“Sure thing, bro,” he said as if the words were poison.
“So, what do you want to talk to me about?”
Liam winked at me. “Let’s wait for the drinks, darlin’. So, you excited about this trip you and Colin are taking?”
I nodded. “I need to get away, and this seems like the best time to do it. I miss my dad like crazy but life goes on and lately, I’ve had a hard time doing that. Your father suggested the trip, and now that I have had a chance to consider my options, it’s for the best. Staying here in Seattle, wallowing over my loss and feeling sorry for myself hasn’t helped. I just feel like everyone—my mom and Caitlyn—has moved on and I’m just stuck in this place of inertia all on my own. It sucks, and if the trip can help me snap out of it then it’s all good, right?”
“True,” he replied as his eyes glazed over. He seemed to be deep in thought as a feeling of guilt washed over his face. It was weird because I barely knew the guy, and the last thing I needed was yet another person showering me with pity.
Colin delivered the drinks, and Liam’s mood did a one-eighty as he grabbed them and forced me to make my way through the crowded bar. We finally found an unused booth in the back and sat down. Miraculously, he hadn’t spilt any of our drinks. The dirty martinis were perfect, as usual.
The moment I tasted mine, I knew Colin was some sort of genius when it came to mixing drinks. It was absolutely lovely with just the amount of each ingredient, and the drink went down smoothly.
“Okay, let’s get this out of the way because I don’t want to cause any rifts between you and your brother. I like you, you’re a decent guy, but nothing is going to happen between us, is that clear?” I announced after I’d worked my way through half my martini.
“Wow, it really isn’t like that. Colin and I are just super competitive, but I know how much he likes you and I am certainly not trying to herd in on his territory. What can I say? I enjoy busting his balls and making him crazy jealous, but I respect you two like each other and I wouldn’t dare try to get you in bed with me. Not intentionally, at least…”
“Well then, maybe you oughta slow down your alcohol intake or you might do something you’ll regret and then I’ll have to use my self-defense skills.”
Liam downed his dirty martini and held his hands up in truce. “Hey, we wouldn’t want that. All I know is you are a beautiful young woman and Colin told me you went to our alma mater. A Harvard grad, eh? What did you get your bachelors in?”
“Business administration. I was working on my PhD when my dad’s accident happened, so technically, I have my bachelors and a masters in business administration, but I don’t have my PhD. Not that it matters, but I thought I should mention that.”
“You’re qualified enough, and besides the position I am offering is a dream for a professional student like you. I’m going to rescue you from a life of volunteering and not doing much else. Yes, I am offering you a job because when you get back from your vacation, eventually you’ll have to start looking for one. A resume filled with college degrees and volunteer work is great, but not every company is as progressive as ours. We like to spot talent and from where I am sitting, you have it coming out of your pores if you were to apply yourself,” Liam explained all business-like despite his level of intoxication.
I snickered. “Wow, so you want me to work for the same company as you do? I’m wondering if I should feel flattered or insulted. I mean, it’s kind of hard to start a round of interviews when I will be out of the country for the next month in a half or so.”
“Actually, you wouldn’t have to interview for the position. I am a partner with a controlling interest in uConnect. I want someone for the company, and my partners aren’t going to even question my decision. The job is yours if you want it after you get back from Europe. Rebecca doesn’t leave until four months from now anyway, but you can shadow her once you get back. Once she does leave, you should be okay to hit the ground off and running.”
I leaned against my arm as the alcohol I’d consumed on an empty stomach began to catch up with me. “So, what is this position?”
“Human resources manager. Yeah, I know, you have a MBA, but that makes you more than capable for the position. The salary is six figures, and the benefits are excellent. Not quite two-months vacation, but you do get twenty-days vacation as long as you’re willing to not take it all at one time. The hours are pretty normal, though you can choose your own schedule. Most employees work six am to three pm, seven am to four pm, or eight am to five pm. You also get to choose the days you work. Because we are not a normal company, some employees prefer working Sunday through Thursday or Saturday through Wednesday. Monday through Friday is the common schedule most employees choose, though. You might have to work some overtime, but nothing too drastic. How does that sound to you?”
I finished the rest of my dirty martini. “Seriously, why are you doing this for me? Is this some kind of pity offering or is it because I know Colin?”
Liam stared at me as if I’d lost my mind. “You’re highly qualified and to be honest, we’re a pretty incestuous company. We don’t hire much from the outside. People just continue to move up the ranks, and we actually run an internship program. Those who are successful get a job at the bottom and they have the ability to work their way up. It’s perfect, and it keeps the company young, vibrant, and full of people with fresh, new ideas. The partners and I usually go through our friends’ lists when a position comes up and there isn’t anyone qualified within the company to take the position. It has worked out so far, and it helps us hire American workers—you know, the whole get-Americans-back-to-work banter. We actually practice it, and on top of that, we get fat tax breaks for hiring locally. Most of the company consists of Americans, though we have people who have family that immigrated here from every corner of the world. We’re also one of Seattle’s most diverse companies, and that makes me proud. Why wouldn’t you want to work for us?”
