Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2)(87)

Tory looked at her quizzically.

“I thought you were one of the random guys who keeps asking me to dance. I didn’t know it was you…” As his expression cleared, replaced by a smile, she quickly continued, now trying to hide her lack of professionalism, “I assume you mean Sean, and he went to talk shop with John.”

Tory tsked, “A woman should never be left unattended.”

“I can’t imagine your Emily would let you get away with saying that in her presence.”

Tory laughed, “God no. Are you kidding? She would say it was men who needed supervision. What I meant was that a gifted, hard-working woman should never be unattended when she is just starting her career. How are things monetarily with your current employment?”

“Oh. Well, in fairness, I haven’t asked for an increase. Yet.”

“No. However, you are doing the work of a Senior Researcher, or even Research Manager, if what I hear is true, and getting paid like a newly hired analyst.”

Who’s he been talking to? “True, but I’ve just proven myself and now have a bartering chip.”

“You are loyal, I see. Another good quality. But this is business. You need to look toward your best interest.”

“How would you feel if an employee of yours was stolen by someone else?”

“I would feel like I missed something, find out what the employee is really worth, and possibly make a counter-offer. I am an excellent judge of worth, Miss Marshall.”

“And probably even better at figuring out what an employee will settle for?”

Mr. Hartling laughed, “Yes, exactly. So you must judge whose hands you are safest in.”

“Well, I trust Sean implicitly. I trust him to fight for what I am really worth. I also trust him to be honest with me if he can’t get it. He has backed me from the beginning—made me what I am now. And yes, I am loyal to those loyal to me. I will stick with him for now and see what he can do. Besides, you don’t need a researcher.”

“You’re right, I don’t need a researcher. What I need is a leader who is a good manager, a good debater, and a loyal asset. Your role would entail meeting with marketing researchers, like yourself, to determine the value of their work. You are extremely thorough. I also hear you have overly high expectations. You would be a real asset to me. You would see through people like you, and you would eat up anything less.”

That did sound tempting.

He went on, “And as for our young McAdams making you what you are ... he merely saw you for what you are, and gave you an opportunity. It shows remarkable insight on his part. It also shows he is a good manager, and uncommonly good at what he does. He would be a good asset to acquire, too. Difference between the two of you is he knows his value. He plays the game. At present I can’t offer him what he is about to gain. So I have to hold off. You, however...”

“I, however, am safest with Sean for now. I owe him a chance to at least make an offer.”

Tory looked at her shrewdly. He was a man who got what he wanted in business matters. So was Sean. It was one against the other. The problem was, Tory had deeper pockets.

“Okay. For now, I say okay. But I think I have tempted you. You are smart, educated and ambitious. You also have school loans, if I’m not mistaken. Sometimes, at the end of the day, the important thing becomes paying off your debt.”

And with that, Tory walked away, drink in hand.

Krista felt drained. Being an adult was tough stuff sometimes. She didn’t even think he was trying to win her just yet. It seemed more like he was trying to gauge her, first to see if she was worth taking, and second, to see what it would take to get her. She felt elated that he would even be curious. That had to be something, right?

Krista took her drink and wandered around until she found the exit, avoiding the dance floor entirely, and walked out onto a good-sized balcony. She went to the edge, half thought of throwing herself off, and instead leaned on it and looked over the city. It was chilly outside—it was always some state of chilly in San Francisco—but it felt good to have some air. And some space.

“Krista.”

“AH! Why do people insist on sneaking up on me?!”

Sean stopped next to her at the railing, humor in his eyes. “It isn’t sneaking so much as walking. You simply don’t pay attention.”

“Hmm,” she turned back to the night, feeling comfortable with his presence next to her.

“I saw Tory talking to you.”

“He is trying to claim me for his second wife.”

“I am aware he is trying to claim you. I am also aware of why you turned him down. So far. Judy overheard.”

“Jesus. Judy and Marcus chose the wrong profession. They should be private eyes. But Tory hasn’t offered me anything. There was nothing to turn down. I figured I would say something to you, and see what you said.”

“Do you really trust me that much, Krista? After what I have done to you?”

This stopped her up short. It wasn’t the direction she thought he would go.

“Look, Sean... In answer to your question, yes I trust you that much. Of course I do. You’ve never led me wrong. I trust that.”

“But I have--”

“Sean, seriously,” she interrupted testily. His face was a mask of guilt and pain. It was enough bullshit from one man for a lifetime. “In matters of the heart, you have your problems, and they are coming between us, sure, but you are keeping me away because you think that puts me out of harm’s reach. It logically doesn’t make sense, because it hurts every time I see you and can’t touch you, or hold you, or comfort you, but the heart isn’t logical, and you can’t see how absurd you are being, so I just have to grin and bear it. It has nothing to do with the kind of trust I have in you.