Page 75 of One Good Crash

I snatched it up and felt my eyes widen. The answer to my question was shockingly clear, right there in nice big digits.The job paid very well.

With growing excitement, I scanned the description. From listening to Allie talk in Nashville, I was familiar with the duties she'd performed for that music producer. Compared tothatjob, this one would be a cakewalk.

I leaned forward. "What are the hours? Like, is this a Monday-to-Friday thing? Or is it weekends, too?"

"That depends," Jax said. "Yeah, there's a few weekends, and maybe some travel, but when that happens, you get time off during the week."

Time off.Allie hadn't hadthatin forever. I felt myself smile. "What about benefits?"

He pointed to the sheet. "You saw 'em."

Had I?I'd been so focused on the description and the salary that I hadn't noticed much else. Again, I looked to the sheet. "Full medical? And vacation time, too?"

Holy hell.This was Allie's dream job. And she'd be terrific at it. I was absolutely certain.

I looked to Jax. "Did you mean it when you said this wasn't a pity job?" Before he could even think to respond, I added, "I mean, it's a real job, and you want a real candidate." I swallowed. "Someone really good. Right?"

He looked at me for a long, silent moment before saying in a carefully neutral tone, "If I didn't, there'd be no offer."

I hesitated. "What's wrong?"

He frowned. "I know what you're gonna say. And I don't wanna hear it."

I shook my head. "But you can't know."

"Yeah? Try me."

I gave a nervous laugh. "Shouldn’tyoube tellingmeif you're the one who's reading my mind?"

"Fair enough." Looking decidedly unenthused, he said, "You want me to hire your friend."

I sat back. "Oh."Go figure.Apparently, hewasa mind-reader.

And now, I had to convince him.

Chapter 32

Before he could stop me, I launched into an impromptu sales pitch. "Okay, you're right. I do, but only because Allie's a perfect fit. And she'sreallyterrific."

Across from me, Jax looked anything but convinced. "Uh-huh."

"And she doesn'talwayssteal trucks." I paused. "I mean, borrow trucks."

"Uh-huh."

I bit my lip. That was the second "uh-huh" in a row. I wasn't a master negotiator, but evenIrealized that this wasn't a terrific sign.

I had to remind myself that of course he'd need alittleconvincing. He'd known Allie for how long now? An hour?

This might've been fine, except for the fact that during that hour, she'd cussed up a storm, trashed at least one bedroom, and led the police straight to his front door for grand theft, well, truck, I guess.

"Look," I said, "I know you probably don't believe me – and I can totally see why – but she really is wonderful. She's smart and capable, and really super loyal." My voice picked up steam. "And she's experienced, too."

On the other side of the desk, Jax's only response was a long, steady look.

Was that better than another "uh-huh"?

I wasn't sure.