Part 17 (2/2)
”Evie,” Headmaster Thane said, surprising her from behind one morning. ”I need to speak to you about an important matter.” He motioned for her to get up.
Her stomach flip-flopped. Had he noticed that she never used the computer? That she delegated all Internet work to a high school senior on probation? That she interrogated the poor kid about his mother, a Brighton trustee, every chance she got? She followed him into his office, anxiously reliving the moment the partners.h.i.+p committee announced she was caput.
”Have a seat,” he said, and she settled into a leather armchair opposite his desk.
”Evie, what can I say? Your work has been exceptional. We are all very impressed with the way you have handled the contract negotiations and dealt with the sometimes difficult members of our board. I know Julianne was very impressed with you. We're hoping you will consider accepting our offer of full-time employment. Initially, we were looking for someone with experience in the education sector, but I just don't think it's necessary. You've been fantastic.”
Evie exhaled deeply. She wasn't being reprimanded. Thane had no idea she was lawyering like a Luddite or that she was using her ”intern” (as she'd taken to thinking of Jamie) inappropriately. On the contrary, she was being commended. It felt so nice to have her hard work and skills appreciated that it took a moment to sink in that she had a decision to make.
”So what do you say? I know we can't pay you like your firm did, but your hours would be a heck of a lot better and you'd have a great deal of autonomy.”
And I'd get to work for someone who wears bow ties and elbow patches every day, Evie thought, looking at the professorial-looking Thane. Brighton, and especially Thane, had her pining for her college days-a happier time, and definitely a calmer period in her life, when she didn't feel like the clock was running out on her to GET THINGS DONE. A period of her life when dating was for fun, not for marriage, and friends were drinking partners-not life coaches. The offer was certainly worth consideration.
”I'm very flattered. But I need time to think it over.”
”Of course. Take a week or two. We'd love to have you on board.”
Back at her desk, Evie found Jamie in his cube listening to his iPod. He pulled out his earbuds when he saw her.
”In trouble with Headmaster Tame?” he teased.
”No, quite the opposite. He offered me a full-time job.”
”Congrats. You gonna take it?”
”I'm not sure. Lots to think about.”
”This place is pretty cool. I mean, they let me work here instead of-”
”Jamie,” she interrupted. ”I need help hanging these posters in Mrs. Loo's cla.s.sroom. I can't leave them lying around the office anymore.”
”Sure, let me get those for you,” he said, lifting up two of the frames and trotting alongside her up the stairwell.
”I guess a hammer and nails would have been useful,” Evie said, a touch out of breath. ”Not sure why I didn't think of that.”
After an unsuccessful stop in Tracy's cla.s.sroom, she and Jamie were cramped into the supply closet, located in the school's subcellar. He was on a stepladder fis.h.i.+ng through a toolbox.
”It's cool,” Jamie said. ”I was planning to skip Spanish anyway.”
”Sorry about the trek up and down the three flights. I know these posters are heavy.”
”I don't mind at all. But you look like you're freezing down here.”
She was. There was no heat in the bas.e.m.e.nt, and Evie was wearing a thin blouse.
”Take my sweats.h.i.+rt,” he said, offering her a generously sized zip-up.
She slipped it on gratefully.
”Hey! I found something,” he said, producing hooks and a bag of nails. ”Now we just need a hammer.”
He climbed off the ladder and started opening random boxes. Evie did the same, and together they combed the four-by-six storage shed, b.u.mping into each other apologetically.
”I think I see one,” he said, reaching for the box behind Evie's back.
”Great, because I'd love to get this done today. Tracy, I mean Mrs. Loo, is going to have the baby any day and I'd really love it if-hey, what are you doing?” she shrieked.
Jamie had snaked his hand up the back of her s.h.i.+rt. He was fumbling with her bra clasp. Before she could say another word, his mouth was on hers.
His lips felt plump, the skin around them baby smooth. She almost did it. She almost kissed back. Jamie, after all, was not your average hormonal, acne-laden teen. How easy it would have been to meet his tongue with hers. To have a victory over Eleanor, and a symbolic win over Cameron Canon. But no. It wasn't okay, no matter how fabulous his mother was. She was not going to make out with a student. That was sick.
”Jamie, stop it. This can't happen.” She pushed him off of her.
”Don't worry, I'm eighteen,” he said, lunging back at her.
”That is not the issue,” she said.
”Then why not?” he whined, like a little boy used to getting whatever he wanted. ”You've been leading me on for months.”
”I've what? No I haven't!”
”You ask me to send e-mails for you. Seriously? That's clearly just a way to have us work together. And the other day you asked me to describe my bedroom to you.”
”That's because of your mom! I wors.h.i.+p Julianne Holmes-Matthews. I was curious how your room was decorated.”
He looked so hurt and confused, Evie actually felt sorry for him. What had she done?
”What about all the touching in the office?”
That part was true. Their flimsy excuses to touch each other (”You dropped something . . . There's a thread on your pants . . . Here let me help you with that”) were as transparent as they come.
She had just wanted to feel another human. Was that a crime? Jamie represented something she felt she'd no longer be able to attain at her age-a partner without baggage. If Edward was an open book, then Jamie was a blank book. The way she was at that age. Before her father died, before she gave nearly a decade to a thankless job, before Jack shredded her heart to smithereens, and before technology fast-tracked the pace of everything around her. Back when her world was still whole and complication-free.
”I don't know what you're talking about. I mean, we do work six inches apart, so of course we knock into each other.”
”Well, what about the computer stuff? Why are you always asking me to Google things?”
”Because I don't use the Internet. I haven't for six months already.”
She might as well have been a one-eyed Martian the way Jamie looked at her in that moment.
”That's weird. It just really seemed like you were into me. You gave Eleanor the stink eye every time she came to visit. C'mon, Evie. I think you're just holding back because I'm a student. I won't tell a soul, I promise.”
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