Page 57 of Second Time Around

“Why the hell would I tell HR?”

“You wouldn’t but she might. Sexual harassment in the workplace and all that.” Greg spread his hands and shrugged.

“She’s not that type.” Will rubbed the back of his neck in irritation. “I don’t even know that she’ll accept the job.”

Greg looked relieved. “So you haven’t discussed it with her yet.”

“I would never make that kind of decision without running it by you first. You know that damn well.”

“Sex can cloud even the strongest man’s judgment,” Greg said. He grinned again. “Especially the kind of sex that makes you smile.”

“I wasn’t having sex when I ... never mind,” Will said, realizing that Greg was baiting him.

Greg’s grin widened, then faded. “Give me a couple of hours to think about this and do some research,” he said. “But I gotta admit that I’ve never known you to have a bad idea.”

“You’re forgetting my insistence that we open ten locations on the same day.” Will stood.

“You were younger then.”

“People keep reminding me of my age,” Will complained.

“You just need to get old like me and then people are afraid to comment on your age.”

Will chuckled and returned to his own office. After his night with Kyra, he felt relaxed enough not to rush around but energized enough to start a whole new pet division of Ceres. He’d been toying with the idea since the evening at Stratus, so he trusted his instincts about its viability. However, it was Kyra’s revelation about her financial situation that had kicked him into gear. This was the only way that he could think to help her with her money problems. The person in charge of launching Ceres for Canines would command an impressive salary.

He grimaced. He hadn’t lied about his concern that Kyra would refuse the position. He would have to get Greg to make her the offer. Otherwise, she would never accept.

But he had to try because he hated the defeat in Kyra’s eyes. And the waste of her potential.

He didn’t want to think about the other reasons he felt such a compulsion.

Two hours later, Greg sat down in a chair in front of Will’s desk. “I think you’re onto something with the dog food. Turns out people are pretty wacko about their pets and willing to spend money when they live in more urban centers. It won’t play in Peoria, though.”

Satisfaction surged through Will. He nodded. “Agreed about the much-maligned Peoria. Limited locations will make it even more appealing to the upscale pet owner.”

“Are we doing cats, too?”

“As far as I know, cats also have sensitive stomachs.”

“Gerbils?”

Will laughed. “No rodents.”

“That’s a relief.” Greg folded his hands over his stomach. “Now tell me about this college friend of yours.”

“I think you should interview her and draw your own conclusions,” Will said. “I’ll give you her contact information.”

“Do I get a résumé to review?” Greg’s tone verged on skeptical.

“Her experience is nontraditional, so her résumé won’t really help your evaluation.”

Greg rolled his eyes. “MBA jargon.”

“Not all jargon is meaningless. She’s not corporate, but she’s extremely bright and hardworking. And she’s already developed the dog food.” Inspiration sparked in his brain. “We could tie the dog food launch into benefiting the K-9 Angelz program. We could even use their dogs as beta testers. The PR would be incredible.” And it would be extra leverage to get Kyra to take the job.

“I’d like to see this place first,” Greg said.

“Not a problem.” Will wanted to see it, too, since he was basing a new venture on it.