Page 103 of Heist

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Austin stared at the resumes of eight attorneys and four paralegals she had interviewed over the course of the day. She hadn’t expected to get so many applicants when she posted the job listing. The stack in front of her were just the ones she’d liked enough to interview and didn’t include two she’d tossed as soon as they walked out the door.

Now, she weighed the pros and cons of each one. She had the budget to hire two or three associate level attorneys and at least two paralegals on top of an office manager. It would be a small operation until they started billing clients. If things went according to plan, they could expand in the first six months and she could pay Patrick back for his investment in fast tracking her business license and some other unexpected fees.

Her man had text twice to ask her how it was going, and she hadn’t responded yet. She wanted to just sit with her quiet now that the day was winding down before she spoke to him.

James Saunders was the top candidate for office manager. He had interviewed well and seemed like someone she could work well with. How would Patrick feel about her hiring a very young, rather good-looking man to be her office manager? He often seemed like the ultimate feminist who shouldn’t care, but she knew he had a jealous streak even though he didn’t like to admit it.

Victoria March was a top candidate to be her first associate, but several other candidates were strong too.

She knew who she wanted to go with in her gut, but she wanted to sleep on it before she made phone calls and offered jobs.

Her phone rang. It was Patrick. She decided to put him out of his misery and answer it.

“Hey there boss lady,” he teased. “How did the interviews go? I’ve been on pins and needles over here.”

Austin laughed. “I think they went really well. I’m overwhelmed with choices.”

“Go with your gut. Don’t overthink it. Who had good chemistry? Who looks great on paper? Who looks too good on paper?”

“I know who I want to make offers to, but I’m scared of making the wrong choice.”

Patrick chuckled. “That’s the thing about being the boss. You can decide it doesn’t work out if you hire someone and they don’t fit the company.”

He was right but firing someone was never going to be high on her list of things she was dying to do.”

“Talk it over with me. I can look at resumes and tell you what I think.”

“You sure you don’t have to go dominate the world or something?”

“I’m really only interested in dominating you these days,” he said, his voice growing husky.

“Oh, come on. Don’t say things like that while I’m at work.”

Patrick laughed. “I’m sure I have time. Let’s hear it.”

Austin e-mailed him resumes with names and personal data blacked out.

At the end of her spiel and looking over the resumes he had zeroed in on Victoria and James as well.

“So, who are the lucky candidates?” he asked when she told him as much.

“Victoria Marche as my first associate hire and James Saunders as my office manager.”

“Excellent choices then. I say go with your gut. I don’t think you really needed me to tell you that.”

Austin grinned. He didn’t so much as hesitate at the mention of her hiring a male office manager.

“OK. I was going to sleep on it, but I think I’m going to hang up and make some phone calls. I’ll sit on the other associate hires for now until I’m surer of my choices.

“You’re killing it, baby girl. I can’t wait to see you on Friday and celebrate with you.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

By the end of the day, her new firm officially had an attorney, an office manager, and two paralegals who would all start on Monday. This was going to be a fun ride, and she had Patrick to thank for giving her the push she needed. On a whim, she called James Saunders back.

“James, it’s Austin Yates again. I was wondering if you were free for dinner or drinks tonight.”

---