Chapter 5
Chapter Five
THEO
“Tell me about yourself.”
That’s always a safe place to start with an interview. Some are brief with their answer, some launch into long stories, and others lie through their teeth. It’s hard to know what to expect from this prospective employee.
Her neon-yellow suit says more about her than words ever could, but I try not to judge by her appearance—or the matching bee earrings. They’re cute and probably bought from a local artist. Who am I to judge?
“I like bees,” she says.
Yeah. I can tell.
“I like them, too.” My smile remains intact. “Pollinators are an important part of our ecosystem, and caring about the environment is key to this job. What do you like about them?”
She giggles. “Well, they’re just so cute!”
This is the perfect opportunity for her to discuss her passion for nature, which would make her an excellent candidate for the job. I set her up to blow me out of the water, and I wait.
One second… two…
Her foot taps against the floor. Time stretches thin as I wait for her answer.
Three seconds…
Maybe she’s nervous. It’s hard to say—nervous people don’t usually tell me about their interest in insects.
I can’t take this anymore. If she won’t break the silence, I will.
“They are.” I force my smile to grow, hoping it will put her at ease. “What about your strengths? What do you bring to the job?”
“Well…” She twists in her seat. “I’m too punctual. Always right on time.”
She was five minutes late.
“Unless there’s traffic, right?” I chuckle, trying to assign an explanation to her tardiness.
She frowns. “No. I always leave early. And, on another note, I’m personable. My favorite part of my last job was the people.”
Personable? She must really be nervous, because that is not the energy she radiates when she sits across from me, speaking with a slight tremble.
“That was a sales job, right?” I ask. “Commission-based?”
“Mhm.”
“What else did you like about it?”
“Nothing.” Her face flattens, lips pressed into a tight line. “Just the people. I hated the rest of it. Too much paperwork.”
It’s my third interview of the morning, and the resume had promise, but by the time it’s over…
I already know I’ll have to pass. The first two weren’t any better.
One could only work twenty hours a week, and the other didn’t even know the company’s name.
They confused us with our number one competitor.
Sure, it’s a simple assistant job, but our work matters.
They should know what they’re signing up for, and not doing the bare minimum of research before coming in is an issue.
Then, there’s the problem of proximity. I’ll be working closely with whoever I hire, and the vibe matters—it always matters.
The vibes are rancid today.
Finally, it’s time for lunch, but I don’t bother leaving my office. I have more calls to attend to after I eat. I pull out the crinkly, brown paper bag that homes my hummus, tomato, and arugula sandwich. This is my favorite lunch option for Meatless Mondays.
“Knock knock!” A voice outside poorly emulates a knock.
Not necessary, considering that the door is made of glass. Everett’s pearly smile greets me before I invite him inside.
I sigh and set the sandwich down on top of the bag. “I’m on my lunch break.”
That doesn’t stop Everett from opening the door. He slides inside and sits in the chair opposite mine, leaning back without a care in the world.
Us being friends wouldn’t make sense to most people. We met at a cocktail party five years ago; he was the only one not wearing a suit. Instead, he wore a hideous, floral button-up shirt, as if on vacation. The flip-flops with socks didn’t help the ensemble.
I didn’t understand how he made it into the party at first, but before long, I realized people kept him around for his charm. Now, in my eyes, he’s more than a strange, charming man. He’s a loyal friend—and a little too presumptuous.
He’s dressed the same way now, but I don’t complain anymore. I’m glad he’s wearing shoes.
“You should have texted,” I grunt. “I’m not in the mood for company.”
“I did text.” He lifts a brow. “Three times.”
“If I didn’t answer, that was probably a hint to leave me alone.”
“Ow!” He rubs his chest. “What did I ever do to you?”
“Nothing. It’s not you.” I unwrap my sandwich and take my time chewing.
If I’m grumpy, and I’m not saying I am, eating will probably help.
Tomatoes burst into my mouth, and the garlic hummus adds the right touch.
I only take one bite before I plop the sandwich down and brush my crummy fingers on a rough, brown napkin.
“I’ve been doing interviews all morning, and it’s pushing off the rest of my work until the end of the day.
I’ll probably be stuck sleeping here tonight. ”
“Didn’t ask.”
“Too bad. You’re here, so I’m venting.”
He chuckles. “You know you’re the boss, right? You can decide to call it in early.”
How envious I am of Theo. He’s always so at ease, his business does well, and he has control of his life. He has it all.
