Chapter 3 #2
“We both want to audition for the part of Maria, but the job fair only lasts for three hours, and I really need to make some money. I couldn’t even cry on the train, so I figured I wasn’t going to get the role.
Plus, I’m a blonde.” She holds up her hair and makes a face.
“Not that Mexicans can’t be blonde, as well, but I just felt like maybe making sure I got a job was more important.
” She finally stops and takes a deep breath and offers me a warm smile. “Hope that makes sense.”
I slowly shake my head. This overly talkative lady is crazy.
“Let me start again. I was on the train, practicing my lines and—”
“Lady, I don’t care.” I hold my hand up. “I think I get it. You are not really a paralegal. You were reciting lines to an audition you bailed on, so you’re here at my firm, looking for a job.”
“I don’t even know who you are.” She has the gall to roll her eyes at me as if I’m the annoying one.
As if she hadn’t just heard my name a minute ago.
I stare at her with a supercilious tilt of my head.
I want her to know that I know she’s lying.
When she blushes, I try to stop the smug grin from spreading across my face.
“I’m Max Spector, named partner of Chase, Parker, and Spector.
The law firm you’re trying to get a job at.
” I look down at my Rolex. “And I have a meeting in thirty minutes I need to get ready for. You can follow me up in the elevator, and I’ll show you to HR.
” I head back toward the elevators. “Also, if I were you, I would only apply for assistant positions. Paralegals don’t win settlements, and they sure as hell are not threatening to bring lawsuits… unless you are filing pro se.”
She looks confused, and I sigh loudly, wondering why I’m allowing this lady to distract me from my day. She has no business applying to work at a law firm. Especially not my law firm. There is no way I'm going to make her my new assistant.
“Unless you decide to bring the lawsuit for yourself,” I clarify.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that,” the blonde shoots back as the two women follow me to the elevator. “I’m only looking to be a part-time assistant so I can still continue to audition for roles.” I wonder if she realizes she’s not making herself sound like an ideal candidate.
“Sounds like you’re our ideal candidate,” I say with a straight face as we walk into the elevator. “Who doesn’t love an employee that only cares about the job between auditions? I mean, imagine if you make it big, you could help promote the firm.”
“What?” The blonde blinks at me suspiciously and presses her lips together. “I’ll have you know that I’m a consummate professional.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it.” My phone beeps, and I pull it out. It’s from my former employee, telling me she forgot to send me a memo about discovery on a multi-million-dollar case. “If you hadn’t quit, I would have fired you,” I mutter under my breath. I am absolutely fed up with everything right now.
“Everything okay?” The blonde steps forward and lightly touches my shoulder.
I glance into her wide, clear blue eyes and nod.
She really is pretty. She has the looks to make it as an actress, that’s for sure.
“Anything I can do to help?” I’m about to make a crude comment, but I stop myself.
There’s something about the genuine warmth and concern on her face.
She reminds me of a puppy: innocent and sweet.
And then I picture Kingston's face and the bet we made.
If I were an honorable man, I would hire the blonde.
That was the deal I made. The first person I came into contact with looking for a job with the firm was to be my new assistant.
Could I make her the envy of the legal community?
“How good are you at scheduling meetings, going through documents with a fine-tooth comb, and thwarting the machinations of eager women?” I ask, half-joking, wondering if I am really considering hiring this woman as my new assistant.
She’s goofy in a way I know will irritate me on a daily basis if I’m around her.
I don’t come to work to joke around. I come to work to win cases and make money.
I’m trying to make a name for myself. I need to win big cases if I want to make it to the Supreme Court one day.
My dad won’t be able to say I walked away from the family business for nothing if I become a Supreme Court justice.
One of only nine. Clubs don’t get more exclusive than that.
“I am great at scheduling meetings, have an eagle eye for detail in documents, and no eager women will ever find their way into your presence—other than me.” She offers me an exaggerated wink as she flutters her hand back and forth in front of her face as if she needs air.
Is this lady flirting with me? Seriously?
I just basically offered her a job, and she’s flirting with me?
My lips twitch as I watch her. Her friend is standing in the corner of the elevator, gaping.
Even she looks shocked that her friend is coming on so strong.
“Are you hitting on me, Ms. I’m-the-best-paralegal-in-the-world-but-really-a-wanna-be-actress?” I still have time to change my mind and walk away. Kingston will never know.
“Oh, you misunderstood me.” She’s blushing heavily now.
“I didn’t mean I’m an eager woman that wants to be in your presence; I just meant I’m a woman that would be in your presence.
And also, I’d be eager. To work you. I mean, to work for you.
I mean, yes, you’re hot, but that doesn’t mean I want to bed you.
Can I say that here? Bed you? I mean, I have standards.
Not that you’re not up to the standard, but you have to admit you were a bit rude back there, and I prefer my men to be romantic and sweet and woo me with flowers and chocolates, and you seem like the sort of man that thinks handcuffs equal romance.
While I’ll admit that sometimes I’m up for some role-play, which is neither here nor there, by the way, it’s not exactly the fantasy for most women.
Not that I think you want to take me on a first date or care about my fantasies…
” She stops and turns bright red. “I mean, you got me. I do think role-playing as cop and criminal would be kinda hot, but…” She slaps her hand over her mouth and looks over at her friend, whose eyes are bulging now.
Laughter escapes me because this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen.
And I don’t hate it. This blonde is definitely never going to be paralegal of the year.
She likely wouldn’t even make a good assistant, but I’ve had the best assistants in the world assigned to me, and they didn’t last. What do I have to lose by hiring this woman?
And maybe this is a good test to see if I really do have the skills to make anyone great at their job. I do love a challenge.
“You’re hired,” I say as the elevator dings and stops on my floor.
“Follow me.” I walk out and lead the two women down the corridor.
I may have lost my mind, but the blonde is making me laugh harder than I’ve laughed in years, and it feels good.
Everyone needs some comic relief now and again.
Maybe she won’t be half bad. And if she is, I’ll fire her.
After a month. The bet was that she wouldn't quit, not that I wouldn't fire her.
I won't be able to sleep with her, though…
as disappointing as that is. I don't cross that line with assistants.
I stop outside the HR office and nod toward the redhead. “You can fill out an application here. Tell Wendy that Max Spector said you were to be hired today.” I then turn toward the blonde. “Now, you, come with me.” I pause as I realize that I still don’t know her name.
“Lila,” she says, as if reading my mind. “Lila Haversham.” She looks slightly shocked as she swallows hard. Her throat is long and slender, and she’s wearing a gold necklace with some sort of charm that I can’t make out.
“Nice to meet you, Lila,” I say, shaking her outstretched hand.
“Just so you know, this is a full-time job, and you won’t be taking off for any auditions.
” My eyes linger on her cleavage as I take a visual photograph of her.
“Unless we’re doing some sort of role-play in my office, comprendé?
” I grin at her. She frowns in confusion, and I watch her freeze as her mind wonders if I’m saying what she thinks I’m saying.
I want to snicker, but I pull out my phone instead and send Kingston a text message.
"I hired my new assistant, and she's going to be absolutely amazing.
" I hit send before I can stop myself. I don't often lie, but I'm not going to tell him that I think I may have hired the worst possible person for the job.