A smooth, deep masculine voice came over the line. “Hello, am I speaking with Quinn Erickson?”
“This is she.”
“Hello, Ms. Erickson, this is Nathan Fedrick with Lipman Financial. I hope I’m not bothering you on this nice, quiet Sunday.”
“Uh, no. Not at all. I…uhm…how may I help you Mr. Fedrick?”
I heard a slight chuckle over the phone. “Call me Nathan, please. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting you to answer your phone, Ms. Erickson. I had every intention of leaving a message and waiting for you to get back to me on Monday or ignore me altogether.”
“If it’s Nathan for me, then it’s Quinn for you,” I insisted.
“Well, Quinn. I saw you updated your Linked In profile recently with your SMA Global promotion and I was hoping we could meet.”
I was taken a little by surprise. I always updated my online work profiles and resumes because, hey, shit happens and you never know when you’ll need a job and it never hurts to make connections. This was, however, the first time I’ve been seriously contacted about a job opportunity. A lot of companies couldn’t compete with SMA, so most didn’t bother to try. “Regarding?”
“Look, I’m going to be completely honest with you. There is no way we can complete with what I’m sure is a fabulous employment package that SMA provides for you. However, I’m hoping I can entice you with the work rather than with the pay.”
The feelings of hurt and rejection were what conjured up my next words. “When would you like to meet, Nathan?”
“Well, I’m extremely busy the next couple of weeks unless you’re willing to meet for a business dinner. Not to mention, I’m sure in your current position, you’re probably busy as hell too.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Yeah, working for the S, M and A at SMA is extremely fulltime.”
“I can imagine. They aren’t a powerhouse because their employees are lazy.”
I threw caution to the wind. “How about now?”
“At the threat of sounding like I have no life, now would work,” he quickly said. “We could call it a business lunch instead. How about we meet at Bouche’s?”
“That’ll work, Nathan. See you in about twenty minutes or so?”
“See you then, and Quinn, thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I know the odds of luring you away from SMA are slim, but I think by your resume profile, you’re worth it.”
I smiled into the phone at his obvious appreciation. “I look forward to it, Nathan.”
I hung up the phone and looked up to find everyone giving me side long glances over their food. I walked over to the table, and like kismet announcing its arrival, I saw that there was no room for me to sit even if I had decided to stay and eat.
Talk about fate slapping you in the face.
Chapter 19
Pride: Because there are more where you came from!
Quinn~
I headed over to the table wondering if anyone could see the sweat practically dripping off my palms. This shit was actually nerve racking.
“Quinn, sweetheart, let me-”
I knew Mrs. Alexander was about to give up her seat for me so I stopped her. “Uhm, I have to go.” I looked over at my sister. “Would you be too pissed if I asked you to pack up your plate to go?”
I could see Avery’s face contort with annoyance. She thought I was leaving because of Chase and Lydia. I needed to clarify before she went all fists of fury on Chase. “I…uhm, I just got a call from Nathan Fedrick…”
It surprised me when Julian spoke up, “Nathan Fedrick with Lipman Financial?”
Everyone was looking at me now. “Uhm, yeah. He pulled up my Linked In profile and called me just now to request a meeting for a job opportunity.”
The table went silent. I kept my gaze on Julian because he was my direct boss. He deserved my attention and an explanation. He studied me with his all-knowing hazel eyes. “I didn’t know you were looking for a new job.”
“I wasn’t…I mean, I’m not. I…” I lifted a shoulder. “He said he wanted to talk to me about a job opportunity he hopes I’ll find challenging. I wasn’t looking for a new job, but he’s got me curious.”
Lydia didn’t know better when she piped up, “A new job opportunity? How exciting.”
I looked over at her and I just couldn’t help myself. “If this pans out for me, then that’s another position you can fill.”
Chase stood up. “Qui-”
I looked away from him back to my sister and Michael. “Do you guys mind dropping me off at Bouche’s?”