I glance at my phone, which is lighting up with emails. “We don’t all have that much freedom.”
“As much as I want to encourage you to take a break,” he says, “I’m here on business.”
“How so?” I already know what he’s talking about, but I feign ignorance.
Everett leans in, fixing me with those piercing baby blues. “Were you serious when you offered the job to Evie?”
I scratch the back of my neck. “Ah… she told you about that, did she?”
Offering her the job was a long shot, a desperate attempt at avoiding this stressful job search. I haven’t heard from her, and I still don’t know if I should have offered her the job, but my brief interaction with her was better than any interview I’ve done so far.
“She did,” he says. “She thinks she’s under-qualified.”
I wave a hand dismissively. “There’s no such thing as being under-qualified for this position. I’m willing to train the right person.”
“Even if she can only stay for the summer?”
“Sure.” I lift my shoulders, and the tension I’m carrying makes them stay in that position. “It’s not ideal, but that gives me time to find someone to replace her once she’s gone.”
“I guess it would work out for both of you.”
“Do you know something I don’t?” I narrow my eyes. “She turned down the job already, and I’m not expecting her to change her mind.”
Evie has other passions. I’ll respect it, even if her coming on board would make my job much more manageable.
“Listen,” he says, “all I know is that my baby sister needs a job, and my best friend is stressed and looking for someone to fill a position. I would be a fool if I didn’t try to make something happen here.”
Seeing my laid-back friend as the protective big brother and even going so far as to arrange a job Evie isn’t interested in is something else. For once, Everett is perfectly still, no longer wiggling or bouncing to the next thing as I know him to do. He’s steady.
“It has to be her decision,” I say. “Let her make the choice. I don’t want anyone on board who doesn’t want to be here.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” he says. “I’m not forcing her. I vouched for you. That’s it.”
“Huh. Does your vouch mean a lot to Evie?”
“Yes. It does.”
The last thing I need is to get my hopes up. Evie told me where she stands, and Everett’s opinion doesn’t matter. I want this to be her choice.
“Good to know. I need to find someone by the end of the week. If she reaches out to me by then, the job is hers.” I peel off a piece of crust and pop it into my mouth.
The company has our annual trip coming right up, and we’re more than willing to train her, but we have to get started before then. I need my assistant.
“Look,” he says, “I’m not telling you to hold your breath—I want to make sure you’re serious. This could help her. You have no idea.”
“I am serious.” I lean in. “You know how serious I am about helping people, especially people you care about.”
“That means a lot to me.” He fixes me with a sharp look, one I know to take seriously. “Even if she doesn’t take the job, I won’t forget you offered.”
“Stop.” I lean back in my chair and shake my head. “You’ve already done a lot for me. Too much.”
How Everett looks out for me may not be as apparent to others, but he does.
He invites me to every event, ensures I get out of the office, and sometimes even reminds me to take a break and feed myself.
If I can give his sister a job with a livable wage, even for the summer, it will only be a tiny dent in making up for the way he’s helped me keep my head on straight.
Being that kind of friend comes effortlessly for Everett. He doesn’t understand that it’s something I have to work for. I’ve always been alone.
“I haven’t done enough.” The chair scrapes against the wooden floor as he pushes it back. “I know I can’t trust you enough to set you up on a date anymore, but work? That’s one thing you’ll never fail at.”
My lip tugs up in a half-smile. “Doesn’t exactly feel like a compliment.”
“It only sort of is.”
“I’ll take it.”
I silence my phone at nine o’clock every evening. That’s my non-negotiable wind-down time. Even if I work my tail off until then, I won’t answer a single damn call after.
Today is an exception. It’s eleven, and I’m still in the office, up to my ears in paperwork. Still, my phone is on silent. I can keep one boundary, even if I’m breaking down another. I’m breaking it bad, too, knowing I won’t be able to go home until the sun is rising.
I’ll be lucky if I get even three hours of sleep tonight.
An unknown number pops up on my phone. There’s no ringer, but the text catches my attention.
Boundaries be damned.
Unknown Number
It’s Evie!
My heart races. After the talk with her brother, I wasn’t expecting much, but… I’ll be damned. There she is.
Evie
Are you still available to discuss the position you mentioned at the party?
Suddenly, she’s so formal. I laugh to myself, shaking my head as I lift my phone.
Theo
Very available.
Can I call you?
