Finding Mr. Write (Business of Love #5) - Ali Parker Page 0,91
special skills,” I muttered.
Walker snorted.
Briar scowled at me. “You won’t benefit from said special skills if you make cracks like that at me.”
“Sorry,” I amended quickly.
She nodded, satisfied with the apology, but I caught a smile playing in the corner of her lips.
“Anyway,” Briar said, clasping her hands together. “Dinner is ready. Grab your plates from the table and help yourselves. I suggest putting the rice on your plate and then moving on to the Crockpot, but if you want to be a psychopath and do it the other way around, go right ahead.”
We fetched our plates from the table and collected our food. Briar had prepared a delicious-looking dish. In the Crockpot was chicken and veggies which had all been simmering on low all day in a sweet, tangy sauce to be served over coconut rice.
The first bite had my taste buds singing hallelujah.
Walker praised her for the meal. “You can invite me over for dinner anytime.”
“The more the merrier.” Briar grinned.
Chapter 39
Briar
“I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out.” I was pleased that both Walker and Wes had enjoyed their meals so thoroughly that they’d even gotten up and helped themselves to a second serving.
Walker leaned back in his chair with his beer. “It was delicious. Best meal I’ve had in a long time. Can we circle back to this job-hunting stuff?”
“What about it?” I asked as I set my utensils down on my empty plate.
Walker studied me for a moment. “As I’m sure Wes has told you, I own a couple of art galleries. One here in New York, another in Los Angeles, and a third in Miami. I travel between the three but spend most of my time here and business has been rapidly picking up and I need an extra set of eyes and hands to help me manage things. Please don’t think this is a handout. It’s just good timing. I need someone with attention to detail to step in and work as the receptionist at my New York gallery as well as overseeing shipping, inventory, and sales. You could set your own schedule and take as much vacation as you need. Is this something that might interest you?”
I stared slack-jawed at Walker. Was he being serious?
Wes looked back and forth between me and his best friend. “Do you need a bit of time to think it over, Briar?”
I licked my lips and nodded. “Yes, please. I, um, I’m sorry, Walker. I didn’t expect that. Are you sure I’m the right person you’d want to offer an opportunity like that to? I don’t know anything about art and the nicest thing I’ve ever sold was a coffee mug.”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t sure,” Walker said. “You have the right personality for it. You’re welcoming, charming, friendly, and clever. My galleries aren’t serious or severe places. I want people to enjoy themselves while they’re there, and I think you can bring that element to the New York location. It’s not a bad commute, either. Maybe twenty-five minutes or so?”
I rubbed my hands down my thighs as my palms grew clammy with nerves. “I don’t know.”
Wes leaned forward. “Is the only reason you’re uncertain because you feel like this offer wouldn’t happen if you weren’t with me?”
I looked up at Wes from beneath my brows and nodded. “Maybe?”
“Fuck Wes,” Walker said.
“Hey now,” Wes said.
Walker waved him away dismissively. “Your relationship with him has nothing to do with it. How about we do a trial run? We start with one month and see if you like it. If it’s not a good fit, you can pass on the job, no hard feelings. If you like it, we can negotiate terms.”
“Terms?” I asked.
Walker nodded. “Benefits, salary, vacation, you know, that sort of thing.”
“That sort of thing,” I whispered.
Was this actually happening? Had yet another opportunity just fallen into my lap? Was it really in my best interest to work for Wes’s best friend? What was more, was it a genuine offer, or was Walker just trying to be nice? I didn’t want him to take a chance on me and hire me if there were other people out there who would be a better fit for his business.
“You think about it,” Walker said. “There’s no rush on getting back to me. I just figure if you can break Wes out of his shell, you can do anything.”