Page 13 of Not the Billionaire

“What’s good here?” she asked.

“What isn’t?” The waiter arrived just as Sebastian replied, bringing several plates. “I hope you don’t mind. I ordered ahead for us.”

“Oh, all right.” She did mind, actually, and she had the urge to tell him so, but she kept it to herself. He was probably used to people doing whatever he told them to do, and he was her new boss, so she politely accepted the food from the waiter—a juicy filet mignon with whipped potatoes. Neither of the items on her plate were what she would have chosen for herself. She had always been the kind of girl who put on pounds easily, something her mother was quick to point out, and she’d worked hard to keep them off. Over the years, she’d come to learn that she felt her best when she ate poultry or fish and plenty of vegetables and steered clear of red meat and starchy foods like potatoes. But she wasn’t going to tell Sebastian that.

“So, tell me, Genevieve …” He took a bite of his steak, letting out a satisfied groan. “Where are you from?”

“I’m from Nashville,” she answered. “Michigan, not Tennessee.”

“Where’s that?” he asked.

“About an hour south of here. How about you? Have you always lived in Grand Rapids?”

“I was born right up the street, but I haven’t always lived here. I spent a good part of my early twenties in California.”

“What was in California?”

“The beach and girls,” he replied with a laugh.

“I see. So you haven’t always worked for your family’s company then?”

“I had to figure out who I was first.”

“And did you?” She fixed her stare on him, and a strange look crossed his face. Had her question made him uncomfortable?

“Jury’s still out on that one.” The expression on his face changed in an instant, and he smiled at her. “Do you know who you are?”

“I think so,” she answered. “Most days anyway.”

He nodded as if he understood.

Genevieve chose that moment to taste the potatoes, which were delectable, melting on her tongue. “Oh my word,” she breathed.

He looked up at her. “Is something wrong with your food? We can send it back.” He scanned the room as if looking for a waiter.

“No, the opposite, actually. I’ve never had such delicious mashed potatoes.”

He grinned. “I told you. Everything’s good here.”

She took one more scoop. “Mmmm.”

He chuckled. “What do you like to do most?”

“On the job?” she asked.

“In your free time.”

Genevieve snuck another tiny bite of the potatoes. “What free time? Work is my life.”

“You don’t have to say that. I already believe you’re committed to your job.”

“I’m not just saying that. My last job had me working long hours. I was in charge of all the charity events and a lot of the behind-the-scenes tasks because they were low on staff. I can’t tell you the last time I went out to a restaurant—even for a work-related lunch.”

Sebastian sat back and shook his head. “That’s unacceptable. And I can promise you that will not happen while you’re working for me. Everyone who works at Schultz is like family.”

Genevieve nodded. “I’m getting that impression. I met your sister this morning, and she was so nice and easy to talk to.”

“That’s Sky. She likes to meet all the new employees and get to know everyone. Our dad always had all of us hanging out in the factory when we were young, chatting up the workers.”

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