Page 122 of More Than Pen Pals

“You make a good point, but that still doesn’t conjure up the existence of someone who’s not terrified of our father.”

I know at least one man who would have no fear of Dad. And I’m counting on Leslie to put my name on the list she sends to him by Monday.

My brother studies me. “You want Diego to hire you, don’t you?”

I drum my fingers on the table. “I’ve thought about it.”

“Then tell him.”

“I can’t.”

“Why? Because of that stupid NDA clause? Whatever. He won’t care. Tell the man you want to run his foundation. He would appoint you in a heartbeat.”

I shake my head. “I can’t do it. I can’t ask him to do that.”

“Ashley, you need to ask for what you want in this situation, like you do in most other areas of your life. Diego Sanchez is the kind of man who responds to straightforwardness. In fact, part of me thinks if he wants to hire you, but you don’t put your name at the top of the list you’re making for him, hewon’thire you simply because you didn’t go for it. He wants somebody who goes after what they want. He knows you’ll jump through hoops to help other people get what they want or need—that’s what this foundation is all about. But I think he also wants someone who’s not afraid to stick up for themselves.”

“You really think I should do it?”

“Yes. And what do you have to lose? He won’t punish you for asking for what you want. If he doesn’t want to hire you, he won’t. But he won’t hold it against you.”

My brother is right. There’s no reason I shouldn’t ask Diego for the job.

* * *

I call Diego at the Drake first thing Friday morning, hoping he hasn’t left for the ballpark yet.

“Ash Hamilton, are you calling to tell me you completed your Lady Leslie mission?”

“Not yet.” I’ve decided to wait until after our respective dinners tomorrow night to talk to her. I feel like those conversations will help us figure out how to best move forward together. “I’m calling about the other thing you asked me to do.”

“You have a list for me? You can fax it over here to the hotel.”

“No need. There’s only one name on it,” I say with as much confidence as I can muster.

“Oh, yes? And whose name would that be?” His tone reveals he already knows.

“Mine.”

“Ah, and why should I hire you?”

I knew he would ask that, and I’m prepared. “Because I was put on this earth to do work like this. I’ve always wanted to use my power and position to help people, and this is the perfect opportunity. I have the skills, education, and drive it’ll take to not only set up this foundation but also to run it. In addition, I’m fluent in Spanish.”

“Will you stay with me forever?”

“I’m not going to ask you to marry me, if that’s where you’re going with that,” I joke. “And I don’t intend to stay with the foundation forever. But I’ll stay long enough to ensure it’s running smoothly and effectively, and I plan to train up someone to take my place whenever I feel it’s the right time to leave. And I believe that person should be from the immigrant community, as should most of the other employees.” I doubt it’s lost on him that I’m speaking as if the job is already mine. Something tells me he’ll appreciate that.

“I can guarantee I won’t be able to pay you as much as your father does.”

“I don’t care.”

“All right, Ash Hamilton. I’ll think about what you said and get back to you soon.”

fifty-nine

On Friday afternoon, I know I need to finish my list for Diego, but there’s only one name on it. Even though Ash is the only person I want to recommend for the position, I don’t know anyone else I think would be a good fit—especially not anyone in the area. Diego wants the foundation to be headquartered in Chicago, and I don’t know many people here yet.

Finally, I decide to make Ash the only person on my list, and I also write a letter explaining why I think he’s the man for the job. When I leave work, I walk the few blocks to the Drake and drop it off at the front desk to be delivered to Diego’s suite.

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