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“That’s more than I’ve ever gotten out of her. Harlan and I both have offered her jobs in the past and she’s always said no.”
“Were they actual jobs or make-work? She’s pretty prickly about what she considers charity.”
“Tell me about it. And she considers everything to be charity.”
“I think I convinced her this isn’t. I told her we lost our accountant and offered the job to her. I mentioned Levi’s man is handling our needs temporarily but we want someone permanent. She hasn’t said yes, but she hasn’t turned me down yet, either.”
“The hiring is your department, anyway,” Travis said. “But obviously, I’m good with it. Are you going to tell Levi?”
“Already did. He’s good with it too. I’m pretty sure his CPA would like to be rid of us without pissing off Levi. We’re definitely small potatoes compared to Levi’s interests. Anyway, I wanted to let you know.”
“Did you have an ulterior motive when you offered the job to Laurel?”
“You’re damn right I did,” Zack said irritably. “I wanted a good accountant for the airport. Laurel would be a win-win. She needs a good second job and we need an accountant.”
“So you’re being altruistic.”
“Not entirely. As I said, several times now, we need an accountant.”
“And it has nothing to do with the fact that if Laurel is the airport accountant that gives you a good excuse to be around her.”
“What are you getting at, Travis?”
“I was just wondering if there was more to the story than you’ve let on.”
“Meaning what?”
“You just happened to be at Jalisco’s when Laurel got fired. Then you just happened to find her at Booze’s. Seems a little coincidental.”
“Not really.”
“Are you hitting on Laurel?”
“I’m not hitting on her. But I’m interested. And if you don’t like it, you can kiss my ass.” With that parting shot, he hung up.
*
Laurel went homeand changed her clothes, anxious to be rid of any reminder of her lost job. Cody and Katrina and Savannah and Harlan were probably on their way to the exotic zoo by now. Her sister-in-law promised to have the kids home after an early dinner.
Which left Laurel free to think. She had a lot to think about. After putting in a load of never-ending wash, she booted up her computer to look at her finances. Again. She needed another job. Badly. And she needed one that paid more than a one night a week waitress position at a place where the tips generally sucked.
Face it. Zack has offered you the perfect job. You’d be crazy not to take it.
She owed it to her kids to take a job that could make all their lives better. To be able to move, even. It wasn’t as if she’d be taking charity from anyone. It was a job. A real one, not make-work like her brothers had offered in the past. Zack needed an accountant and she needed another job. Mutual benefits.
You’ll be seeing a lot more of Zack if you take the job.
That’s not a hardship.
Not a hardship at all. With his dark hair, green eyes, and nearly perpetual five-o’clock shadow, he was the epitome of the description go-to-hell good looks. And when he smiled and his dimples appeared, her heart sped up every time.
But was she ready for a relationship? Especially after what had happened with Stan? It had been more than two years since he left. Two years of busting her butt to make ends meet. Two years of being a single mom to two small children. Two years of paying off debts that weren’t hers. Two years of beating herself up for not realizing sooner what kind of man Stan had turned into.
Not a soul knew the shameful secrets of her marriage and she wanted to keep it that way.
A part of her felt a definite thrill when she thought about what Zack had admitted to her this morning. He wanted her. Wanted to have sex with her. And damn, it had been so long since she’d been with a man. Since she’d felt desirable.
Sure, she’d been hit on. By skanky men who would’ve hit on any female who happened to be around. That didn’t make her feel good. The opposite, in fact.
