Playing for Kicks (Play Makers Book 5) (44 page)

The free suite at the Ashton would expire in
two weeks. She could drag this out. Or she could make a
decision.

Commitment-phobic? Hardly.

So she told Ed, “I’ve got five minutes before
my shift starts. And I need to make a phone call. So .
. .”

“I’ll cover for you, so take your time.”

“In answer to your question, I’ll probably
move to Portland in the next few weeks. Assuming the stars
align.”

“They will,” he said, his voice choked with
emotion. “You deserve it, Tess. So they will.”

• • •

Ducking into Ed’s office, she texted Erica,
asking if she had time for a two-minute chat. In response, Tess’s
phone rang quickly, playing the same James Taylor ring tone Sean
used for the ad exec, because why not?

Whenever I see your smiling face
. . .

Charmed, Tess answered it, saying, “That was
fast.”

“Are you madly in love? Did you guys elope?
Details,
please?”

“My God, woman, control yourself. I’m calling
about the job, not the sex. Although I’m not gonna lie, the sex was
amazing.”

When Erica didn’t respond right away, Tess
laughed happily. Such a good friend, trying to decide what mattered
more. Help at work, Tess in love, or Sean Decker getting laid.

“The job? You mean you’ll be my assistant?
Oh, my God, yay! I’m
buried
under a mountain of work. I know
you think I’ve been exaggerating, but it’s true.”

“That’s good because it works for me too. As
long as . . .” She laughed self-consciously. “It’s not a
long-term commitment, right? Or at least, not necessarily. Because
I have no idea what will happen next with the writing career.”

“We heard about your sale to
SI,”
Erica told her softly. “What a coup. So I agree—you’re taking this
temporary position to compensate for the bartending income.
Nothing’s carved in granite. But we’ll have so much fun.”

Touched, Tess reminded her, “You don’t
actually have authority to hire me though, right? You said Carlos
Rorsch has to interview me.”

“It’s a formality, I promise. He wants to
keep me happy. And I’m
so
not happy under my mountain of
work, so it’s in the bag.” She hesitated, then asked warily, “Are
you saying you’re ready to interview with him? I’ll be there too,
of course, so no big deal. But still, it’s a big step for
you
. I get that.”

“Set it up,” Tess said cheerfully. “Any time,
any place. I’ll be there.”

“And you’re in love with Sean?
Please
admit it. I’m dying here.”

“I like him a lot. And I’m
sleeping
with him, so your job is done. Let’s just see what happens,
okay?”

To Tess’s surprise, Erica said quickly, “It’s
more
than okay. Our friendship doesn’t depend on your
relationship with Sean. If you end up with him, great. But you and
me? We’re in a book club, for God’s sake. That has to mean
something, doesn’t it?”

“Are you crying?” Tess asked, honestly
confused by the sniffling on the other end of the call.

“I’m just so happy,” Erica admitted. “Because
I’m finally getting some help at work. And because we love hanging
out with you. Especially Johnny. You should have seen his face when
he read what you wrote about him.”

Tess felt a surge of professional delight.
“He liked it?”

When Erica just sobbed, Tess laughed fondly
and told her, “Let’s talk in person at book club. You’re too
emotional on the phone.”

Erica laughed sheepishly. “I hope you read
your assigned chapters. In between
pancakes,
of course.”

“I’ll do it tonight, I promise. And I’ve
gotta go, Erica. My shift starts in zero minutes.”

“Go. I’ll send Carlos an email. But his
schedule is crazy, so it could be a few days. Maybe even a
week.”

Tess assured her there was no hurry, then
hung up and clocked in for her shift. To her surprise, she received
a text from Erica moments later, saying:
Tomorrow at noon? BFD
btw.

Tess smiled as she translated it into “big
effing deal by the way.” In other words, Carlos was hot to make
Erica happy, and this interview was in fact a formality.

So she sent a quick response:
Im there.
Thnx a zill.

Just him Not me Dunno Y.

Tess laughed, then suggested:
Scent 2
distracting? Wants a quickie? No prob Im still there. Gotta
run.

She ended the exchange, knowing Ed would
gladly let her move tomorrow’s Monday shift to the next Monday.
Anything to prolong the good-bye. And Tess was right there with
him, since they had been through so much together.

