Читать книгу Always The Best Man - Michelle Major, Michelle Major - Страница 10

Chapter Four

Jase reached for the file folder on the far side of his desk just as he heard Emily call his name. His hand jerked, knocking over the cup of leftover coffee that sat on another stack of papers, dark liquid spilling across the messy top of his desk.

“Damn,” he muttered, grabbing the old towel he’d stuffed under the credenza behind him. This wasn’t the first time most of his work papers had been dyed coffee brown. The mug had been half-empty so this cleanup wasn’t the worst he’d seen. He quickly wiped up the spill, then moved the wet files to the row of cabinets shoved along the far wall.

By the time he turned around, Emily stood inside the door to his office. Her blue gaze surveyed the disorder of his office before flicking back to him. “Is it always this bad?”

He kicked the dirty towel out of sight behind his desk. “I’ve got things under control. It only looks like chaos.”

She arched a brow. “Right.”

Jase hadn’t seen Emily since she’d walked away from him Saturday night. Letting her go had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but Emily wasn’t the same proud, confident girl she’d been in high school. Whatever had happened when her marriage fell apart had left her bruised and tender. Jase had always been a patient man, and if she needed him to go slow he could force himself to honor that.

She didn’t appear fragile now. This morning Emily wore a tailored skirt suit that looked like it cost more than the monthly rent on his office space. It was dark blue and the hem stopped just at her knee. Combined with low heels, a tight bun and a strand of pearls around her neck, Jase could imagine her on the stage next to her ex-husband, the perfect accessory for a successful politician.

He wanted to pull her hair loose, rip off the necklace that was more like a collar and kiss her until her skin glowed and her mouth turned pliant under his. Until he could make her believe she was more than the mask she wore like a coat of armor.

“Why haven’t you hired a new secretary?”

He blinked, the question as much of a surprise as her appearance in his office. “I don’t need one.”

“Even you can’t believe that.” She nudged a precariously balanced pile of manila folders with one toe, then bent forward to right it when the stack threatened to topple.

“I haven’t had time,” he said, running a hand through his hair and finding it longer than he remembered. A haircut was also on his to-do list. “I did some interviewing when Donna first retired. She took a medical leave when her husband had a heart attack, and then they decided to simplify their lives and working here got cut. But she’d been with the practice when I took it over and ran this place and my life with no trouble at all. If I hire someone new, I’ll have to train them and figure out if we can work together and...” He paused, not sure how to explain the rest.

“Let me guess.” She arched a brow. “The women applying for the job think they’re also interviewing for the role of your wife?”

“Maybe,” he admitted, grabbing the empty coffee cup from his desk and walking toward her. There were plenty of single men in Crimson, so it was an irritating mystery how he’d ended up on the top of the eligible bachelor list. He didn’t have time for dating, and even if he did...

“It would have been easier if Donna had helped screen the applicants.”

One side of her mouth curved even as she rolled her crystal-blue eyes. “Because you have trouble hurting their feelings.”

“You think you’ve got me all figured out.”

She shrugged. “You’re nice, Jase. Not complicated.”

He touched the tip of one finger to her strand of pearls. “Unlike you?”

She sucked in a breath and stepped back so he could pass. There was a small utility sink in the kitchenette off the hallway, and he added the cup to the growing pile of dirty dishes. When he turned around, Emily was standing behind him, holding four more mugs by their handles.

“You forgot these.”

He sighed and reached for them. Add washing dishes to the list.

“I appreciate the social call, but was there a reason you stopped by?” He turned and moved closer, into her space. “Unless you want to continue what we started Saturday night. That kind of work break I can use.”

“No break and Saturday night was a mistake.” She frowned. “You and I both know it.”

He wanted to kiss the tension right off her face. “Then why can’t I stop thinking about how you felt pressed against me?” He dropped his voice. “The way you taste...”

Color rose to her cheeks.

“I’m not the only one, am I? You walked away but you came back.” His fingers itched to touch her. “You’re here now.”

“This isn’t a social call.” Emily straightened the hem of her jacket, looking almost nervous. “I think you should hire me.”

Jase almost laughed, then realized she was serious. “No.” He shook his head. “No way.”

“Don’t I at least get an interview?” Now her gaze turned mutinous. “That’s not fair. I can do it.” She spun on her heel and marched toward the front of his office. The space had a tiny lobby, two interior offices and a conference room. Jase loved the location just off Main Street in downtown Crimson.

The receptionist desk had become another place to stack papers since Donna’d left, and as he followed Emily toward the front door he realized how cluttered the area had become. Damn.

