Page 32 of Help Wanted

She knew very well what came from fooling around—even allegedly—with a superior. Unemployment, misery, and her brother’s sofa.

It would be even worse if she lost this job. She really liked it. She enjoyed the challenge of finding ways to improve and be more efficient. And as much as she complained about the solitude, it was nice not having someone hovering over her second-guessing everything she did.

This job was perfect. She needed to make sure she didn’t jeopardize it.

* * *

The next morning Zane was there as expected. She tried to leave him alone, but couldn’t help herself. Twice she came up with some lame reason to go into his office so she could interact. She bounced some ideas off him and took notes on future projects. She was doing it. She was establishing a business relationship with her boss.

Before lunch he came out to say goodbye.

“I’ll be back next week. I’ll let you know when I know.”

“Okay. Do you want me to drive you to the airport?” she offered, not wanting him to leave yet. Now that they were working together so well, she wanted to keep up the momentum.

“No. But thanks.”

“See you next week.” She noticed a brief hesitation before he left, only to come right back.

“You’re doing a great job. Please don’t think I haven’t noticed.”

“Thank you.” She blinked and watched as he left.

It felt as if he’d taken a big chunk of her with him. It was an overly dramatic thought, and made her laugh at the ridiculousness of it. She had a crush on her boss. She would have to find a way to keep that under control.

* * *

A week later she was still working mostly on her own, but now Zane would actually speak to her on the phone. He gave her more responsibilities, which helped, but they still didn’t keep her busy enough for her liking.

Her home life was just as bad. She’d worked long hours at her last job, and while she enjoyed the idea of having her evenings to herself to do whatever she wanted, she still didn’t know what it was she wanted to do.

She joined a gym, but she could only work out for so long. Most nights she found herself sitting in front of the television or reading until it was late enough to go to bed without it being a disorder. She had never been so rested and restless at the same time.

“New Haven Custom Boats,” she answered cheerfully the next morning.

“Hey, Kenley, it’s me. Can you do me a big favor?” Zane asked.

“Sure.”

“Go into my office,” he instructed. She carried the cordless phone into his office.

“I’m here.”

“Go to my desk. In the bottom left-hand drawer there is a box of pictures.”

“Yep.” She frowned at the shoebox stuffed full with photos. Some had fallen out, some were about to.

“In the front there should be a picture of a ratty green door.”

She flipped through the beginning of the stack, noticing they were all images of boat parts.

“Green door. Brass doorknob?”

“Yes. That’s it. Can you scan it to me? I think I wrote the size on the back. I need that too.”

“Sure. I’ll do it now.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.”