Page 22 of For One Night

“Don’t worry, Carter,”—I spin on my heels—“I know exactly what to do.”

I work on ridding my thoughts of Carter’s doubts and focus more on those of my own. Mine I can do something about. His eat at me and drive me insane. Today is not the day for either, but at least I can control mine.

I walk past the elevators and down to the personnel department. It’s the same place I came to last week for the initial interview. Steadying my nerves, I take a deep breath and push the door open.

To an empty room.

“Hello?” The door swings open to my surprise.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” A tall blonde strolls through the door. “I’m Laura. Your assistant will be down in a few minutes. Until she gets here, let’s go into your office to go over a few things.”

I fight the frown on my face as I try to decipher what she means before playing along as if I understand. “Alright, after you.”

“You’ll find all passcodes and office numbers in the file pinned to the start menu. Your assistant’s name is Tina, and she’ll handle the basics until you’re settled in.” She glances up at me to check if I’m following. I am. Too well.

I lick my lips, trying to abate the fire scrambling up my throat for my husband. “I’ve got it.”

“There’s a position open in accounting, so you’ll be interviewing those on Wednesday. I thought that would give you today and tomorrow to get acquainted with our brand.” She lays a set of keys on the desk as she rounds it and walks to a filing cabinet. “All your basic supplies are in here, but all applications must be submitted via the Internet.”

I hold up a finger. “Excuse me, I have one thing I need to clear up.”

“Yes?” she smiles wide.

“Am I the new personnel manager?” My brows knit when my stomach tightens.

Her eyes are now wide, instead of her mouth. “Why, yes. Didn’t anyone tell you?”

“Considering I applied for the position of management analyst, no.” I fold my arms, trying to stop the bile rising in my throat from what I now know has happened.

She shakes her head. “You’ll find everything in your file. Since you need to complete it, you can check it out.”

“There’s no need, I’m good.”

She moves to the door, her lips quivering. She can feel the tension. “I’m going to check on Tina. If you need anything, my number is on the computer and again, I’m Laura.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine once we get started, thank you.” I force my most pleasant grin on my face.

“Wonderful.” She whirls around and is out the door as fast as she came in.

I leave the door open, hoping to keep a watch for my assistant, Tina, while I make this call. My hands tremble as I pull up the office list, and I scroll down until I spot the one I need. I dial it quickly, taping my desk as I wait.

“Mr. Eastman’s,” his assistant answers sweetly.

“Hello, Jill. This is Lola, I need five minutes with him.”

“Hello, Mrs. Eastman. Of course, please hold,” she says in her singsong way which, in turn, makes me even angrier.

“Lola.”

My nostrils flare with his tone. “You knew, didn’t you?”

His hesitance speaks volumes. “What is it in reference to?”

“I’m alluding to the fact that you’re a real asshole.”

“You need to be careful,” he says with a low growl.

I run my hand over my desk as I steady my words. “As long as we’re doing things we need to, tell me the truth.”

“You said you were willing to climb the corporate ladder.” His voice drips with sarcasm.

“I’m more than overqualified for this job, Carter.”

“So it’ll be easy for you to move up.” His teeth click together with annoyance for me.

“Move up?” My back goes ridged. “You’re right, I’ll earn my corner office.”

“That’s my girl, I know you can.”

“No, Carter. I will.” I slam the phone down without another word.