Iz and Ace remained quiet as Audrey and Michael stood up and started gathering their food. Isabella finally shook herself out of her stupor. “Why don’t you guys just leave the food? We can put it away. Since it’s a Sunday, maybe the three of you can all have a nice lunch with Nathan at Bouche’s.”
I gave her my most grateful smile. “That’s a great idea, Iz.” I wouldn’t have them sitting with me and Nathan, but I could treat them to lunch at another table.
Michael made their goodbyes. “Thanks for having us. It was really nice to finally meet all you guys, especially now that you’re damn near family.”
Audrey thanked them as well. “Yes, thank you so much. It was fun.”
I looked from Iz to Ace and back. “I’ll call you guys later.” I looked up over at Mrs. Alexander. “Thanks again, Mrs. Alexander.” She just nodded and I didn’t look back as I walked out of the backyard with my sister and Michael.
As soon as we got in Michael’s car, Audrey rushed out, “Oh my God, Q! Talk about a saving grace.”
I was buckling myself in when I answered her from the back seat. “What do you mean?”
Michael was pulling off when Aud turned in her seat as much as she could to look at me. “Are you kidding me? Talk about fucking awkward. You getting that call was The Good Lord keeping all of us out of jail.”
I caught Michael nodding out of the corner of my eye. “She’s right, you know. It was only a matter of time before the girls turned on Chase and then they would have killed him, and then out of loyalty, Julian and Nick would have had to kill the girls. It would have been a horrible bloodbath with only Mrs. Alexander left standing, I’m sure.”
“Good thing I got that call then, huh?”
Audrey nodded in agreement. “What are you going to do about Chase?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “There’s nothing to do. He’s obviously moved on and I have too much self-respect to fall apart over it.”
Michael snorted. “You mean too much pride.”
“Same thing, Michael,” I snipped. “I’ll call upon whatever I need to in order to not become that girl.”
“But Q…” Aud started.
“But nothing,” I interrupted. “Look, let’s table Chase for a bit so I can concentrate on this interview. I know you guys didn’t get a chance to eat, so pick a table and I’ll pay for your lunch while you guys wait for me.”
They didn’t agree or disagree as we rode the rest of the way in silence. I didn’t blame them for their curiosity about the situation with Chase, but I really didn’t want to show up to my interview all a crying, puffy-eyed mess. I needed to block out my emotions and concentrate on what I could control, and right now, that was this interview.
After arriving at the restaurant and giving the hostess my name, she led me to where Nathan sat waiting for me. Michael and Audrey found their own table and I was so utterly grateful for their support on all of this.
As I approached the table, I noticed that Nathan Fedrick was hot as hell. He stood up as the hostess moved aside to let me through and I noticed that this black haired, green-eyed, chiseled lean muscled man was tall too. Jesus!
I stuck my hand out to shake his. “Nathan, it’s nice to meet you.”
He took my hand and shook it firmly and professionally. “Quinn, the pleasure is all mine.”
It then occurred to me how casual I looked coming from the barbeque. “I’m sorry about my appearance. You caught
me at a barbeque and it was very informal,” I apologized as I sat down.
Nathan waited until I sat before taking his seat, and the gesture was so sweet and outdated, I was impressed. He waved away my comment. “Please. No need to apologize. I contacted you on a Sunday. Had you shown up here in sweats or pajama pants, I would have still been thankful you made the effort.”
I had to laugh. He was coming across as very easy going and comfortable. “I have to tell you, if you’re offer includes being able to wear pajamas to work, I might already be sold.”
“While I’d love to offer that stipulation in the job offer, I’m afraid you walking around the office in pajamas would cause a riot with all my male employees. Probably some female ones, as well,” he chuckled.
And I blushed.
I fucking blushed.
Thankfully, the waitress chose that moment to take our orders. We both ordered light turkey sandwiches and a couple of sweet teas.
