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“The first number is mine because I’m hoping you’ll call sometime. Even if you don’t, still call the second number. Ask for Melissa and tell her I sent you. I know there are some openings, most of which don’t require specific experience.”
“Are you…Nate, what are you doing? Offering me a job?”
“Technically, you’ll have to interview, but if you want to move past the bullshit, yes.”
“I think it’s best I don’t,” I say but I can’t help smiling. “I think the drinks and cab are plenty for one night.”
I’ve already given in to the drinks and the cab. This is far too much, rich boy!
“I’m serious, Cherry.” He reaches over as if he’s going to touch my hand but stops short. Instead, he pushes the napkin a little closer. “I think you’d be perfect for it.”
“Perfect for what? Who the hell is Melissa?”
“Melissa is the office manager at the county parks building,” he says. “It’s nearly time to start data analysis on the maple trees for the spring collection of maple sap. With your current botany knowledge, it’s a good fit, and you’d have some experience when you apply to colleges.”
This is just too much.
“So, what? You…you own the park?”
“Of course not.” He shakes his head, laughing. “It’s a state-owned park. I just…I own the maple syrup processing plant.”
What is happening here? Is he serious? Is there nothing in this town he doesn’t own?
“I didn’t agree to have drinks with you in hopes of landing a job,” I say. I feel indignant, like this whole night has suddenly become about being a charity case. I had a bad date, and I appreciate him intervening, but I am not looking for a savior.
“It’s not like that,” he says insistently. “This isn’t any kind of quid pro quo. And I can’t guarantee you a job there, but I do think once you talk to Melissa, she’s going to hire you on the spot.”
“You’re very confident.”
“Usually.”
All of a sudden, I’m scared. I’m not even sure why, but I am. This is too much too fast, and I don’t understand why he would do such a thing for someone he doesn’t even know.
“Nate, I can’t do this.” I start to push the napkin back toward him, and this time he places his hand over mine.
“Yes, you can. I have a feeling you need work sooner rather than later, and this could start immediately if you call her Monday morning.”
If the Orso family is what they appear to be, Nate could be a powerful ally in finding a job and my birth records. For that reason alone, I should accept his offer, but it feels like something else, and I’m not sure what. I only know that it terrifies me.
I’m about to pull away when Nate leans close, hand still on top of mine, and whispers.
“Cherry, can I tell you a secret?”
“A secret?” A shiver runs down my spine.
“Yeah.”
“Okay…”
He leans over a bit more, mouth near my ear. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek and smell the cologne he’s wearing. It’s faint but intriguing.
“I also own a greenhouse,” he whispers, “but those plants grow indoors. Obviously not a good fit for you, but trees grow outside. I think you can handle it.”
As abruptly as it came on, the fear dissipates, and I laugh. I don’t know why I had felt so apprehensive. Clearly he’d listened to what I said about botany and plants and was just trying to find a good fit for me.
“All right, all right!” I smile at him and he looks relieved. “I’ll call.”
“Glorious.” He returns my smile.
