Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Leo’s full lips press together in a smirk, and I want to punch him in the mouth, then kiss him. “Right,” he says sarcastically.
“I’m serious. I’m well-qualified for the job and I’ve just presented my strategic plan. All I have to do now is execute it.”
“And I’m serious that I employed you to be my assistant. An assistant is what I need. I have a hotel manager.”
“I’ll find you another assistant. She’ll be twice as good as me, and then I can get on with running your hotel.”
“No, Jules.” He practically growls out the words and then pulls out his cell. “I have to make a call. Let me know when the woman you have for me to meet arrives.”
I remain in my seat, numb from the realization I’ve taken my shot and so completely and utterly missed. What the actual hell do I do now? I don’t have a backup plan. He’s got my future in the palm of his hand and all the asshole is interested in is his stupid date for the awards.
He widens his eyes as if to ask me when I’m leaving his office. I gather up the papers, trying to swallow down the fist of cotton in my throat. There’s no way I’m going to let this asshole see me cry.
I exit Leo’s office and my phone buzzes in my hand. I drop all my papers onto my desk and see that it’s Sophia.
“Hey,” I say softly, blinking away my tears.
“Alright, mate,” she squarks in what she thinks is a fake Australian accent, but just makes her sound like she’s been drinking all night. “Want me to come up to the office now, mate?” I know she’s just trying to make me laugh but I’m not in the mood. I’m not in the mood to solve another problem for Leo. If he’s not going to make me manager of The Mayfair, why do I care if he gets a stupid fiancée for his awards ceremony?
But Sophia’s my friend, and a thousand dollars means she’ll be able to fly down to Florida to see Jamie the next time he’s got some time off.
I sigh. “Why not? Just tell reception you’re here to see me.” If Leo’s not going to make me manager of The Mayfair, I’m not sure where I go from here. Should I try again? Should I just give up and get a deputy manager role somewhere else and pray for promotion? I’ve had my heart set on this job for so long now, it feels like a waste just to walk away.
Fuck. That. Shit.
I can’t just accept no from him. No? Two letters, one syllable. I’m going to have to change that no to a yes somehow, or these last three months and my bad suits have all been for nothing. I swallow down my bruised pride and resolve to come up with a plan to change his mind.
SEVEN
Leo
Worth never calls me during the working day, so when I see his name flash on the screen of my phone, I pick up, even though I’m just about to meet my fiancée. At least I hope whoever she is turns out to be my fiancée.
“I’m going to cut to the chase,” he says before I even have a chance to say hello.
“Please go ahead,” I say sarcastically.
“I think this fake fiancée thing is ridiculous.”
I sigh because I don’t want to have to justify myself to Worth, of all people. He’s such an all-around good guy. I trust him. I like him. I want him on board with this idea because it’s important to me. There’s no way I’m going to the awards alone. Not when I know Caroline will be there.
“Hear me out,” he says. “I get the Caroline thing. But it will turn out to be worse if she or her father finds out it’s all been faked.”
I push my hands into my hair. “They’re not going to find out. Don’t worry about it. It’s not like we do business together. Next time anyone asks, I’ll have split up with whoever it is.”
“You might not do business directly with Hammonds, but you know New York is a small city. I’m sure real estate is a small business. The grapevine is very real. You don’t want to become a laughing stock. You don’t want the reputation of a man who faked his engagement.”
“Of course I don’t, but why would it come to that? The only people who know are you five and my assistant.”
“And whoever she’s asked to audition for the part. What’s that saying? Two can keep a secret when one of them is dead. You’re already at six by my count, plus Efa. That’s more murder than I think you’re comfortable with.”
My heart thrashes against my chest. He’s right.
“Why don’t you just take a date? You don’t have to be engaged, do you?”