Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,4

says I’m being an asshole. Oh, before I forget,” he points at me, “You and Jade, my house in Malibu on Saturday. Quinn wants to have you over.”

“Um.”

He puts his hand up in the air, looking over the messages I had for him. “No excuses. Cancel whatever plans you have. We know the deal, what Quinn wants—”

“Quinn gets.” I finish his sentence and he looks up.

“I knew you were a quick learner.” He sits down at his desk, booting up his laptop. “You should be happy that’s my motto because she also insisted I reach out to someone I know in Chicago.” He nods at me to sit in the chair across from him.

“Reach out?”

“Have you found a job yet?” he asks, his forearms resting on his desk, his hands clasped together. The sunshine through the window glints off his silver wedding ring, which is still so strange to see.

“No.” I clench my hands in my lap.

He shakes his head. “Victoria, Victoria, Victoria.” He pretends to be reprimanding me. “Have I taught you nothing? Secure the job and then give your notice.” His gaze flickers to my pad of paper. “You should jot that down for future reference.”

My pen stays planted in my hand and I wait for whatever he’s going to tell me.

“Before I tell you what Quinn suggested I do—I say suggested because I want you to remember I did it.”

“Noted.”

“I want you to say thank you, Jagger.”

I stare blankly at him. “Let me know what it is and then I’ll thank you.”

The smile falls from his lips. “Disappointing. Maybe I should be happy you’re leaving. I can have an assistant who will actually treat me with respect.”

“Oh, we both know you don’t want that.”

He pretends to narrow his eyes and then faces his computer and starts typing.

“Remember Hannah Crowley?” he asks.

“The investor for Vance’s film?”

Vance is Jagger’s best friend whose script is being made into a movie.

“Yeah. Well, I had been talking with her a few months ago and she decided to start a foundation for…” He eyeballs the ceiling. “Women empowerment or for girls or something I don’t fully remember. Anyway, guess what she needs?”

He asks me like he’s the host of a game show.

“Who is an assistant?” I answer like I’m on Jeopardy, my tone thick with sarcasm. Though I can’t deny the fact that he’s found this out and might be able to get my foot in the door, is what makes him great.

“Ding, ding, ding. Give the woman a prize.”

He spins the laptop around and on the screen is a woman on a couch holding a German Shepherd puppy while she stares down at some paperwork.

“I think you missed your calling in theater, Jag,” she says, her smile warm and welcoming. I see the Skype symbol at the bottom of the screen.

“I’m good at everything, Hannah.” He stands from his desk. “Now excuse me you two, my assistant forgot to bring me in a coffee this morning.” He rounds his desk and I’m speechless. Number one because I wasn’t expecting nor prepared to be interviewed by a potential employer today. Number two because I spilled an apple Danish on my blouse this morning and after spending ten minutes in the woman’s washroom, I have a huge wet spot just over my breast.

Jagger closes the door behind him.

“Hi, Victoria. I’m Hannah.” She waves like we’re long-time pen pals who just got the opportunity to talk online.

“Hi. I’m sorry. I’m not prepared.”

She smiles. “I know. No worries. I told Jagger I didn’t want you prepared. I don’t like all the nervousness and formalities of interviews, not to mention all the prepared answers. I’m kind of an odd duck.” She shrugs while her hand keeps petting the dog who’s now rolled up beside her on the sleek white couch.

“I’m just thankful for this opportunity. So, you’re looking for an assistant?” I adjust the screen to try to hide the wet spot on my blouse.

“I am. I hate to say though, you’ll be more of an office manager as well. We’re starting small. Me, you and a marketing manager, but we’ll have our hands in a lot of business.”

“What is the foundation for?”

“RISE is the name and it stands for Respect, Inspire, Support, Empower. It’s for young girls. My goal is to put programs in place for girls to meet and encourage one another to succeed. To find their own voice and use their own ideas to grow into well rounded women who are true to themselves.