Chapter 10
Rosie
Senna Coulter cackles at her desk. She’s a millionaire and the boss of an entire organisation, and she’s laughing because of something I said!
“What happened?” she asks, her chin resting on her fist as she stares at me.
“I told him if he talked to me like that again, I’d message his mum and send her the dick pic he sent me. I wasn’t on a dating site. I was arranging a carpet delivery.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “Working in this industry, I’ve come up against some dickheads, and unfortunately not everyone you meet will be lovely, but you’ll hold your own.
And although my brother can be grumpy, he’s respectful.
He’d fire anyone instantly if he witnessed them being anything less than appropriate. ”
My eyes widen. “For real?”
She nods.
“I can’t imagine that, but I’m happy to hear it.” I reach for the glass of water, yanking at my skirt. Senna’s brow furrows. “Sorry. I shouldn’t say this in an interview, but I hate wearing smart clothes. Don’t worry, I will as an assistant, but I’ll wear something better than this.”
Senna grins. “That’s it. You’ve got the job.”
I stumble over my words. “Because I hate wearing smart clothes?”
“That, and your knowledge, experience, ability to handle difficult people, and because you’re exceptional.”
I glance down at the floor and up again. I’m a little in love with Senna Coulter. If her brother’s anything like her, I won’t be counting down the minutes of every workday. “Exceptional?”
“At twenty-three, you’ve achieved a lot. I can’t understand why you’ve chosen us when you could be conquering the rugby world, but my brother will be lucky to have you as his assistant.”
“I have a couple of questions.” Like, are you pranking me?
“Ask away.” She calls Jimmy into the office, instructs him on the prepared contracts that require my name, then sends him away again.
“Will this job include a lot of travel?”
“My brother is a reserve driver, as we already have a full roster of drivers. He’ll support me or others at races, but he’s suggested he won’t necessarily need his assistant at races because he wants them to do something else for him when he’s travelling.”
I raise an eyebrow. Like cleaning his house or, god forbid, choosing women for him to sleep with? I wince internally. I’ve watched too many documentaries about millionaires.
“He wants a dog. You might need to doggy sit when he travels until he arranges daycare.”
“That would be amazing. I love dogs.” Tabi will be ecstatic.
“You’re perfect. Next question.” She points at me.
“What are the hours? I’m comfortable with the odd evening but prefer to finish by five. I can start at eight a.m., though, and I don’t need a lunch break.”
“That’s fine. There may be the odd call, but Jimmy,” she says as he walks in, “is the same with his hours. And lunch breaks aren’t optional.”
Jimmy nods. “I love my cat more than life, so I must get home. And Senna insists I take my break away from my desk. She calls the lift for me some days. We have a coffee shop, a gym, and space to walk outside.”
“It’s such a beautiful area,” Senna agrees. “My team makes me go outside. It wasn’t like that last year, as I worked too many hours, but my boyfriend drags me out now.”
This place is perfect.
“And this will be your salary.” Senna points at the figure on the contract. I gasp at a salary that’s three times what I earn at my parents’ carpet company. “Feel free to take this contract away—”
I grab a pen and sign it. I can buy new shoes for Tabi and her school uniform, and I’ll be able to bring my skills somewhere. I’ll be known as Rosie here, not as Tabi’s mum.
“You don’t have to sign it now. Are you sure you don’t want to meet my brother first?”
Maybe I’ll be able to save for my master’s degree and treat myself to a brand-new work outfit. My dreams are a lot closer than an hour ago. “I’m excited to take on this role. I’ve already signed it. I’ll be so happy here.”
“She’s signed the contract already?” A familiar voice sounds behind me, although it’s grumpier than I remember. “Don’t I get to meet her first?”
I turn and lock eyes with my holiday kiss.
His eyes are darker, but he still has that hint of a shy dimple when he smiles.
It’s all I can do not to finger the chain hidden around my neck when I recall teasing this man by playing with my bra strap like a 1950s pin up.
I’d have gone much further if Sasha hadn’t called because Tabi was crying for me.
Liam, I mouth.
His eyes widen. “Bella.”
Senna looks between us, her brow furrowed. “Ummm, Rosie, this is my brother, Niki. Niki, meet your new assistant.”
His lips turn from smiling to pinched, and he combines it with a sour stare. “No, she isn’t.”