She picked up a thin messenger bag from one of the lobby chairs and pulled out a single sheet of paper. “My résumé,” she said, handing it to him. He stared at it, but didn’t take it from her. Her mouth thinned. “During college I was an academic assistant for two law school faculty members. I managed calendars, helped with grant proposals and assisted in the preparation of teaching materials. I’m organized and will work hard. I can come in two days this week, and then make my hours closer to full-time once Davey starts school. I’d like to be able to pick him up, but my mom can help out if you need me later in the afternoons.”

She kept pushing the résumé toward him, the corners of the paper crumpling against his stomach, so he finally plucked it out of her fingers.

“Emily,” he said softly. “I need a legal secretary.”

“Right now,” she shot back, “you need a warm body that can do dishes.”

She had a point, but he wasn’t about to admit it.

“I can do this. I can help you.” She kept her hands fisted at her sides, her chin notched up. It must have cost her to come to him like this, but Emily still made it seem like she was doing him a favor by demanding he hire her.

“This isn’t a job you want.” He folded the resume and placed it on the desk. “You’re smart and talented—”

“Talented at what?” she asked, breathing out a sad laugh. “Shopping? Planning parties? Not exactly useful skills in Crimson. Or maybe I’m good enough to kiss but not to work for you.”

He pointed at the sheet of paper. “You just told me why you’re qualified. If you can work for me, you can find another job.”

“Don’t you think I’ve tried? I spent this entire morning knocking on doors. I’m a single mom with a son who has special needs, which is a hard sell even if someone did want to hire me.” She bit down on her lip. “By the way, they don’t. Because I wasn’t nice when I was younger and that’s what people remember. That’s what they see when they look at me.”

“I don’t.”

“You’re too nice for your own good,” she said, jabbing a finger at him. “That’s why I’m here begging.” A strangled sound escaped her when she said the word begging. He studied her for crying, but her eyes remained dry. Thank God. He couldn’t take it if she started crying. “I’m begging, Jase, because I need to know I can support my son. When I left Henry, I wanted out fast so I took nothing. Hell, I’m borrowing my mom’s car like I’m a teenager again. I have to start somewhere, but I’m scared I won’t be able to take care of Davey on my own. He’s about to start kindergarten, but what if something happens? What if he—”

“He’s going to be fine, Em.” He could see her knuckles turning white even as color rose to her cheeks.

“This was a horrible idea,” she muttered, turning her head to stare out onto Main Street as if she couldn’t stand to meet his gaze another second. “I’m sorry. I’m a mess.”

Jase took a step toward her. It was stupid and self-destructive and a bad idea for both of them, but the truth was he didn’t care if Emily was a mess. He wanted her to be his mess.

* * *

Emily felt the tips of Jase’s fingers on the back of her hand. She couldn’t look at him after everything she’d said. All of the shattered pieces of herself she’d just revealed.

But her fingers loosened at his touch, and she wanted to sway into him. Somehow he grounded her and just maybe...

The front door to the office opened, a rush of fresh mountain air breezing over her heated skin. “Jase, you’re late.”

Emily whirled around to see a short, curvy woman in an ill-fitting silk blouse and shapeless skirt staring at her.

“Sorry,” the woman said quickly, glancing between Emily and Jase as she adjusted the bulky purse on her arm. “I didn’t realize you had a meeting or...”

“It’s fine,” Jase told her, stepping away from Emily. “I’ll grab my keys, and I’m ready. The Crimson Valley Hiker’s Club today, right?”

The woman nodded. “If you’re busy—”

He shook his head. “Mari, this is Emily Whitaker. She’s Noah’s sister and just got back to town. Em, Mari Simpson. Mari works at the library in town but has been kind enough to help keep me on track with my campaign.” He gave Mari a warm smile, and Emily’s throat tightened. Jase could smile at whomever he wanted. It didn’t matter only...

“He’ll be a great mayor,” Mari chirped with a bright smile of her own. While the woman wasn’t classically pretty, the smile softened her features in a way that made her beautiful. “I’m happy to do whatever I can.” Her face was sweet and hopeful. The face of a woman who would make a perfect wife. Emily forced herself not to growl in response.

“Keys,” Jase said again and disappeared into his office.

Mari continued to smile but it looked forced. “So you’re Noah’s sister?”

“I am.”

“You moved back from Boston, right?”

A simple question but Emily knew it meant that although Mari Simpson wasn’t a Crimson native, she’d been downloaded on Emily’s past and reputation in town. “Yes,” she answered, forcing herself to stay cordial. This was new Emily.

