did you quit?” she couldn’t resist asking.
Slowly, he faced her again, in control of his emotions. “I didn’t want to.”
Rachel didn’t press him to say more. He’d quit; he hadn’t been disqualified. He hadn’t failed the training. He’d quit. He’d aspired to be a SEAL, and something had happened to make him quit. She caught herself looking all over his face and upper torso. Sexy. Strong. A definite fit for SEAL material...but...heir to a dot-commer...
It didn’t fit.
How many pampered men like him tried out for SEAL training? Did he think he was special, or was he the real deal?
“What about you?” he asked, turning on the charm again. “All I know about you is that you’re beautiful.”
She couldn’t help smiling. What girl didn’t like compliments like that? “I graduate in May next year. Business. I’m getting my MBA.”
He whistled. “MBA? How long have you been going to school?”
“Years. I take classes when I can.” When she could afford to.
He looked at her differently now, as though he’d just learned something unexpected about her.
“What,” she teased, “haven’t you ever met a poor college student before?”
“No.”
She supposed he wouldn’t, growing up with all that money.
“How old are you?” he asked.
“Thirty-one. I started college after...” She drifted off, not meaning to take the conversation there.
“After...”
She turned to him. “That’s all you need to know...for now.”
He sat there, relaxed on the chair, comfortable, confident and wholly absorbed in her—in her sharp wit...and her looks, of course. She felt the draw to that.
“I’m thirty-seven.” He stood up. “I should get going. Call my friend. He’ll give you a job. It’s a good job.”
A good job. Would it be?
“See you soon, Rachel.” With that, he walked out of the pub without a glance back.
When he vanished from sight, Rachel picked up the card. She almost picked up her cell and called right then. Instead, she refrained. His job came with strings, invisible ones.
Rachel decided her future took precedence over her wariness of Luke. She needed a job. Her landlord came by last night, asking for rent again. This morning she called Joseph, and he told her to come meet him at two o’clock. Dressed in gray slacks and a collared white blouse, she sat in the reception area, open to four floors above, closed doors off the square and light streaming in through the atrium overhead.
A woman appeared through one of the double glass doors, walking like a runway model in her sleek black skirt suit and blouse peeking through the opening of her fitted jacket. She checked Rachel out as though sizing up the competition.
“Rachel Delany?”
“Yes.” She plastered a smile on her face and stood, reaching for the woman’s hand.
The woman looked down at her hand and then turned without taking it.
“Something I said?” Rachel muttered.
The woman didn’t glance at her so maybe she hadn’t heard.
“Do you have a name?” Rachel asked.
“Marcy Sanders,” she said without looking her way.
“Nice to meet you, Marcy.”
The woman stopped at an office and pushed the door open wider, backing out of the way to allow Rachel to pass, bestowing her with unfriendly regard as she passed.
“Thank you,” Rachel said.
Marcy shut the door.
“Rachel Delany.” The tall, trim man with salt-and-pepper hair and glasses stood from his mahogany desk and leaned across the shiny wood to extend his hand.
She took it for a brief shake. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”
“No need. My... Luke’s told me all about you. I’m happy to help out when I can.”
“This is a big way to help out. My landlord will be relieved.”
He smiled and sat down as she took a seat.
“Will I be stepping on toes taking this position?” she asked.
“Never mind Marcy. She’ll recover just fine when I tell her what she’s being compensated for shifting positions.”
“Oh, so I’m taking her job.” Rachel nodded. “Mr. Tieber, I really don’t want to—”
He held his hand up to stop her. “First, call me Joseph, and second, you aren’t taking anyone’s job. Marcy wanted to transfer anyway. She’ll be working for General Counsel.”
“Does she know that?”
“She knows she’s transferring. I haven’t told her where yet because I had to make arrangements with General Counsel first. She’ll be happy, don’t worry.”
Rachel felt better. “Then I’m excited to be a part of your team.”
“After I tell Marcy the good news, she’ll show you around and train you for your new role. Welcome to Tieber Air Transport.”
Rachel couldn’t subdue a beaming smile, one that Joseph noticed.
“How exactly did you meet Luke?” he asked.
Embarrassment threatened to flush her face. “He returned my wallet to me after I lost it.”
“He said as much. He also said you were fired the day you met.”
“Yes. The bus broke down and I was late getting to work.”
“Will you have trouble getting to work here?”
“No. I’ll take the bus.”
“Well, if you’re going to be late because of the bus, just call me and let me know.”
“I will. Thank you.” What a nice man. He made her feel so welcome.
He picked up the phone. “Marcy, would you please come in?”
Rachel started to stand.
“No, you stay here.”
Marcy came into the office with her stormy scowl. She stood beside the chairs. “Yes, Mr. Tieber?”
“I spoke with Mr. Jordan this morning. His assistant put in her notice last week, and he has an opening. You’ll start there in the morning.”
Marcy’s mouth opened, and her eyes brightened. “Really?”
“Yes, so I’ll expect you to be nicer to Rachel, here. I need you to train her to do your job.”
“Of course. I’d be happy to.” She smiled at Rachel. “Come on, let’s get started.”
Rachel left the office and followed Marcy to her new cubicle. Marcy sat down, and Rachel pulled a chair beside her.
“Did you really get fired because the bus broke down?” Marcy opened her email. When Rachel turned in silent question, Marcy added, “I listened to you talking to Joseph. Sorry.”
“That’s my luck.”
“You’re that unlucky?” Marcy breathed a laugh. “It can’t be that bad.”
“Oh,