to be blamed. I’m in therapy in case you’re wondering. Extrapolating my thoughts with assistance is new to me, I’m more of a DIY kind of girl.”
She laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. But I love that you’re so matter of fact about it. And I agree, it shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of. I’ve been seeing someone myself, whatever helps, right?”
“Right, thank God mine doesn’t make me rake sand or talk about my childhood,” I chuckled. “And if I’d had to lay on someone’s couch and re-imagine my birth, I’d probably still be rolling my eyes. I mean, I can appreciate being woo-woo and all, but come on.”
“Well I’m glad we’re on the same page.” Hayden reached out and touched my hand. “And the club seems to be doing well. Mack said you barely took any time off, you must be exhausted.”
“Yeah, so remember how I said two minutes ago that I was impatient? Well, other than talking about Lewis and making sure you were okay, I had another reason for asking you here.” I smiled, unable to draw it out anymore.
Hayden dipped her chin, her brow scrunching in confusion. “And that would be . . .”
“A job offer, I want you to come work for me. Mack told me you left Target, so I think it’s the perfect time for you to join the team at Diablo.”
She laughed, assuming I was joking. “Me, in a club? You know how old I am, right? And that I have no qualifications other than some hospitality experience years ago. I really appreciate the offer, Presley—”
“So appreciate it and accept it.” I dismissed her rejection, refusing to accept it. “You’ll be running my inventory and taking over my compliance portfolios. I can train you on the software, and you can take some college classes online. I’m going to be opening a second site, and I can’t be in two places at once. I’m going to need someone I trust, someone willing to work hard and isn’t scared about a little uncertainty. And we both know you’re wasting your potential in retail, Hayden. I’d be an idiot to let you go get another job like that. For purely selfish reasons, of course.”
She eyed me with suspicion. “Purely selfish reasons, huh? You think I’m going to believe that?”
“If you think that I wouldn’t benefit from this deal, then you aren’t as smart as I gave you credit for. Think about it, I can hire and train you specifically for the role I need without having to break existing bad habits you got from another EA job. I also get someone I trust, which at this point is almost more important than anything else.”
Hayden was about to shake her head when she stopped. “I’m going to be upfront with you, Presley. Mack and I were going to try and start a family. It would be irresponsible for me to accept a new job and then leave you high and dry later.”
“So, have a baby, have ten. You’ll be working days, no nights and other than some of my staff, the bar will be empty. We’ll set you up with an office that has room for a porta cot and some other baby stuff as well as a desk, and you can bring the little goofball in with you. I can even set you up remotely, half the stuff can be done offsite anyway. Which means when you get close to delivery and after you’ve had the baby, you can still keep working if you want to. I’m not saying you have to, because I can only imagine how intense it would be to push out a human, but if you did, you wouldn’t have to make the choice. We’d work it out. And not to brag, but I’m a really good boss.”
I’d been overselling it and I knew it. To anyone it was a good deal even if I’d only put in half the effort. But part of it was being brave enough to show my vulnerability, even if I’d never do it in business with anyone else.
“Do you always get what you want?” she asked, her eyebrow lifting.
“Yes,” I answered without apology. “I have to work my ass off for it, but once my mind is set, then it’s already mine. That’s not to say I don’t fail sometimes or have disappointments, the self-doubt is new though, and to be honest, I’m not a fan.”