Emily 2.0. Nice Emily.

“It’s good to be close to my family and friends again.”

Mari tapped a finger to her cheek. “I think I saw your name on the application list for our reference desk opening.”

Emily nodded. “I applied at the library.”

“Too bad we filled the position already,” Mari said a little too sweetly. “Lots of talented people want a chance to live in such a great little town. We only hire people with at least an undergraduate degree. I’m sure you’ll find something.”

Emily 2.0.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she said through clenched teeth. “I think—”

“Emily’s going to work for me,” Jase said, pocketing his phone and keys as he came back into the room. He kept his gaze trained on Mari.

Her jaw dropped and Emily was pretty sure her own reaction was the same.

“Here? But I’ve heard... I thought...she’s—”

“Organized and hardworking,” Jase said, repeating Emily’s words from earlier. “Just what I need to get the office back on track.” He patted the tiny woman on the shoulder. “It’ll be easier for you, too, Mari. You won’t have to keep tabs on me all the time.”

She gave a small nod but muttered, “I don’t mind.”

Finally Jase turned to Emily. “Does tomorrow work for an official start date? I can be here by eight. We’ll keep your hours flexible until Davey starts school.” For once his eyes didn’t reveal any of his feelings. It was as if he hadn’t said no and she hadn’t broken down in an emotional rant. As if he wasn’t offering her this job out of pity.

He held out his hand, palm up. On it sat a shiny gold key. “Just in case you’re here before me.” He flashed a self-deprecating smile. “Punctuality isn’t one of my best qualities.”

No, Emily thought, he didn’t need to be on time. Jase had more important traits—like the ability to rescue distressed women with a single key.

She should walk away. He knew too much about her now. If there was one thing Emily hated, it was appearing weak. She’d learned to be strong watching her father lose his battle with cancer. She’d married a man who valued power over everything else in his life.

During her divorce she hadn’t revealed how scared she’d felt. She’d been strong for Davey. Even when she’d been nothing more than a puddle of uncertainty balled up on the cool tile of the bathroom floor. Every time she got dressed, Emily put her mask into place the same way she pulled on a T-shirt.

But she’d kissed Jase like she wanted to crawl inside his body, then pleaded for a job as if he was her only hope in the world.

When she’d left behind her life in Boston, she’d promised herself she would never depend on a man again. She’d create a life standing on her own two feet, strong and sure.

But maybe strong and sure came after the first wobbly baby step. Maybe...

Forget the self-reflection. Right now she needed a job.

Her pause had been too long, and Jase pulled back his hand, his brown eyes shuttering. She snatched the key at the last moment and squeezed her fingers around it. The metal was warm from his skin and she clutched it to her stomach. “I’ll be here in the morning,” she told him and with a quick nod to Mari, ducked out of the office before he could change his mind.

A job. She had a job.

She took a deep breath of the sweet pine air. The smell of the forest surrounding Crimson always made her think of her childhood. But now as she walked down the sidewalk crowded with tourists, the town seemed a little brighter than it had been when she’d first returned.

A text came through from her mother, telling her Davey had fallen asleep on the couch so Emily should take her time returning home. What would she do without her mom? She hated asking for help when Meg had recently come through her own health scare, but her mother insisted she loved spending time with her grandson.

Baby steps. A job. Davey starting kindergarten. After things were settled, Emily could think about finding a place of her own. Jase hadn’t mentioned a salary, and she didn’t care. The job was enough.

The weather was perfect, brilliant blue skies, bright sun and a warm breeze blowing wisps of hair across her cheek. She shrugged out of the suit jacket and folded it over her arm. Just as she walked by a small café, her stomach grumbled.

When was the last time she’d eaten at a restaurant? Not since leaving Boston and then it was always for some law firm party or campaign event. She and Henry hadn’t gone on a proper date since their honeymoon. Here in Crimson, Davey liked the quiet and routine of her mother’s house.

She sent a quick text to her mom and walked into the restaurant. It was new in town, which she hoped meant unfamiliar people. This space had been a small clothing store the last time she’d been in Crimson. The inside was packed, and she wondered if she’d even get a table in the crowded dining room. It was a disappointment, but not a surprise, when the hostess told her there was nothing available. Just as she turned to leave, someone called her name.

A woman with flaming red hair was waving at her from a booth near the front window.

“You’re Emily, right?” the woman asked as she stepped closer. “You must think I’m a crazy stalker, but I recognize you from the Fourth of July Festival. I’m April Sanders, a friend of Katie’s.”