So she could finish this shift, visit with
the other Ed tonight, and drive down for the interview tomorrow
morning. Then she could make the turkey for Triple Threat group
next Sunday, drive up Monday morning for her really,
really
official last day at Zone D, then hang out with Sean as much as
humanly possible before football season started.

And in the meantime? She would meet one of
the most celebrated geniuses of their century—Carlos Rorsch. If it
had been a
real
job interview, she might have been
intimidated. But the guy needed Erica, and Erica wanted Tess.

So this job was in the bag. And since it was
part-time and temporary, it was right up Tess’s alley. Not because
she was commitment-phobic, but because things were in flux—in a
good way—and given the connection between her and Sean, they could
only get better.

• • •

When she talked to Sean after her shift it
was already midnight, so they made it quick, mostly in deference to
his early-morning training camp.

“Are you and Erica having book club on
Tuesday?”

“As far as I know.”

“After that it’s you and me, right? I miss
you, babe. I got spoiled.”

“Me too. Plus, these clothes are bugging me.
I can’t wait to take them off and
keep
them off.”

It was tempting to tell him about the
interview, but more fun to surprise him once she actually had the
job. Meaning, once she knew she would move to Portland for
sure.

He chuckled. “Sounds like a plan. Meet me at
my place after practice. We’ll order in.”

“Okay. Have fun with Coach R. Don’t kick the
ball too far.”

“I won’t. Good night, babe.”

“Good night, Romeo,” she said happily. “Don’t
let the bed bugs bite.”

• • •

It didn’t occur to her to worry about the
interview until she was halfway to Portland the next morning.
Surely Erica had greased the wheels. But if it was a wink-wink, why
had Rorsch excluded Erica from the meeting?

He’s a genius,
she decided grimly.
He’s not going to trust someone else’s judgment, even if that
someone is Erica. And since she probably told him you’re a personal
friend, maybe he’s against it! It almost makes sense. His company
is famous for hiring the best and brightest, not the babe sleeping
with an employee’s close friend. Especially if the babe is a
certified underachiever.

Trying not to panic, she reminded herself she
was wearing another hand-me-down from Jill, this one even classier.
A sharp black suit with a gray silk shell. Unfortunately, the waist
was even tighter than on the navy blue one—a tribute to Jill’s
obnoxious habits of jogging and biking.

Think about what he’ll ask,
she
instructed herself.
He has your résumé already, even though it’s
a joke for someone like him. You graduated in philosophy, not IT or
even creative writing. No summa cum laude or even the other cum
laude. Now you’re a bartender with delusions of journalism.

It wasn’t looking good, so she pulled into a
rest area and dialed her successful sister.

“Tess? Are you okay?” Jill demanded.

“Hi, sis. I need some quick advice.”

“From
me?
Did hell freeze over?” she
asked with a light laugh. “What’s up, sissie?”

“Don’t get hysterical,” Tess teased, “but I
have a job interview in less than an hour. At Rorsch Enterprises.
You’ve heard of them, right?”

Jill’s voice grew hushed. “Doing what? Never
mind, that’s wonderful! They’ll love you in spite of your job
history because you’re so loveable.”

“Thanks. I think.”

“What are you wearing?”

“Your black suit. Thanks again for the
rejects.”

“I loved that suit. Did you get it altered?
Because . . .”

Tess laughed. “It’s a little long. And tight
in the waist. So I’ll probably pass out, but otherwise, it fits
perfectly.”

“If you would just do one hour of yoga, three
times a week—”

“I have two words for you,” Tess drawled.
“Downward Dog. Ergo, I’m out.”

Jill giggled knowingly.

“Here’s my problem, sis. I’m not sure what
Rorsch will ask me, and I want to be prepared.”

“You’re interviewing with Carlos Rorsch
himself?” Jill’s tone turned protective. “You’re a very pretty
girl, Tess. And these guys think they’re God’s gift. They can turn
on the charm—”

“Jill? Can you please focus? My new best
friend works there, so it’s legit. Just help me figure out what to
say.”

As usual, Jill was quick. “I wish I had my
interview files handy, but let’s go with the standard Q&A.
He’ll ask you what your greatest strength is. You’ll say it’s
adaptability. Then he’ll ask you your greatest weakness, and you’ll
say you’re too eager to please. That basically makes you an
employer’s dream.”