I rolled my eyes and tried not to feel too self-righteous about all the accolades he was pouring on me, both about me and uConnect. Yes, I was more than qualified for the position, but it was definitely something I should have wanted to think about first. I wasn’t drunk, though I wasn’t completely sober either, and this was a major decision in my life I was about to make. However, in my excitement to impress my mother and sister along with the desire to move on with my life past my European vacation, I made up my mind right then and there.
“Sure, I would love to work for uConnect.”
Liam’s eyes lit up as a sly smile crossed his lips. “You won’t regret this. Come by the headquarters tomorrow and ask for me. We’ll get all your paperwork taken care of. I don’t want to give you an excuse to back out.”
“I won’t back out. I have given you my word, haven’t I? What time is good for you?”
“How about eleven in the morning? I usually take a late lunch, and I have a meeting scheduled at one.”
“See you then.” I slid out of the booth, stood up, and held out my hand to shake his.
He slid out of the booth and stood rather gracefully for someone who was quite drunk. Instead of taking my hand, he slipped his arms around my waist and planted a kiss on my cheek near my lips. “This is the only time I can do that and not be accused of sexual harassment, Ms. Bardot.”
I watched as Liam walked away and joined his buddies. My first thought was to say something to Colin, but I turned and legged it out of there. We could talk later.
***
“The only reason why he is offering you the position is because he’s sexually attracted to you, can’t you see that?”
I glared at Colin and tried to keep my temper in check. He wasn’t Drew and if I really expressed how I felt at that moment, he might take it the wrong way. Sadly, no man except my father knew me as well as Drew did, and it was best not to push the situation.
“I’m certainly not trying to gloat, but I do have an MBA from Harvard. Are you saying if I was ugly, he wouldn’t h
ave looked at me nor offered me the position?”
Colin sighed and stood from my bed. “No, not necessarily. You are overqualified and we both know it, but…I just wanted you to enjoy your time in Europe. Now all you’re going to do is observe from a distance and dream about getting back here so you can start work.”
“It had to happen sometime.” I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Listen, whether my sister believes you’re doing jobs that you’re overqualified for, you still work. The big difference is, I don’t. All I do is volunteer. I need to put something on my resume. I’m almost twenty-nine years old, and I have never had a job that wasn’t volunteering or doing something for the community. Yes, it is quite honorable but one of these days, I am going to have to start paying into Social Security, and what’s a better time than now? Going to Europe and getting this job will be a fresh start for me, and perhaps I can finally move past my father’s death and all this woe-is-me crap. I don’t like being the victim, and I won’t be played like one either.”
“What are you trying to say, Deirdre? That there is something wrong with you feeling guilty for what happened to your father? For missing him and mourning his death? You’re human, and nothing you have done has been out of character for anyone who has ever lost someone close to them.”
“Yeah, I know but I still feel like I’m hiding, and I don’t want to do that anymore. I don’t want to be that angst-ridden woman who can’t let anyone in for fear something might happen to that person That’s not how the world works. I can cocoon myself and never have a proper life or I can choose to take the chance to not allow the threat of losing someone to rule over me. We live in precarious times, and I want to enjoy life and all the great things about it. I am tired of wallowing in my own misery. It’s been long enough, and I have officially run out of excuses,” I explained in a rush of emotion.
Damn, it felt good just to speak the words, and for the first time, I actually believed what I was saying instead of spouting off a bunch of psycho-babble because that’s what I thought others wanted to hear from me.
Chapter Seven
The following day was interesting, to say the least.
After my heart-to-heart with Colin, I arrived earlier than usual to meet up with Liam at the uConnect Headquarters and filled out my employment paperwork. Afterward, we made small talk, and he quickly introduced me to his other two partners at uConnect: Jake Kagasuki and Dinesh “Dennis” Gupta. Both were born and raised in Seattle and highly intelligent techno geeks who would have fit in at Silicon Valley just as well as they fit into their present environment. The three had also been friends for a very long time and had all graduated from Harvard with MBA degrees along with bachelors in business.
“As you can see, we are seriously lacking in female talent, so it is great to have you on board,” Dennis said in an authentic Washington accent I had tried so hard to get rid of.
After a lot of work with voice coaches, I’d mastered the “California” accent by having no regional accent at all. Both were shocked and amazed I was a native of Washington state. They stated many times during our brief chat I didn’t sound like I’d been born and raised in Seattle.
My sister never gave a damn about losing her accent, so it was quite strange when we were together because her accent was pronounced while mine wasn’t noticeable at all.
Afterward, Liam offered to take me out to lunch. I agreed because I honestly thought any other answer would sound rude and unappreciative. He’d been the perfect gentleman and had not come on to me. Now that he was officially my boss, he treated me like a valuable employee he wanted to wine and dine—not because of a sexual interest, but because he wanted to keep me happy enough to stay with his company for a very, very long time. With my track record, I didn’t believe his attitude was too far-fetched. I was loyal, and it was obvious I didn’t like a lot of change. If I enjoyed uConnect as much as I’d enjoyed schooling and working for battered women’s shelters, then chances were I would be with the company for a long time.
