Page 42 of Handsome Devil
There was a knock on the door, and a woman with curly blonde hair and a nose piercing popped her head in. “Hi. I’m Lizzie,” she said, a question in her voice.
“Come in,” I said, getting to my feet. “Dane Davenport.” I extended my hand as she crossed the room.
“Elizabeth James.” She shook my hand and tried to smile. “You can just call me Lizzie, though.” I had no idea if she knew who I was or why I was here, in Janelle Gorman’s office, behind her desk. Her jacket was sprinkled with rain, like she’d literally just walked into the office.
“Did I catch you at a bad time?” I asked her.
“No. I was just coming in. You’re visiting from head office?” Her tone was friendly, but her eyes kept darting around the office, like she was mentally cataloguing Janelle Gorman’s missing personal effects. Same way Devi did when she first walked in.
“Yes. Actually, I’d like to—”
The door, which she’d left ajar, shot open, and Devi rushed in like she’d just sprinted up the hall in her heels. “Hi,” she said, a little breathless. She shut the door and put her hands on her hips. “What’s going on?”
“I’m having a meeting with Ms. James,” I informed her cooly.
“Right,” Devi said, smiling at Lizzie. “I saw you coming in, and I thought I’d join.” Then her dark eyes met mine, undaunted as I stared her down.
Bullshit.More like the receptionist reported to her that I’d requested this meeting.
So, that’s how it’s going to be.
“I figured Lizzie might like a witness,” she added pleasantly, and Lizzie looked at me uncertainly.Great.Now Lizzie was scared of me. “You know, just in case.” Devi’s eyes lasered a warning at me.
Fine. Whatever. This place, with its depressing gray walls and old carpets, was more interesting with her in the room anyway.
“Good idea,” I said neutrally. “This concerns you and the rest of the staff anyway. Perhaps you can let them know.” I looked at Lizzie. “As I was saying. I’d like to offer you a promotion.”
Lizzie stared at me. Then she blinked. Then she stared some more.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Devi’s jaw drop.
“As you may have heard,” I went on, “I had to let Janelle Gorman go last night. We’ll be needing an interim manager. Just until we’re able to bring on a new, permanent manager—”
“I’ll do it,” Lizzie blurted.
I could almost hear Devi’s teeth clatter together as she snapped her mouth shut.
“To keep it simple,” I forged on, “we’ll offer you the same pay Ms. Gorman was receiving, in the form of a bonus, effective today. You can continue working from your current office. I’ll be using this office while I’m in town.”
Yep. I’d officially just decided that part.
Maybe aggravating Devi Sereda was just too pleasant a pastime to pass up.
“I’m in,” Lizzie said. “Whatever you need, I’m happy to do it.”
Now there was the enthusiasm I looked for in an employee.
I could sense Devi’s teeth grinding across the room.
“I need you to understand,” I reiterated to Lizzie, “that this position is temporary. My team will be looking for an experienced manager to take over, and there’s no telling how long the hiring process will take. When we find that person, I’ll be looking to you to step back into your role as agent at your current pay, while assisting the new manager in getting settled. I realize this might be an awkward move. But your help with this won’t go unnoticed. Once the new manager is installed, I can personally guarantee that there will be an opportunity for you to discuss a possible promotion with that individual.”
Lizzie was shaking her head in amazement. “I’d be honored. I’d love to help. And I totally get it. Temporary. No hurt feelings here. I’m just thrilled to have the opportunity to work with you, Mr. Davenport.”
And now I could practically feel Devi’s eyeballs scraping the back of her skull as she rolled her eyes.
“I appreciate it,” I said. “If you don’t mind, I have a lot to do here. I’ll have a contract sent over to you. And I’ll have the bonus authorized immediately. And a little press release.”
“Press release?” Lizzie said.
