did he have to be so good looking? Someone so mean shouldn’t look that handsome. A muscle in his jaw pulsed as his gaze swept over me, sending a slight shiver up my spine.
He had a moody vibe about him this evening that reminded me of a character in a Jane Austen book, minus the misunderstood aspect as he was a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of man. Still, I knew all too well how women could fall for a guy like him. I personally wouldn’t, but I understood why others did. Looks went a long way with people, and he had the charisma and leadership to draw women in. It was a good thing I was too discerning to let appearances affect my opinion.
For a moment, I was lost for words, unable to comprehend why he was even here, and then it occurred to me that my persistent best friend had probably sent him. “How can I help you, Easton?” I kept my tone light but indifferent.
“You never called me back.” It sounded like an accusation, but there was a note of vulnerability in his voice that was different from before, almost as if he wasn’t used to people not returning his calls.
“I assumed Charlotte told you I wasn’t interested in working for you.”
He glanced down. “I…” We stood there for what seemed like forever, and then he raised his head and locked his gaze with mine. “I’m sorry for how things went on our date. It wasn’t my intention to offend you. You were upset for good reason, and I’d like to make it up to you by offering a job at my company.”
I hadn’t expected him to be so…civil. “Is that an apology?”
The corners of his mouth tugged upward as if he were trying to hold back a smile. “Yes.”
It wasn’t a full apology, and he hadn’t taken ownership of what he did with Liam and me, but it was better than nothing. At least it was a step in the right direction. “I appreciate that. As to the job offer, it’s not necessary. I’m willing to put all of this in the past and forget about it.” And I meant that. It was wrong of me to hold a grudge, and I was tired of it, anyway.
He studied me as if trying to figure out why I wasn’t cooperating by taking his offer. “I was told you need better medical care.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“I can offer you top-notch benefits as well as a higher salary. As you know, Project Helpers has a great reputation and even if you decide not to stay long, any experience with my company will look great on your resume.”
I was aware of Project Helper’s standing and reputation since Charlotte and I were friends, and he was right. Project Helpers was innovative, and their products were selling like hotcakes, which meant job security for employees. The company was similar to Home Depot, but it focused on kits for various home and outdoor projects. It was a great concept, and I’d even used a few of the kits over the years. Still, as much as I’d love to work at Project Helper’s, I didn’t want to work with Easton.
I folded my hands and looked him straight in the eye. “I understand, but you don’t owe me anything.”
He pressed his lips together and glanced to the side, frustration showing on his face. “You’re being stubborn. There’s no good reason to decline my offer.”
“I don’t want to work with you.” There was no point in lying or trying to pretend. That was the main reason I didn’t want to take the job. That, and I had a certain level of pride and didn’t want to be indebted to him.
“You won’t have to report to me if that makes you feel any better. George Layman is over human resources, and he will be the one to supervise you.”
“But you would still be my boss. You own the company.”
“Yes, but we won’t have much interaction.”
“But I’ll have to see you.”
He laughed outright. “Am I that bad to look at, Maya? Last time I checked, I wasn’t a monster.”
His smile was so genuine that it caught me off guard. I blinked and took in his handsome features. Strong jaw. Full lips. Broad shoulders and a trim waist. Piercing eyes that didn’t miss a thing. My heart fluttered being the subject of his attention, and I found my knees weakening. Good grief. What was wrong with me?
“I never said you were a monster.”
“But