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My eyes narrowed. Why bring it up? Plenty of people lived long lives running from their problems. I could too, if I got enough money to pay my bills while doing so.
“That’s all in the past,” I said slowly. It didn’t sound very convincing.
A tilt of Levi’s head told me he wasn’t convinced either. “Are you sure about that?”
“Very sure. I can prove it in my job interview, which I really need to be getting to.” I tried to tug my hand out of his grip, but it tightened.
“Did you know this was my company?”
I gritted my teeth. “No. A friend works here, and he got me an interview.”
“He?”
“Yes. He. I can have friends of all genders.” My eyes finally met his. “Even assholes, apparently.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Not you,” I rushed to say. “Other assholes?”
“What job are you interviewing for?”
“The receptionist position. I promise I’m much better around people who didn’t ruin my birthday.”
“I’m sure you are,” he said. “But I don’t think that listing is a good fit for you.”
Shit.“No, wait. I can prove that I’d be good at it. Levi, I seriouslyneedthis job. Please don’t kick me out before I can interview for it.”
He held up a hand and I shut my mouth, embarrassed that I’d practicallybeggedfor this already. “I wasn’t kicking you out. I have an idea of a better fit.”
“And what’s that?”
“Come to lunch with me and we can discuss it.”
“Lunch?” I repeated slowly.
“That’s what I said.”
“Why would I—” I stopped myself before I could offend him more and pushed down my annoyance.
“Why would you what?”
It was like he was testing me, and I was so close to failing.
“I don’t go to lunch with random guys.”
“I’m not a random guy. I’ve known you for years.”
“And of those ten years, there was only about an hour where you were nice to me, and it was to fuck over my brother. So pardon me if I don’t trust you.”
“You don’t trust me, yet you want to work at my company?”
Damn it. He had a point.
I didn’t want to see him more than I had to, but if Iworkedfor him, I would be in his presence for forty hours a week.
Did I like that idea?
No.