Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(40)

“Geegee, I need a wingman tonight,” Marcus declared as he escorted her back to her room. “It looks better when I have someone with me for introductions. After tonight, I’ll leave you to your sand.”

“My sand?”

“To stick your head in. Please keep up with the conversation, darling. Anyway, wear that classic black number to dinner. Keep it sophisticated. Tomorrow you should break out the slinky stuff. You have to show you’re good at your job before you reveal the ladies.”

“Marcus, I don’t need your fashion advice. And I don’t refer to my boobs as ladies, so you shouldn’t, either.”

“Prude. Kisses.”

And he was off again, leaving Krista peacefully to herself to get ready.

~*~*~*~

Sean was just out of the shower when Marcus walked in. He put on his slacks and went out into the living room area to air dry the rest of him.

“Your worst nightmare has come true,” Marcus said, stopping at the arched doorway leading into the bedroom.

“That I’ll end up like my father?” Sean asked with a laugh as he sat down on the couch and flicked on the TV.

“No. But when you figure it out, give Kate a call and ask about Krista’s choices after this weekend. I promised I wouldn’t say anything.”

Sean sat up, joking forgotten. “Krista’s choices?”

“I promised I wouldn’t say anything.” Marcus disappeared into the bedroom.

“Then why would Kate?” Sean asked in a panic.

“Because she wants to stick it to you.”

Sean wasted no time, not affronted in the least that Marcus stripped in front of him before walking into the bathroom. Seeing other men na**d in his bedroom didn’t take precedence to the horror he was feeling right then.

“This is Kate speaking.” She sounded extremely polite and helpful. Good customer service skills.

“Kate,” Sean stated, getting control of himself.

“Oh, hi Sean. What’s up?”

“Krista seems a little out of sorts today. I have a feeling she might be looking elsewhere for employment based on a couple of her comments. I was wondering if you knew anything?”

“Why don’t you ask her?”

“Usually employees don’t tell their bosses about new career ventures until it’s too late.” He should know.

“Or maybe you want a chance to come up with a manipulation technique to get her to stay?”

“Exactly, yes. So she is thinking of leaving?” Sean could barely control the alarm in his voice.

“Sean, there is no way you’ll understand this, because you are a single white male in his prime, and life is easy for people like you. Krista is a young female at the bottom of the shit heap that is this company. She is doing great in her position, but everyone with a high pay grade still talks shit. You have done nothing to help her. Now she is at that weekend thing, where she doesn’t fit in, and a bunch more ass**les will talk shit about her. Tell me—if you were her, would you want to stay?”

“But I thought she didn’t quit?”

“It isn’t quitting when you get a job with more pay, Sean. With people that will respect you. With more career advancement opportunities. No, that isn’t quitting. That is a wise business decision.”

“Where is she thinking of going?”

“You think I am going to tell you so you can call them up and ruin her prospects?”

“Kate, I am your boss,” Sean said sternly, “Please remember that I have the ability to fire you, and don’t tolerate back talk.”

“Yes, Mr. McAdams, you sure do have the ability to fire me. And if I wasn’t performing my job to your standards, I would expect that recourse. However, telling you about Miss Field’s private life doesn’t fall under my job description.”

“Please, Kate,” Sean begged quietly.

What had become of him? Asking like this, freaking out like he was, groveling to Krista’s friend. He’d never done this before in his life; he’d never put himself out there for so many people to laugh and ridicule if they wanted. He’d never exposed himself like this. All to get a girl to like him.

And the bitch of it was, he’d keep going. Because she was worth it.

“Please tell me?” Sean said again, rubbing his head. “I won’t affect her ability to move on in any way. I just—I need more information on this. I can’t lose her. I am trying to make it better for her here. I am trying to figure out a way. We just have to get through this weekend and I am confident she’ll have a gold-plated place in this company.”

Kate sighed through the phone. “Fine. Only because I like when she’s my boss—I know, I’m insane. But Sean, if you f**k her over on this, I swear I will figure out a way to f**k you over back. I will find your house and light your bushes on fire. If you think I am kidding, then you are a dumb f**king prick. Am I making myself clear?”

Sean sat down heavily, shaking his head at her trademark foul mouth. He believed her. He was actually slightly nervous. It almost made him chuckle—especially since she was barely five feet tall.

“I won’t…f*ck her over,” Sean replied. He didn’t like swearing all that much, but he thought it was necessary with her.

“Dorito’s is offering her something like a 15% raise. They want her bad. They’ll definitely go higher when she starts to negotiate. Bingley’s has heard that she is thinking about looking, also. They are probably trying to make contact to see how much she wants. By the time next week is over, it’ll be a bidding war. Everyone loves her, Sean. She kicks ass in a soft sort of way. Bosses are gaga over her.”