AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you sure?”
Mary’s sixty-eight, and she’s a master accountant, flawless in her work. She’s also a no-nonsense kind of woman. If Byron doesn’t like her, he isn’t going to like anyone.
“Yes, I’m sure. I think they’ll get along fine,” I say. “Hang on.” Before he can reply I place him on hold, take a deep breath, and walk into the lion’s den. He’s well aware I’m in the room. Still, he makes me wait for a full sixty seconds before he finally looks up from his computer.
“I have Zach on the line, and Mary — I’ve told you about her — is available to come in this afternoon if you can make the time.” I’m brisk and impersonal, matching the way Byron speaks to me.
His eyes narrow for a brief moment, but just as quickly, a small smile tilts his lips. “Bring her in now.” He looks back down at his computer, clearly dismissing me.
I hurry back to the phone, tell Zach to send Mary over ASAP, then pace the hall as I wait for her to show, my nerves screaming until the woman walks around the corner.
If Byron likes Mary, this game can stop, and I’ll be free to attend to my own business. I’m not foolish enough to think he’ll stop tormenting me so easily, but at least it can be done after business hours.
Though Mary arrives quickly, Byron makes her hang out in the sitting area for nearly an hour before calling her into his office. I don’t attempt to get anything important done while I wait for the woman to walk back out. If I was a nail-biter, I’d be down to stubs.
Only fifteen minutes into the interview Byron’s door opens and Mary steps out, looking less than pleased, and I know this isn’t going to work. I can send in a hundred people, but Byron isn’t going to hire any of them. He’s wasting their time right now.
Still, I have to ask. “What do you think, Mary?”
“I don’t understand how you can work for that man. He sat there stone-cold and asked me a few questions, then stared at his computer screen for a while before thanking me and sending me on my way. I’ve never been so insulted in my life.” Mary has one hand on her hip, and she’s clutching her briefcase with the other.
“He might be having a bad day. You’re exceptional at what you do, Mary. Once he’s had time to think about it, I’m sure he’ll realize you’re exactly what’s required for this job.”
I’m hoping and praying I won’t lose such a valued employee over this. Mary could’ve retired five years ago, but she works because she loves to. She’s a widow and says it’s much nicer to be out with other people than to sit at home alone, hoping for a visit from the grandkids.
“I don’t know that I’d accept at this point,” she says. “I enjoy coming to work. And the past two months atyourbusiness have been satisfying. I have a feeling, however, that I wouldn’t enjoy coming here at all, even if it were only for a few weeks.” And with that, Mary turns and walks out.
Crap! Going to the bathroom first to refresh my lip gloss and take some deep breaths, I make my way back to Byron’s office, pausing outside his door before stepping inside.
This time I don’t wait for him to acknowledge my presence. “That was a quick interview,” I say with too much false cheer in my voice.
“She isn’t a good fit.”
Gritting my teeth, I count to ten. “Why?”
“I can read people, and though she has an excellent curriculum vitae, she wouldn’t be a good fit for Astor Construction.”
“Is anyone going to be a good fit?” I ask.
He gives me a hint of a smirk as he looks into my eyes, freezing me where I stand across from him. “Not right now they won’t, McKenzie. You’re stuck here.” I wonder for how long.
A shudder passes through me. I’m never going to survive this. With no way to respond, I wrench my gaze away from his mesmerizing eyes and leave his office. The day isn’t even half over, and I desperately need a drink. Happy hour can’t come soon enough.
Chapter Seven
McKenzie
My eyes are barely open as I pull into my driveway and sit in the car for a few minutes just to catch my breath. I need to paste a smile on my face and pretend I’m not burning the candle at both ends. Long ago someone told me if you smile past the pain, you’ll eventually make a real smile appear, so it’s my goal to turn my lips up no matter how upset I am. I also need to remember there’s a reason I’m doing all that I’m doing.
I’m barely able to pull myself from the car, and my stomach rumbles with hunger as I drag myself up the short path to my front door. I fumble around on my keychain until I find the right key, slip it into the lock, and turn it. Before I’m able to open the door, a voice speaks from behind me that sends a chill down my spine.
“You’re looking mighty fine, McKenzie.”
That voice! For years that voice has given me nightmares, haunted me in ways I fear will never go away. I hoped I’d heard it for the last time when I changed cities. It’s the voice of the man who ripped away my innocence, something I can never get back.
Anxiety fills me, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of showing it. He’s a part of my past I prayed I’d never have to face again. I should know the past is never truly forgotten, though.
Turning, I find him with a lit cigarette dangling from his puffy lips. Though the voice is exactly the same as I remember, the man is nearly unrecognizable. Time hasn’t been good to him. Over the last ten years he’s grown larger, in a bloated, beached-whale kind of way. His eyes have also changed. They’re dull and lifeless — drugs and alcohol have obviously not been kind to him.
