCarthy’s ear.
It tugs at my heartstrings to see McCarthy with both dogs. He’d be a good father. And I told him I didn’t want anything to do with him.
“I’m going to hire you. It’s a long-term, very lucrative contract.” McCarthy stands up and brushes off his pants. “I think you can manage as long as you don’t blow your budget on sprinkles and doughnuts.”
“Is this a trick?” I demand, part of me hoping he’ll get down on one knee and tell me this is his grand gesture and he wants to spend the rest of his life with me. The other part is like, “Jenna, get a grip and act like a professional.”
“You’re good at your job. I’ve been recommending you. Obviously.” McCarthy holds out his hand.
I stare down at it.
“Do we have a deal?”
“A deal?” I croak.
Not to offer marriage. Just to shake.
I move my Stanley cup to my other hand and swallow the lump in my throat. “Yeah. I mean, yes, deal.”
“Just leave the signed paperwork with the leasing office.”
I stare at him as he walks out.
Hannah rests her chin on my shoulder. “Why aren’t we going after him? You’re almost thirty. The independent-woman shtick is fun for a little bit, but you know, what about your life goals? At this rate, your mom’s going to be on family number two before you even start a family.”
“He doesn’t want me anymore.” I sniffle. “Did he really lose interest that quickly?”
