Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I mull all of this over on my ride in, and just after I park my car in the lot, my phone rings. It’s an HR director I met through a professional association, and I have flashbacks to the trap I set for Charles when the woman tells me she’s calling about a job opening.
“I remember you saying your contract was only for six months, and I figure you must be job hunting now,” she says.
I should be job hunting, but I’ve been dragging my feet, and I know the reason is that I’m going to miss seeing Derek and Jansen every day. On the other hand, when I get another job, I’ll be free to date them without violating any rules. If they want to date me, that is.
Another reason I haven’t looked for my next job yet is that I really like working at Community Bean. I knew the position would be a challenge and would boost my resume, but I never expected it to be as enjoyable and fulfilling as it has been. Even the coffee is better than I thought!
But, my contract is almost over, and I can’t stay and carry on banging my bosses several times a week.
“We’re creating a deputy director position,” the woman says. “You don’t have quite as much experience as the title might typically require, but the work you’ve been doing at Community Bean is very impressive, and I think you’d be a good fit.”
“Oh, okay. Thank you. I’m definitely interested, but I still have a month left here.”
“I can work with that, but I’m hoping you might be able to start sooner.”
“Are you offering me the job?”
“I am. This new position reports directly to me, and you’re the first person I thought of.” She proceeds to tell me more about the opportunity, and I can’t help but think that this is the universe looking out for me. This is exactly what I need to separate my personal and professional lives, and the timing is close to perfect.
“I’ll think it over, though I’m definitely very interested. I’ll also see what I can do about bumping up my availability.”
As I take the elevator up to the office, I’m thinking about this new discussion that I need to have with Derek and Jansen. I don’t expect them to have an issue with me leaving before my six months are up. I don’t have any big projects left. I’ll just need to find my replacement, but I’m caught up on staffing in other areas.
I decide there’s no time like the present, so before I even go to my own desk, I head over to the executive offices. I take it as another sign from the universe when neither of the men are on calls and amazingly, they don’t appear to be stressed this morning.
“Do you have a few minutes to talk?” I ask Jansen, and then Derek.
Jansen follows me over to his partner’s office and closes the door, which immediately gives me a tingly feeling in my belly, but I do my best to ignore it.
“Everything okay?” Derek’s eyes search my face.
“Yes … things are good actually. I just need to talk to you about my future plans.”
Two sets of brows lift. Derek, who’s come around to stand in front of his desk, leans back against it, while Jansen stays near me. “As you probably know, the end of my contracted time is coming up in a month—”
Jansen’s brow furrows. “Your what?”
“You’re not under any contract,” Derek says.
“Well, not an official contract, but a six-month term of employment is what we agreed to when I started, and I wanted to talk to you about it, because I just received a job offer this morning.”
Neither of them speaks for a long moment, but the way their expressions change tells me that whatever they’re thinking isn’t good.
“We assumed you’d be staying on,” Derek says finally.
Now I’m the one looking confused. “Why would you assume that?”
I’m on the receiving end of two frowns, and this time, I’m definitely taking it personally.
“You understand why I can’t stay on here, don’t you? Though I’ve been grateful for the opportunity, I’ve never stopped feeling like I got this job for the wrong reasons. What I’ve been doing with you is highly unethical, and the only way I manage to sleep at night is because I remind myself this position is temporary.”
“Still? That’s still bothering you?”
The irritation in Derek’s voice catches me off guard and before I can address it, Jansen cuts in. “You’re not taking the other job.”
“What?” His abrupt command hits me so hard, I actually stagger backward a step.
“You already have a job here. Turn down the offer.”
“Are you actually serious right now?” Telling me to unbutton my shirt is one thing; dictating my career path is quite another.