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P aisley

Maggie leans back in her chair and gasps. “You have to accept the position!” We’re in her office next to the laundry room in the basement. “You can’t turn it down. You just can’t.” She picks up her coffee and takes a sip, groaning. “This is freaking amazing. The beans are from Guatemala. I’ve never tasted anything so damned good.”

I take a sip and smile. “It is good.” I nod.

“We’ve landed ourselves firmly in the butter. They’re spoiling us rotten. Fillet mignon for dinner? I mean, come on.” She grins. “I love how you gave the shifter king a piece of your mind.” She laughs. “I think it’s hilarious and totally amazing. Double your salary, Paisley. You would be insane to turn that down. I’m already earning double what I would normally make with all of my basic expenses covered. Look around you… Okay, not down here, but look around. It’s amazing on the island. It’s beautiful, with great weather and so many shifter men for the taking. I have a date tonight.” She grins again. “But wait! I digress… Tell me you’re taking it, please.”

“I don’t know.” I sigh.

“What’s holding you back?”

Him. But I can’t tell her that.

I shrug. “I’m a nurse. I…”

“Exactly. You can’t give me a real reason.”

“He has a Communications Liaison Manager. You should have seen the look Cathy gave me. She’s not happy at all.” I groan. “Why does it have to be so complicated?”

“It really isn’t. Cathy didn’t step up; you did. You should take the position on a probationary period. Probation periods can work both ways, by the way. If you don’t like it, then don’t do it, but at least you will have given it a try.”

I nod a few times.

“You don’t look convinced.”

“I’m not. It’s clear they could do with my help, though.” I take a sip of coffee. It really is delicious. Maggie wasn’t exaggerating.

“Especially after what happened to poor…” She lifts her eyes.

“Lauren,” I offer.

“That’s right… To poor Lauren. If only they’d listened to you in the first place.”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about. Although, you’re right…that was unfortunate. I’m talking about the itinerary. You can see that it was put together by a clueless man…shifter…whatever. You know what I mean. I can’t believe Cathy hasn’t questioned one or two of these activities.”

“What’s on it?”

“Whitewater rafting.”

Maggie chokes out a laugh. “Really?”

I nod. “And abseiling.”

“As in down cliffs and shit?” She laughs again.

I lift my brows and nod.

“They need you, babe. You have to help them.”

“I mean, there’s some good stuff on here, too. Maybe I can talk to Cathy about it. Get her take and see where her mind is at. Perhaps she is a little afraid of rocking the boat. Maybe this is the push she needs.”

“Maybe,” Maggie says.

“I’ll point out that a couple of the activities might not work. They have a hike planned for tomorrow afternoon. A hike.” I make a face. “No one has been properly introduced yet. It’s an hour-long, moderately difficult walk to the beach and then a picnic once there. Firstly, Lauren wouldn’t be able to join them at all, because the area is not accessible by car. She would need to be taken by a dragon. Can you imagine that? I asked Thorn, and that was his solution.”

Maggie starts laughing. “The solution was to take a woman so petrified by dragons she hurt herself running away in a mad panic. To take her by means of dragon transport. Where would she even sit?”

I shrug. “I didn’t get that far in the conversation. I stopped him there. Lauren will not feel comfortable catching a ride on a freaking dragon. Neither would I, for that matter.”

“It wouldn’t work.” Maggie shakes her head.

“Nope.” I sigh.

Maggie looks at her watch. “I hate to cut our fun short, but I need to get back to work.” She scrunches up the wrapper that held her sandwich and tosses it into the trash. “I really hope you take the position. You would be amazing at it. As Arctic said, it would just be part-time while they figure things out. Cathy will get over herself. I think it’s a good idea if you chat to her first.”

I nod. “I will. And I like the idea of a probation period. It’s a good one.”

“I’m full of them.” Maggie winks at me.

I look at my own watch. “I’d better hurry. Doc du Pont is expecting me back in ten minutes.” The thought of going back to the clinic leaves me cold. We’ve done everything there is to do. So far, Lauren has been our only patient. I’m bored to tears. Maybe something like this is what I need.

I just don’t know.

