Back in the Saddle (Jessica Brodie Diaries #1)(70)

“Oh. Great! I really like it there. The company is good to its employees so it is a really nice working environment. Thank you for asking.”

“And how do you find your bosses?”

“I just have the one—Mr. Nash. He is okay. He pretty much just tells me what he needs and I figure out a way to get it for him. It’s pretty easy work. I’ve asked for more responsibility but no one has any at the minute, so…”

Tom nodded and looked at William, who also nodded. It occurred to me that I might’ve missed an important part of the conversation.

Tom began again. “The business is growing so it is a good possibility there will be new, higher level positions opening up. I’ve heard you might qualify for some of those. You should consider applying to see if your skills fit our needs.”

Our needs?

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I must have missed something. Forgive me if I sound dense, but…how exactly do you fit into the business?”

Tom’s eyes widened in surprise. He looked at William again, making me want to scream at him to stop turning to William for answers. William slightly shook his head. Tom looked at Gladis, who didn’t move at all, then back to me.

“Oh. Well. I had thought someone told you by now. Well…I own the company. My family does, I mean.”

Well. Fuck me right up the backside. Wait, let me bend over first—make it easy on you.

My eyes must have looked like saucers and my mouth hung open. If I had a big tongue, it would have rolled out over my teeth and hung down the side of my chin.

I tried to recover quickly, but I just didn’t know what to say. I looked at William, changed my mind, and jerked my head to Tom while I said, “Well, good thing I like my job or I might have said something negative. Ha ha.”

That seemed to ease the tension somewhat.

Someone might have mentioned his ownership—like freaking Candace! I was gonna kill her! Gladis would be getting yelled at again, too!

In the meantime I went numb. Nail in the coffin.

“Anyway,” Tom continued, “I've heard a lot of great things about your work performance. You've been with us a short time, but already it seems you’ve out grown your current position. There is room for you to advance, should you choose to.”

“Great!” I said enthusiastically. “If I am still in the area I will definitely apply for any positions that fit my growing skill set. Thank you for the acknowledgement.”

My smile couldn’t get any cheesier.

“If you are in the area?” William asked evenly.

My eyes automatically found his. With my new state of numbness, I could appreciate his appearance without any negative emotions. His new haircut really suited his face. The dark of his hair accented the light of his eyes. At the moment they seemed to glow. He was so handsome it made my mouth water.

“I might be going back to L.A.. Or to Australia. I’m leaning toward Australia but haven’t made a final decision.”

Gladis cleared her throat, drawing my eyes. She spoke up in the calm tone she saved for when she was mad in public. “You haven’t mentioned this to me.”

I took a subtle, but deep, breath. “I haven’t confirmed my plans yet. I might stay here, I’m not sure. I would, of course, give everyone plenty of advanced notice.” I touched everyone of note with my gaze.

“You haven’t been here long. Why would you leave so soon?” Denise asked with mild curiosity.

“Uh, well, I do love the area, I just don’t know that I am fitting into it as well as I could. It could just be the culture shock from L.A.. I really don’t know. Again, I haven’t decided anything yet. I am still weighing all my options.”

“Well,” Tom said, “I do hope you stay. Either way, young people have to see the world. You have three weeks of vacation, so that's an option as well.”

William’s eyes were boring into me as he said, “You have a lot of friends here that would hate to see you go. You should think of them before you make any final decisions.”

I blinked at him. Uh...I guess, but not really. Candace and Gladis. JP might get a twinge of sadness that he lost his lunch buddy, but that was about it. It was an odd comment with no warmth. Actually, it was a touch hostel. I really didn’t need that kick while I was lying face down in the preverbal mud.

Denise was looking at him in slight confusion.

I nodded. Time to go.

I excused myself from Gladis and everyone and headed out the door. It might have been rude, but I really didn’t care at that moment. I made up my mind--Australia it is!

When I got home, which was a touch and go affair with my dying car, I took a shower and rooted around in my closet for a pair of sweats. I couldn’t find the stupid things, but I did stumble upon one of my skinny dresses from before I moved to Texas. It was one of those dresses that you couldn’t bear to throw away because it was so cute, but that ten pounds of “water weight“ that never went away prevented you from squeezing into it.

I took it out for kicks. I had lost some L-Bs and toned up from all my time at the gym so I figured I would benchmark my progress. The dress had always been dicey to get into because it was form fitting with unyielding fabric. Tight in the waist for an hour glass look, snug in the chest to push out the cle**age, and the cut lengthened and accentuated the legs. When it fit, it made me look like a million dollars! I wore it once and got some serious looks from a bunch of the guys. I eventually ruined the magic by puking on my shoes.