After she took her leave, Nathan got right down to business. “Like I said on the phone, the pay and benefits package is most likely not going to match what you’re getting at SMA. However, the position is a top ranking one that will have you working directly under the senior partners. It’s a high paced and high profile position. It’s very challenging, and to be fair, could possibly take over your life. Are you married? Have children? Maybe a boyfriend?”
I was already shaking my head. “No. I have none of those.”
His brows rose at that. “Really? Do you have a pet that might need your attentions?”
I laughed. “No. No pet either. I have two best friends that are needy sometimes, but now that they have boyfriends, I have more time on my hands these days.”
“Well, that would make things a lot easier as far as demands on your time,” he encouraged.
“Look, Nathan, I’m not afraid of hard work, long hours or demands of perfection. I mean, I’ve been working for SMA for a few years already, so none of that is an issue. We really only need to discuss the brass tacks on this offer, and that is the salary, insurance benefits and perks, if any.”
He quirked one eyebrow at me and smirked. “I like a woman who’s no nonsense.” He pulled out a file folder from the briefcase that I hadn’t noticed was sitting next to his chair. I took it as he handed it over to me quickly opening it to scan its contents.
The offer was expertly outlined and it was actually a position that supported each partner’s PA. Talk about a lot of fucking pressure. The waitress brought our meals as I was still looking over the details of the position. I mumbled a ‘thank you’, but my attention was on the offer packet.
I finally came to the pay outline and I grabbed my tea, taking a drink to buy me some time as I took in the offer. Nathan was right. The job provided so much challenging growth, but the pay portion of the job in no way matched what SMA offered. Granted it was more than enough to live off of, but eventually I plan on getting married and having a family. When that time came, the pay cut would begin to become evident.
Plus, I didn’t want Chase thinking he ran me off from a once in a lifetime job.
I closed the folder and placed it next to my lunch plate. I looked over at Nathan. “A double edge sword sort of offer, huh?”
He let out a small laugh. “Yes, it is.”
I bit into my sandwich, giving myself a moment to work on my words. I noticed he waited to take a bite of his lunch after I did. Women who said there are no more real gentlemen in the world clearly are looking in the wrong place.
I swallowed my bite before finally giving him my answer. “The challenge this offer presents is very tempting, Nathan. I can’t imagine all the things I could learn working so closely in relation to the firm’s partners and their PA’s, but I’d be a fool to accept that kind of pay cut.”
He nodded like he already knew my answer. “I get it. I really do, Quinn.” He shot me a sheepish smile. “But I had to try.”
I smiled back. “Here’s the thing, Nathan. Right now the pay cut wouldn’t be an issue, but one day I hope to have a family and that’s when I would begin to regret exchanging pay for experience.”
“I understand,” he leaned forward a bit as he continued, “but, shouldn’t your future husband be providing financial support as well? The pay cut won’t matter if he’s supporting his family like a man’s supposed to.”
The words that flew out of my mouth next, popped out before I could guard them. “Pulease, that only comes into play if he decides to stick around after I’ve gained weight and popped out matching stretchmarks after birthing however many kids. I have to be able to depend on myself and myself only.”
I cringed when my mind finally caught up with my mouth. The surprise look on Nathan’s face finally dawned on me. “Oh, shit! I’m so…”
He held up a hand to stop my apology. “No. No need to apologize for your personal views on life and men. I just…I think I’m offended on behalf of decent men everywhere right now.”
He said all that with a smile which made me feel so much better. “It wasn’t really a dig at men, so much as…” I decided to be honest with him. He hadn’t deserved my rant. “My parents died while I was very young. I have abandonment issues and feel better if I can support and depend on myself regardless if there’s a man in the picture or not.”
He regarded me silently for a second before reaching for his sandwich and taking another bite. I was embarrassed, but felt just a hair shy of actual mortification. “We all have issues of some sort that we let seep into our personal relationships. It sucks, but it’s a fact.”