It’s too late to make that kind of offer, but I press send before I can second-guess myself. Shit. Well, maybe this is a good thing. If I can find someone to take the job, I won’t have to worry about the upcoming interviews… or finding more people to interview.
Evie
Right now?
Sure!
I slip my earbuds in and take a deep breath, preparing for the call. My heart races. Nerves. I need someone to fill the position—someone with a personable nature and the ability to focus. These are the usual work nerves.
That’s all. It’s not that I want to hear the sweet sound of her low, raspy voice. Most people wouldn’t expect her to sound like she does. Her voice doesn’t quite fit her cherub face and soft cheeks. Of course, that isn’t the thought going through my mind as I answer the call.
That would be inappropriate.
She answers. “Hello?”
“Hello.”
“Hey!” She sounds vibrant, even though it’s nearly midnight.
I lean back in my seat. “Are you already having second thoughts about turning me down?”
“I didn’t turn you down!”
“You did, but it’s all right. I respect it.”
“Well… fine. I turned you down a little.” She laughs. “But I am reconsidering—if the position is still open, I mean. I don’t want to assume.”
“It’s wide open.” I wet my dry lips. “What if we have the interview right now? Are you ready for it?”
She’s silent, ruffling something around. “I don’t feel ready.”
“I’m sure you are. Why don’t we start with… why us? Why Intentional Paper?”
“I like your efforts to preserve the planet.” Her answer comes swiftly. “Paper products are an important part of everyday life, but… I saw the video on the company’s YouTube channel about chopping down the old trees and leaving the young to grow. I guess it’s obvious, but I never considered it.”
I chuckle. “It’s good to hear you’ve been researching.”
“I probably would have done more research if you hadn’t sprung this interview on me at the last minute!”
She doesn’t realize she’s already put in more effort than half the people who came into my office.
“Do you have any questions for me?” I ask.
“Um… just a few. Like, what would the job entail?”
“Simple. I’ll pay you a handsome fee to run my life.”
Her voice pitches higher. “That sounds stressful!”
“I’m joking. You would be figuring out my schedule, taking calls for me, setting up interviews, taking notes when we’re at meetings, booking flights and hotels.”
“Oh. Okay. When you put it like that, it’s sort of… easy, honestly.”
Easy. She’s confident, and I have a feeling it’s deserved.
I glance at the clock—almost midnight. If I can lock in a new assistant before then, I can actually get some sleep.
I stifle a yawn. “You think?”
“Definitely. I know how to get the best deals on flights, too.”
“I bet you do. Which of your other skills translates well to this position?”
“Baking is meticulous,” she says. “It’s chemistry—it requires perfect timing and the ability to follow written rules. Patience, too. I’m good at paying attention to details, which means avoiding things like double booking or booking the wrong hotel room. That won’t happen with me.”
“Hm… I like that.”
“I have an eye for aesthetics and cleanliness, too. Your reports will be well-written and easy to read.”
My lips tug up at the corners. “Smart answer. I already know you’re skilled at decorating cakes. You’re telling me that will help you write a report?”
“Yes.” She laughs. “Don’t question it, or we’ll lose the plot.”
I shake my head in disbelief—in myself. My fingers push through my curls, tangling in hard enough that I may yank out some precious hairs.
I can’t believe I’m doing this. It’s a short call, but I want her for the job.
Even our ability to communicate means she’s a better fit than some of the people I talked to.
“You and I will be working close together,” I say. “Long hours—a full forty hours a week—and this job requires travel. We have a Finland trip coming up next month.”
“Oh! Finland?”
“Mhm. If you’re not interested—”
“I am! I’m already traveling a bit this summer, so… yes. I’m happy to travel. How long would the trip be?”
“Just a couple of weeks. We’re doing some forestry work and shooting a few YouTube videos. How good are you with a camera?”
“Good enough to take pictures of a cake?”
“That should work.” I twist in my chair, contemplating my decision… but I already made the choice, didn’t I? It was made the second we met. “You’re hired.”
“Seriously? Just like that? You don’t need to, like… check with anyone else?”
“I’m the boss, Evie. There’s no one else to check with.”
“Right! Oh my God. Oh my God. Okay. When do I start?”
“How about tomorrow?” The sooner I have someone else to answer my calls, the better. “Is that too soon?”
“Not at all. I’m ready.”
It’s official. I’m working with Everett’s sister—specifically, she’s working for me. This is either the turning point I’ve been waiting for or a recipe for disaster.