Tess grimaced. “But you don’t think it’s
true, do you? That I’m too eager to please?”

“You serve drunken men in the middle of the
night. So yes, mission accomplished.”

“And
you
represent murderers on Death
Row. So
your
biggest weakness is a rampant death wish.”

They both laughed at the familiar put-downs.
Then Jill told her, “He’ll ask you where you want to be in five
years. Then ten years.”

“I’ll tell him I want to be a successful
journalist. Because that’s true. And guess what, Jillie? I sold an
article to
Sports Illustrated
. The magazine. So who knows?
Maybe I really will succeed at it.”

“You can succeed at anything,” Jill told her
warmly. “The sky’s the limit. And if you really get a job at Rorsch
Enterprises?
That’s
success with a capital S. Even Dad would
be wowed. Although he’s already so proud of you—”

“Save it for someone who believes in Santa,”
Tess muttered. “But if I can impress my big sister, I’m sold.
Thanks a ton for the help.”

“Wait! How did you get the interview in the
first place?
Please
tell me the new best friend is a guy.
And the guy isn’t Alligator Man.”

Tess shrieked with laughter. “It’s Gator Guy,
not Alligator Man. You’re so literal, Jillie. And no, I’m not
seeing him anymore. But I do have a new boyfriend. He’s amazing.
Oh! I’m going to be late. I’ll tell you about him later.”

“I’m leaving for London tomorrow, remember?
For six weeks. To teach that wonky seminar. But you can call me
there anytime. Assuming you can figure out the time
difference.”

“You’re such a math bitch,” Tess said with a
laugh. “Is Colin coming for the whole six weeks?”

“He’s not coming at all. Which is fine with
me.”

“Huh?”

“He wants to paint the condo while I’m
quote-unquote out of the way.”

Tess’s heart sank. She liked her
brother-in-law, but only because he made Jill happy. If that ever
changed . . .

“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Jill said
apologetically. “Colin just needs a break. So do I. And according
to experts, that’s normal every five or six years. So just think
about your sale to Sports Enterprises. I’m so proud of you,
sissie.”

“I’m proud of you too,” Tess murmured, her
spirit drooping on her sister’s behalf. Jill and Colin? The yin and
yang of the legal world? If
they
couldn’t make it work, what
hope was there for the rest of them?

“What time is your interview?” Jill
prodded.

“
Oh!
Call me when you land in London!
But don’t wake me up. I love you, sis.”

“Love you too, sissie. Knock ’em dead.”

• • •

As Sean drove through his iron gate on Monday
afternoon, his plan was simple. Find his old guitar in the storage
rafters, tune it up, and practice that Eagles song. Maybe “Kokomo,”
too.

Then he saw the RAV4.

Awesome.

Before he could wonder why she was home a day
early, she stepped out onto the porch and gave him a cheerful wave.
Her outfit—a sleek black suit and tall heels—intrigued him. It also
got him surprisingly hot, surprisingly fast, because she looked
like a star from a TV lawyer show.

Hurrying up the steps, he settled his hands
on her shoulders and said with a grin, “You look so damned
hot.”

“So do you.” Her fingertips grazed his jaw.
“I’m glad you came straight home.”

“Me too.” He cleared his throat, going for
the high road even though he wanted to strip her naked. “Why the
suit? Did you have interviews for the superstition article
today?”

“Actually, Carlos Rorsch interviewed
me
. I wanted to surprise you, so—
surprise.”

A million thoughts flooded his brain. Did
this mean she was moving to Portland? Or just commuting? Was it a
month-to-month thing? Or semi-permanent? Could he coax her into
spending the night so often, they would basically be living
together?

“Let’s sit,” he suggested, motioning toward
the living room.

“We definitely need to talk. Do you want a
drink?”

“Do I
need
a drink?” he asked, only
half kidding.

She gave a rueful laugh. “It’s a crazy
situation, trust me. But good, I think. Or at least, shades of
good.”

Wary, he wrapped his arm around her waist and
led her to the sofa. When they were seated, he said, “He
interviewed you? But what? He changed the terms? Wants you to
follow a set schedule? Or earn less? Because that’s bullshit.”