Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 113072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
I feel a glow behind my breastbone when he says this. I can’t help it.
“Even more remarkably, you’ve got the attention of maybe three-quarters of the team, who are eager to show up and work with you. And I’d lay odds that you can lasso the rest of them given a little bit more time.”
It really sounds like a but is coming here, and I brace myself.
“So it’s just a damn shame that you’ve had to deal with these headwinds. The team’s counsel is not unsympathetic, but they wanted me to give you a document to sign, stating that you don’t intend to bring legal action against the team for creating a hostile work environment.”
Here we go.
“But I told them I won’t do that. It’s too ass-covering even for me.”
I blink.
“So there is nothing I need from you at all, except your patience. The HR department is obviously aware of this terrible breach. And should you require counseling or any other remedy from this experience, we are ready to offer it to you.”
It’s funny, but as I listen to him prostrate himself on this issue, it occurs to me that this is just the same baseline bullshit that women get all the time at work—but usually from people who are less afraid of being sued.
“I think I’m doing fine, sir,” I say carefully. “But I’ll let you know if that changes.”
He chuckles. “You don’t scare easy, Zoe. I gotta admit that I didn’t have you figured out like I thought I did.”
My smile is hard to hold back, but I manage. “Interesting, sir. Whatever gave you the impression that I’d scare easily?”
“Well, your petrified face the first day you came to work here.”
Oh. That.
“Anyway, good work. It’s time I gave you this.” He grabs a file folder off his desk and passes it to me. “It’s a contract for next year. A full-time position.”
I play that back in my head, and it still sounds like he offered me a real job. So I take the folder and flip it open. Offer of Employment. Position: Skating Coach and Scout. Hours: 40. Under that is a salary I can be proud of, plus medical, dental, and the company 401(k).
I try not to gasp.
I fail.
“Please consider joining us in spite of all that’s happened,” he says. “I know it might be hard for you to place your trust in the organization at this point. But I believe in you.”
I blink up at him in wonder. Do not cry! “Thank you, sir. That means a lot.”
He nods, his brow furrowed. “There’s no need to make your decision right away,” he says. “But I wanted you to have this offer now. And it won’t be rescinded if…” He looks down again. “If you decide to press charges. That’s your decision. Do what you have to do.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “I appreciate that, too.”
I’m so stunned by this development that it takes me a second to realize I’m dismissed. I scoot back in my chair and stand up in a hurry. A real contract! I don’t know whom to tell first. Chase and Darcy will be thrilled.
And, heck, even my mother will be impressed. She thought this job was just another impulse. But it changed my whole life.
“Zoe?” he says as I head for the door.
“Hmm?” I spin around and catch him watching me.
“If you decide not to join us, let me know, okay? I’ll need to make other arrangements.”
“Of course! Happy to.” I leave, practically sailing down the escalators, the folder clutched tightly in my hands. I’m going to read every word of it. Maybe I’ll even frame it.
It’s not until I am trotting down Twenty-First Street toward Chase’s apartment building that I think a little harder about what this means. It’s another data point in the question of where Chase and I will be next year.
And then I remember Sharp’s words in Vancouver. I got a sweet little trick up my sleeve… Dude is definitely coming back.
Holy shit. I think I’m the sweet little trick.
I try to take a deep breath, but there’s an iron band around my lungs. When I play back our meeting in my head, everything looks a little different. Good job, Zoe. How hard you’ve worked, Zoe. I believe in you, Zoe.
Those were words that I sorely needed to hear. That man read me like a book. What if it was all pandering? He probably already knows that Chase and I are a couple. How did Bess put it? Anyone with eyes?
Sharp has very shrewd eyes. And now he’s offering me this job so he can keep Chase under his thumb without busting the salary cap.
I’m such an idiot.
When I finally continue walking, I pass right by Chase’s place and head home to my tiny apartment to cry.
Chapter 43
When Veena said she’d turn the main floor of the Legends’ headquarters into a glittering wonderland, I assumed that was hyperbole. I’ve seen hundreds of skating rinks in my life, and they all look pretty much the same.