Dirty Little Secrets (Dirty Little #1)(56)
Ben’s office is a little more subdued than the rest of the workspace, looking a lot like what you’d expect a CEO’s office to look like, with the exception of his wall decor. Instead of hanging up high-end art, Ben has opted to display prototype gaming systems covered with plexiglass. It’s a fun space, but you get the definite impression that this is a place where the boss works.
From what he’s told me about the company so far, it seems as if Ben likes to foster a pleasant work environment, and isn’t set on having his employees follow a rigid schedule from nine to five. People here are encouraged to collaborate and nurture each other’s ideas. If I’m going to leave the world of consulting, this is the type of company that I want to work at.
It’s funny, when I walked into this building for my interview today, I wouldn’t have been heartbroken if I didn’t get this job. After seeing the space, and meeting some of the employees, I definitely want this job. Wanting it as badly as I do is what is making the pace at which Ben is reviewing my work even more maddening. He’s scrolling through the screens, clicking, and making faces that I don’t know him well enough to decipher. I think they’re good, but I have no idea. He asks me questions occasionally, like why I omitted a feature, or what made me choose to code something a particular way. Apart from that, he’s mostly silent, engrossed in his work.
“I’m really impressed with you, Mia,” he finally says, and relief washes over me. “You developed all of this software on your own?”
“Yes,” I say, nodding. “That’s all work that I did on my own.”
“Wow. Some of this is incredibly advanced work. You do have some areas where you can improve.”
I’m still young, still fresh out of college, so I’m not surprised to hear him say this. I definitely have my weaknesses. I won’t lie and say it doesn’t sting a little to hear the words out loud, though. I appreciate that Ben is willing to be honest with me, and that he’s not pulling any punches because we know each other personally.
“As you know,” he says, leaning his elbows on his desk, “Williams is a leader in the industry, and we’ve got several large projects in development. I’ve got teams in place for all but one, and that’s what I’d like your help with.”
“Okay,” I reply, anxious to hear about this project. I know before he starts talking that I’m going to want to work on it. I want to learn anything I can from the developers that he’s hired to work here.
He describes the challenges that they’re running into with this particular client, and his needs fit well with some of my skill areas. I’d also be working with some engineers who can help fill in the gaps in my knowledge base.
“I’m a firm believer in working your way up, Mia,” he explains. “But this work you’ve been doing on your own is well above entry level. I don’t think you’re ready to lead your own team yet, but I don’t want you to waste away on the bottom rung of the ladder. I’d like you to work on the development team; I think that’s where you’d learn the most, and be the biggest asset to the company and the project.”
“Okay,” I reply, trying not to sound as excited as I feel. “And this is purely based on my work and my potential, not the fact that I’m dating your best friend?”
Ben grins at me. “Oh, it’s definitely based on the content of your work. The fact that you’re dating my best friend actually lowers my opinion of your decision-making skills,” he replies with a playful wink.
I can’t help but laugh.
“So,” he says, reaching into his desk and pulling out a sticky note. He uncaps a pen and starts writing. “I’m going to have HR put together a formal offer package for you. Read it over, and decide if the offer is fair and acceptable. I have a preliminary offer as far as salary goes.” He holds out the sticky note, so I can see what’s written on it.
Wow. Like…wow. It takes every bit of control I have to make sure my eyes don’t get comically large and pop out of my head looking at this number. There are six figures here. I mean, not a crazy large kind of six figures, but…six figures.
“Yes,” I reply, my voice cracking. “I think that’s fair.”
“Good.” He takes the note and sticks it on the folder that he inserted my resume into earlier. “I’m glad everything worked out.”
Ben gives me this look, this loaded look, and I realize that he’s trying to let me know that he knows about what went on between me and Jack Kemp, and possibly the whole Privya situation. I appreciate the gesture, because I wouldn’t want to worry about that coming to light every day, wondering whether I was on the verge of getting fired or not.
“I’m glad, too.”
“I’ll get that offer letter out to you as soon as I can, okay? Tomorrow, probably. Then we can discuss your start date.”
“Sounds good,” I tell him.
Ben stands up, and I follow suit. He reaches across his desk, and shakes my hand. He walks me through the office, and out into the elevator lobby.
“Do I need to bring anything to the cookout on Sunday?” he asks.
“Nope, just yourself. And maybe some backup steaks, because Caleb insists on grilling.”
Ben laughs. “That’s a recipe for disaster. You got it.”