“See you later,” Maggie says. “I want to hear some good news, and then we’re having a glass of wine to celebrate.”

“I thought you had a date.”

“I do, but we can have wine together first. Chicks before dicks.”

I choke out a laugh. “We’ll see.” I stand. “I’ll let you know,” I tell her as I leave her office.

I chuckle to myself as I take the stairs. Maggie is a card. I feel so much better after talking things through with her.

A few minutes later, I knock on the door to Cathy’s office.

“One second,” she yells. A full minute later, she shouts, “Come in.”

I smell nail polish as I enter the small office. Her face falls as soon as she sees me, but she quickly smiles, hiding any sign of animosity. Or trying to, at any rate.

“Hi, Paisley,” she says in a singsong voice. “Take a seat, please.”

I note that two nails on her right hand are unpainted.

“I won’t waste too much of your time.”

“Let me guess, you’re here to tell me about your promotion.”

“It isn’t a promotion…not really. I’ll still work in my position as nurse. I’ll be assisting you for a short while…that’s all,” I say.

“Well…” She makes a noise like she isn’t quite buying it. “You’ll head up liaisons between the two species. Marcel, Thorn, and I will report to you. You’ll have the final say in everything and report directly to the king himself. I’d say that’s a promotion.” There’s more than just a hint of irritation in her voice. She clears her throat and puts the bright smile back on her face. “Congratulations, Paisley. I think it’s great.” It’s clear that she thinks it’s anything but great. I can’t really blame her. I’m stepping firmly on her toes here.

“I haven’t accepted the position yet.”

She narrows her eyes. “Really?” Then she smiles. “Oh…okay, I see.” Her smile turns genuine. “Not your thing?”

“Not really, no. I’m happy to stay in my lane as a nurse. Arctic gave me the itinerary. He was sure I would accept the position, but I needed to think about it.”

“And you’re leaning toward turning it down.” Her disposition is definitely brighter, lighter, and much happier.

I shrug. “Yeah, I guess I am. I see there’s a picnic planned for tomorrow.”

“Yeah, don’t you think that’s great? A picnic on the beach will be super romantic, as long as the weather holds. The walk is supposedly quite beautiful. They’ll get to know the island, so it’s of double value.”

On paper, it sounds good. I’m not sure it’s practical.

“They haven’t even met each other yet. There have been no introductions at all. I’m not sure they’re ready for something romantic yet. How will they talk on a hike that sounds like it could get technical?”

Cathy narrows her eyes. “I thought you weren’t taking the position. For someone who isn’t interested, you sound pretty keen.”

“I’m more than likely not. Look, I really think a hike and a picnic are not the best idea; not just yet. Perhaps something closer to home. Something short and sweet, like a cocktail party in the courtyard or at the castle, even.”

“We’re not permitted to hold events at the castle.”

“Why?” I frown.

“I don’t know why. We were told it’s out. Look, Paisley, I’m sure you’re a fantastic nurse. Understand that I’m a top event planner. I can run three events concurrently. I know what people want. I know what makes them happy, just like you’re good at…at…cleaning vomit and changing bedpans and…um…stuff. Leave it to me. I have it under control, I promise.”

“Good to know.” I smile. Now, I’m the one who has to force it. “What about Lauren?”

“Who?” Cathy frowns, looking at me like I just grew two heads.

“Lauren, the woman who got injured yesterday.” I widen my eyes because she should know her name.

“Oh! Yeah, of course. What about her?” she asks hesitantly.

“She won’t be able to hike for an hour, and the beach is inaccessible to vehicles.”

“Oh…” She waves her hand. “Of course. My brain sometimes.” She laughs. “Oh, um.” She turns serious. “She can sit the first day or two out. It’s her own fault for being so silly.” She rolls her eyes. “It was so stupid to run like that. Everyone loved the show, and she ran…really?” She laughs, but I don’t join in.

“I have to go, Cathy. Dr. du Pont is expecting me.”

“I’ve also got a lot to do.” She is smiling broadly. “Thanks for stopping by. I’m really glad we cleared that up.”

I note that she takes out the nail polish as I close the door.