One complaint Liam would never suffer from would be frugality. His choice of restaurant was one of the hippest and best in Seattle, Sitka & Spruce. I’d been to the restaurant more times than I could count, but it was always a treat. The place was damn near a city institution and the height of fine yet understated dining.
For an appetizer, he ordered bread, a vast array of cheeses specific to the Northwest, and salami. With a bottle of Evian we shared between us, the food was absolutely delicious and we hadn’t gotten to our entrees yet.
“I truly believe you are going to be happy at uConnect. That is the point, you know. We value the contentment of our employees, and we do everything in our power to make sure their needs are met.”
He paused and buttered a slice of soft bread. “For instance, many of our employees prefer to stay fit. There is a gym on site, and it is available twenty-four hours per day. There are security cameras attached, so you should never feel unsafe. I desperately want to convince you the right decision has been made. I’m not big on charity, but you impressed the hell out of Jake and Dennis. They both participate in Habitat for Humanity and the local chapter of Homes for Families in Need, so if you ever feel those heartstrings pull at you, I can get you in touch with either organization’s president and express to them you would like to work on future projects, whether it be Habitat or Homes for Families in Need or both if you’d like. You’re free to participate with outside activities as much as you want as long as it doesn’t affect the quality or production of the position you have just been hired to oversee.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why are you doing this for me?”
“Well, to be honest, I can see how much you are into my brother, and I want you to feel self-assured that a relationship between you two could be possible. He does have a reputation for being a ladies’ man, but it isn’t like that. He’s just picky, and I can see he likes you just as much as you like him,” Liam explained in a sincere tone.
I picked up a sliver of cheese and bit delicately. “So, basically, you have no ulterior motives other than setting me up with your brother? What if I don’t like him the way you think I do?”
“Well, your emotions are pretty transparent. I understand your complicated relationship with Drew, but it isn’t going to destroy their friendship if you end up with him. You two are going to be in very close quarters for at least one month. A lot can happen in that space of time. You’re a decent person, not to mention beautiful and intelligent. Why wouldn’t I want my brother to be happy? He deserves it after all this time, especially after Sierra messed him over.”
I sipped from my water. “As in Sierra Granger?”
“You know her?”
“We attended the same high school. She was always known as a heartbreaker. Unless I’m mistaken, isn’t she married now?”
Liam nodded. “The worst part is she was dating both Colin and Kevin at the same time. At the end of the day, she made her choice and dumped him just days before her engagement to Kevin was announced. It nearly destroyed him. You see, Colin was also a founding partner of uConnect with the three of us, but he equally sold his shares to Jake, Dennis and me. He hasn’t been interested in business much since then. He prefers to dick away his life on endless European vacations and working at that shitty little coffee shop and bar. To say he has disappointed our father is a grave understatement. He wants him to become a productive member of society again, and you might just be able to save him and force him to live up to the expectations set by our father.”
The waiter intervened, and we ordered our main courses. I chose the Neah Bay king salmon while Liam ordered the gently poached chicken. He also arranged for a very nice bottle of white wine to accompany our lunch.
“Do you think that is wise? I wouldn’t want you to go back to the office drunk,” I murmured as soon as the waiter collected our menus and left.
“Don’t worry about me. After all the bread I have consumed, it will soak up the alcohol, and
believe me I will be nicely buzzed but hardly drunk by the time I get back to the office.” His sky blue eyes met mine, and he stared intently at me. “However, I should tell you I actually do have ulterior motives. I have heard a fascinating rumor that Caitlyn is your sister.”
“You know she is. I have confirmed it for you previous times, or were you too drunk to remember? It’s hardly a rumor,” I snapped.
“Well, you two don’t look a damn thing alike.”
“Neither do you and Colin—not really, unless matching complexions and builds are tangible proof you’re siblings.”
“You know what I mean.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re very exotic looking and unique looking. Caitlyn is blonde, blue-eyed, porcelain-skinned, and untouchable.”
“Well, that comes down to genetics. We share the same father, but her mother is English. Mine was a southerner from Louisiana. However, I never knew her because she died when I was young. Jeanette is my legal mother, as she adopted me. However, Caitlyn is her biological daughter with my father.”
That look of sympathy was etched into his expressive eyes again. “It must have been devastating to lose your father. I mean, not so much because he was your only surviving biological parent, but because of the way he was taken from you. Do you want to talk about it?”
I grabbed a slice of salami and set it on top of a succulent piece of bread. “Not really. That’s what I pay your father for. And besides, it’s been a subject that has been talked about ad nauseum. I really do appreciate you wanting to know more about what happened, but I would rather not discuss it. That’s what the trip is about. Losing myself and actually exploring and visiting other places. I suppose different places and restaurants that don’t remind me of him.”
I sighed and closed my eyes for a moment. “Like this place. It was a family tradition to come here. I have tried almost every dish on the menu, and I always remember my dad when I am here. I can still see us laughing and joking here with Jeanette looking on in an amused fashion while Caitlyn sneakily devoured most of the bread.”
Atonement (The Atonement Duet Book 1) Page 6