His voice drops, quiet in a way that suddenly feels a whole lot more threatening than before.
“She hired me,” I repeat, forcing the words out evenly. “To be your assistant.” His expression goes completely blank. In a rush, I continue. “I just graduated with a finance?—”
“No.”
The single word lands like a slammed door all by itself.
“I know this might be a little bit?—”
“No,” he says again, sharper this time. “Absolutely not.”
My stomach dips, but I hold my ground. I have no other choice. “Tessa told me you are a very successful financial advisor with a lot of clients and maybe you’re a bit overwhelmed lately and?—”
“I don’t need an assistant.”
“I’ve already signed the paperwork, and I’ve relocated to?—”
“You did what?”
I gesture vaguely to my car that contains everything I own. “My things,” I say lamely. “They’re in the car. I’m prepared to start immediately.”
His gaze flicks past me for the first time, taking in my packed car, the suitcases visible through the back window. Something dark flashes across his face.
“Unbelievable.” He shakes his head and tugs on his beard. “She had no right to?—”
“She was trying to help,” I say quietly. “She’s familiar with my skill set and?—”
“I don’t need help.” His eyes lock on mine. Cold and dark. “If my daughter is so familiar with your skill set, she can hire you. There’s nothing for you here.”
Before I can react or think of my next argument, the door slams.
This time, it feels final.
Chapter Four
Lilly
I stand there for a moment,staring at the thick wood door only inches from my face, before I turn and return to my car.
I slide into the driver’s seat and shut the door, letting the lingering heat from inside warm me.
My hands start shaking the moment I place them on the steering wheel.
“Okay,” I whisper to the empty car. “It’s fine.”
It’s not fine.
My chest tightens, my breath coming too hard and fast, hot tears burn behind my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Crying won’t help. Panicking won’t help. And falling apart definitely won’t help.
I’m totally out of options.
I have nowhere to go.
No job. No place to live.
The reality settles in. I’m screwed.
I’m totally and completely screwed.
