CHAPTER 4

Mandy got the call from Carl two days later. “First of all, I’d like to apologize for how we met,” he said after pleasantries were exchanged. “It was not my intention to disrespect you, or anyone else, in any way. I’m sorry for Stephen’s behavior.”

Mandy sat up and set her laptop aside. “You don’t need to apologize.” She wanted this job, but she would not act like the weak, insecure person Carl probably thought she was. “You’re not responsible for Stephen’s behavior. He’s, well... Stephen.”

“He’s an asshole,” Carl said bluntly. “I hope we can move forward and you won’t be insulted when I offer you an interview for tomorrow at two. The interview has nothing to do with Stephen. Your resume’s impressive and ideal for this position.”

That’s not the only thing ideal for this position. You need someone un-pretty. Mandy grimaced and thought about the money she would make. You can move out of the basement. “All right,” she said, trying to sound professional and unbothered. “Tomorrow should work. Where would you like to meet?”

“At my office. I’m emailing you the address and directions right now,” Carl said. “Thank you, Ms. Connors. I’ll see you then.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow at two.” She hung up just as email pinged, telling her she had a new message from Carl. She smiled at his promptness and then opened the email. With the directions and address was also the job description and benefits. She grinned when she saw the top benefit: a two-bedroom apartment only three blocks from Carl’s office and a salary double what she had earned at her last job. There was no way she was letting this job slip through her fingers.

The following afternoon, Mandy made sure to be at Carl’s office fifteen minutes early. She wore a brand-new suit that didn’t look fantastic, but it didn’t look half bad in her opinion. She had set her blonde curls wound tight in a conservative bun. She couldn’t resist putting a little bit of makeup on to hide the dark circles under her eyes and a touch of color on her lips. Not enough to make it obvious, but enough to make her look somewhat presentable. After barely sleeping the night before, she had looked like hell when she got up that morning. Only some artificial fixes would cover up the bulk of the damage. She wasn’t too worried. Carl Salvo didn’t need a pretty girl, he needed someone efficient. Mandy could do that.

“Mr. Salvo will see you in a moment,” a skinny secretary told her.

Mandy sat down in a chair in the waiting area and looked around the immaculate office building. It was far grander than the one she had worked in before. The floors and ceilings were made with white and black marble with beautiful paintings both classical and modern adding splashes of color to the wall. All of it had to cost a fortune. Did Carl own all of this? She had already guessed that he was well off, but this was positively extravagant. Her mouth went dry as she realized she had no idea what Carl exactly did or what his position was in the company. She should have done her homework. Idiot!

Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing. She jumped at the sound and grabbed it out of her purse. “Claudia, not now,” she hissed.

“I’ll make this quick,” her sister said. “Did you send out the invitations yet?”

“Not yet, the envelopes haven’t even arrived. I thought you said you haven’t finalized the guest list yet.”

“Mandy,” she whined. “You were supposed to help me with that last week, remember? You have no idea how stressful all of this wedding stuff is. I need to—”

Carl appeared in the doorway of his office, one dark eyebrow arched in a way that could cause fear and swooning at the same time. He leaned against the doorframe, his expensive business suit pulled up by his arms as he crossed them, showing off a gold pair of cufflinks.

Mandy had no idea how long he had been standing there. “Claudia, I have to go.” Mandy jabbed at the end button, trying to get the sound of her sister’s angry complaining voice to stop echoing off the waiting room windows. She hit the speaker button instead of end. Claudia’s voice rang out clearly, “You’re so freakin’ incompetent! Now I’m just going to have to take care of–” Mandy managed to hit end before her sister had a chance to finish.

Face burning, Mandy shoved her phone back into her purse and brought her head up to look at Carl. She didn’t have the courage to let her eyes meet his. “Sorry, Mr. Salvo,” she mumbled. “My sister’s having a mid-day crisis.”

“Apparently not that severe if you can hang up on her for the sake of an interview.”

Mandy flushed a deeper shade of red and struggled to keep her expression neutral. “It was resolved quickly,” she said. She wanted to smile but pressed her lips tight to prevent the corners of her mouth from curling up. “Thank you f

or making the time to see me today.”