I was grateful for his graciousness. “Don’t I know it.”
Nathan set his food down and leaned back. “So, is that a for sure no on the job?”
I rolled my lips in then let them pop out. “Yeah. I’m sorry, Nathan, but I just can’t.”
He nodded and then gave me the most beautiful smile. “Well, since interoffice romance is no longer an issue, how about you let me take you out to dinner instead?”
“Like a date?” I asked incredulously.
“Like a date.”
Jealousy had me answer immediately. “I’d love to.”
Chase~
I sat silently wondering if it was possible to kick your own ass.
The man I saw Quinn walking with this morning was Michael Ellis, Ace’s brother and Audrey’s boyfriend.
I was such a fucking idiot.
When I first saw him hanging by the barbeque with the guys, I was so happy that I had brought Lydia with me. No way was I going to let Quinn parade her new piece of ass in front of me leaving me looking lonely and pathetic. But, Christ on The Cross, when Audrey called out to him about being hungry and he mentioned him going to breakfast with Quinn this morning; I had wanted to slit my own throat.
Things got worse when I was peppered with disapproving looks from everyone…well, everyone but Q. God, when she said Lydia was a keeper I had almost lost it. I had wanted to drop to my knees and beg her for forgiveness.
After her announcement of a job opportunity and leaving, the atmosphere at the table was wrought with so much tension and disapproval, I was choking on it. Luckily, everyone did their best to shield Lydia from my disastrous mistake. The girls were super friendly to her and the guys stuck with irrelevant topics.
My mother’s silence, though…that was like a knife being twisted in my gut.
It was more depressing when everyone was taking their leave, and while Ace and Iz were more than accepting and cordial of Lydia in their goodbyes, they hadn’t utter a word to me as they left.
It sucked when the woman you cared about was pissed at you, but it’s a whole other level of disappointment when the only four women in your life that you cared anything for were all upset with you.
I didn’t bother looking up from the couch when I heard my front door open. I kept facing the T.V. screen, staring blankly.
I didn’t pay any attention to the guys until Julian plopped himself down on the other side of the couch and
Nick fell onto one of the armchairs. “You okay?”
I looked over at Julian. “What the fuck do you think?”
There was a heartbeat of silence before Nick let loose. “What the hell is wrong with you, Chase? Why in the fuck would you bring some random woman to a family get together? Fuck, even if you and Quinn weren’t fucking, why would you bring a stranger into our circle?”
I leveled him with a stare. “You know the fuck why, Sav.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, because you saw her with Michael and thought he was her new man. What I don’t understand is why the fuck you’re treating her with kid gloves, dude.”
I was starting to get pissed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Nick leaned towards me. “It means, since when do you see the woman you love on the arm of another man and walk away like a fucking pussy? Granted the man in question is my future brother-in-law, but I want to know why you didn’t rush over to them and beat the fuck out of him? Why are you letting Quinn call the shots?”
Julian cleared his throat before I could pop Nick a right one. “I think what Nick’s trying to point out is that had you walked over to them, I’m sure Quinn would have explained who Michael was before you were able to get a hit in and all would have been right with the world. Instead, you assumed the worst and look at where we are now,” he said.
My first instinct was to tell them to suck my dick and get the fuck out of my house, but then they would kick my ass, and I have had enough. I wasn’t a complete masochist. “As you two fuckfaces know, I’ve never been in love before. I don’t know what I’m doing with Quinn.”
“You’re scared,” Julian, so eloquently, pointed out.
I dropped my head back against the couch. “Fuck yeah, I’m scared.”
I could hear Nick expel a deep breath. “Jesus Christ, Chase, who the fuck isn’t?”
“Right,” I huffed. “You guys have no idea. Ace is wearing your ring and the only reason you’re not married right this minute is because she wants a wedding. What do you have to be scare about? Avery’s, without a doubt, yours.”
Chasing Quinn Page 23