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“Luckily, I’m enjoying the meal... so far,” I say, taking a spoonful of soup. I’m losing my pleasure in the food, as my irritation grows.
“I don’t think they serve anything that’s less than stellar, McKenzie.” After throwing me an annoying grin, he digs into his own chowder.
“How long are you expecting me to work in your offices?” I ask when it’s obvious he isn’t going to speak again until I do.
“Until the job’s finished.”
“That isn’t telling me much. What if this emergency ends up going over a month? I can’t leave my business for that long. I can possibly fill in for a couple of weeks, maybe even a month, but there’s no way I’ll be able to work past that,” I say. If he wants more of my time, I’ll have to turn down this dream job. What good will my company’s reputation be if it falls apart because I’m working for him and not for myself?
“Thirty days will be sufficient,” he says. It’s his first compromise of the day.
“And if your current head of accounting isn’t in better health by then?” I push. I need him to agree to thirty days max, or I’m not going to go along with this.
“At that time, I suppose, I’ll consider having one of your employees come in.”
“Is there a chance that one of my employees can come in sooner than thirty days?”
He pauses for several moments as he looks at me. “Anything’s possible, McKenzie,” he says before giving me a wicked smile. “If my goals are accomplished sooner, we’ll discuss other employment options.” What in the hell does this mean?
“Thank you.” It’s like pulling teeth to get me to push these two words out. His smile widens as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. Damn him.
“Now that the initial hard work is done, I’ll order wine to go with our main course,” Byron says, holding up his hand. The waiter practically appears in a puff. Our soup’s taken away and grilled Alaskan king salmon and a glass of fruity Pinot Noir is placed before me.
With the possibility of gaining a big client without being locked to Byron’s side for an unlimited time, my appetite returns, and I thank the waiter. It’s too much of a stretch to thank Byron. The two of us discuss more precise questions and answers about his accounting problems until it’s finally time to go. Even though the meal was fantastic, the company isn’t exactly pleasant, and I have a lot to do the rest of the day, and all weekend for that matter, if I want to get any sleep at all while working in the Astor brothers’ building... once again... instead of my own.
I really should turn him down, but working with Astor Construction will look very good on my client list. This will mean I can hire more employees, make a lot more money, and build a solid reputation in Seattle for being the best of the best.
I stand, not caring if I should wait for Byron to stand first. I’m finished with business and more than finished with his company. Byron doesn’t take long to stand after I do. When he holds up his hand again and the waiter brings my coat to him, I hold back more irritation.
“Thank you,” Byron says, dismissing the man. “We’re finished here.” And I’m again left alone with the enemy.
“I appreciate you coming to us for your needs,” I say as I hold out my hand.
“You know why I came to you, McKenzie.” His tone has changed, and his eyes are burning into mine.
“Because I’m the best at my job.”
“Yes, and because I have unfinished business with you,” Byron says.
“What unfinished business are you talking about?”
He steps up close to me, his lips a firm line. He doesn’t touch me, but he doesn’t need to. This man commands a room no matter where he is or who he’s with — just as he’s commanding my feet to stay firmly planted right here where I am. I don’t like it one little bit.
“You messed with my family,” he says. “Now it’s my turn to find out if you have an ulterior motive for screwing with Blake.”
I gasp, too stunned to say a word. When I’m finally able to speak, the words come out barely above a whisper. “Is this job real?” I’m finally able to take a step back.
“Yes. If you please me in your work, I’ll back off. But I want to know what makes you tick. I don’t believe in lying, and I’m not the easiest person to work for. So, if you can’t take the heat...” He leaves the sentence unfinished. He moves a step closer to match every step I take back until I find myself against the window.
“Why should I take this job? From what you’ve said, it’s a losing battle... at least for me.”
“If you’re who I think you are, then, yes, you’ll lose.” At least he’s straightforward. But so am I.
“Then I shouldn’t take the job.”
“The choice is yours.”
I firm my shoulders. “I don’t play games, Byron.” Managing to step around him and free myself from his gaze, I look out at the picturesque view of the bay.
