AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think I discovered why meeting out of the office is necessary,” Ian whispered to her as Jenkins and Huang chatted about their children.
“Oh?”
“Some people are just more relaxed in a social setting. It allows all parties to open up more than they might otherwise.”
“Yeah, but only if they can get access.”
“Then I suppose the fight is not to keep people from golfing but to make sure as many people as possible can get access.”
She tilted her head back, curious, like a little bird, and looked at him with a slow blink. “Do you really believe that?”
“It seems like the most logical conclusion to our conflict.” Ian touched her back and guided her down the course. She stiffened, slightly, and he moved his hand. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. It’s just…” Hazel swallowed. “It’s nothing. I appreciate being here. I’ve learned so much.”
“I’m pleased. And I think you’ve brought something to this book project that I never would have gotten from my other writers, unfortunately. Not that they couldn’t do it, but they wouldn’t think to ask, and neither would I.” Ian paused, letting Jenkins and Huang walk ahead of them. “I’d like for you to continue to work for me after this semester. I believe we’d both get a great deal out of it.”
“I mean, I’d love to, but I have to do my Capstone Internship next semester. I don’t know that I’ll have time to do both on top of finishing my coursework.”
Ian rolled his eyes. “You could do your internship with me.”
“No, I can’t.” Hazel shook her head and laughed softly. “It’s for the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major, and it has to have something to do with a program that benefits the community in some way.”
“Women work at my company,” he suggested. “You could do your analysis of how women feel about working for Cartwright & Benton.”
Hazel lowered her head and covered her mouth. He looked down at her with a frown.
“Do you find that amusing?”
“You don’t want me to analyze how women at your company feel about their jobs.”
“Why not?”
Hazel sighed and crossed her arms. “You have quite the history of scandal, Dr. Cartwright. Do you really want me asking questions about your employees and stirring things up?”
“Do you really think I harass my employees? I have certainly dated plenty of women, and I have had—” Ian paused to cringe. “Two failed marriages. But I don’t come on to my employees.”
“You don’t? Not ever?”
Ian raised a brow. What was she insinuating? Did she know how attracted he was to her? She didn’t act as though she did, most of the time.
“If you don’t want to work for me after this semester, simply say so, Hazel.”
“I do. I just have to work for the Atlanta Area Women’s Center. I already turned in my Capstone proposal.” Hazel bumped her shoulder against Ian’s. “Don’t be mad. I like this job. I just want to graduate, too.”
“Hm.” Ian fixed a glare on her, but then looked away and started walking again. “Maybe we can work something out. I don’t think the book will be finished by the end of the semester. You have midterms now, and finals of course.”
Hazel groaned. “No, I do. I have an Intersectionalities paper due on Friday.”
“Then why in the world are you here with me?”
Hazel shrugged and tugged on the front of her hat. “The happening club wear?”
Ian scoffed. He caught up to Jenkins and Huang, who were looking back at them curiously.
“If you’ll pardon us, my associate needs to get going,” he told them.
“What?” Hazel objected.
“Go write your paper, or I’ll fire you,” Ian said. He was only half teasing.
Hazel rolled her eyes. “I have the research done already.”
“Of course you do, you little speed-reader. Just go. I’ll see you in class tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Hazel stepped towards Jenkins and Huang to shake their hands. “It was good to meet you. Keep this one on his toes, won’t you?”
“We definitely will,” Huang said.
She walked back down the path, hurrying just a little.
“Nice,” Jenkins said.
“What?” Ian clenched his fist. “What did you say?”
“She’s something,” Jenkins added. He folded his hands on top of his golf club and shook his head. “Wish I could have a sweet thing like her following me around every day. And she’s in your class, too? Boss and teacher. I bet she’d do anything you wanted.”
