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“You’re cold,” he said, his low voice burring as he fixed me with that impenetrable stare.
“It’s a little chilly out,” I said.
“It’s warm in here,” he said, his eyes fixed on mine. “You’re nervous.”
“Guess I am, a little,” I said. Then, I snapped myself out of my daydream and tried to act professionally. “Jamie Reed. Your new social media strategist.”
It was a corny old line I’d picked up working a corporate job in Boston. I’d read somewhere that you were more likely to get a job if you introduced yourself as the hiring manager’s ‘new’ employee. But Eric wasn’t fooled.
“That remains to be seen,” he replied. “Sit down.”
I did as I was told, sliding into the comfortable chair on the other side of his desk. Eric returned to his chair, undid his black blazer, and sat down.
“So, how long have you been working in the city?” he said.
“Three years,” I said. “I was working forConnectSolutions.”
“And what made you want to come to work for me?” purred Eric, leaning back a little in his chair. My eyes couldn’t help but look at the enormous hand which had gripped mine so gently just a moment ago. I studied the muscular outline of his body, which was shown off so well by the elegantly tailored suit he wore.
“Well, the company closed recently, and—”
“Closed?” he interrupted, with a sharp edge to his warm, rich voice I hadn’t heard before.
“That’s right,” I said.
“Why?”
“We went into administration this month.”
“So, let me get this straight,” growled Eric. “You were working as a strategist for a PR firm that has just closed shop. And now you’d like to come to work for me?”
“That’s right,” I gulped.
Eric raised an eyebrow questioningly. His skin was smooth and dark. He looked way younger than my dad. Even though there couldn’t be more than two or three years difference between them.
“Let’s think this through logically,” he said. “I’m looking to hire someone for a job. And I want them to succeed in that job. Their previous employment is one of—if notthe—best ways of assessing their performance.
“Right,” I said.
“So why should I hire someone who’s failed?” said Eric softly.
“Excuse me?” I replied.
“You heard me,” replied Eric.
I couldn’t believe it. His arrogance had completely blindsided me. “Your dad told me you were good at your job. But I don’t just employ someone based on their family history, Jamie. I employ people based on their results.”
“It’s not my fault that the company went bankrupt,” I spluttered.
“There’s only one reason a company fails. And that’s the people who work for it.”
“That’s not true!” I said indignantly.
“Isn’t it?”
“I was one of the top-performing strategists,” I said, my mind rushing to justify myself. I didn’t know why I was so eager to impress him when he’d been so hostile. “I managed accounts for the company which totaled over a million dollars.”
“And yet, here you are.”
