Page 11 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
Mr. Wolfe looked at the hovering server with such a glare, she practically shrivelled.
“Jesus, Ruby! You need something large in that run-away mouth to shut it up sometimes.”
I coloured further, the fluttering in my stomach turned into a Tsunami, and my hands shook. “And I’m not offering a favour... Although I do require something in return.” He raised his eyebrows in challenge.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry. It was meant to be funny... except it wasn’t.” I blurted out, not fully processing his last sentence.
“No, it wasn’t. Comedic timing isn’t your strong point, is it? Now, shall we back up a couple of minutes?”
“Yes, please. Oh, God, I can’t believe I said that.”
I picked up my coffee and wanted to laugh purely from embarrassment.
He closed his eyes and shook his head as my shoulders lifted and tears filled my eyes. I was desperately trying to hold back the laughter.
“Laugh. Get it out of your system so we can get back down to business.”
Having got permission, I placed my mug back on the table, lowered my head to my arms I’d folded beside the mug and laughed, biting my hoodie so as not to make too much noise. When I was done, I wiped my eyes dry with my sleeve and sat back upright. I picked up my mug.
“Now, where were we?” I asked.
“You were probably insulting me, yet again, while I was about to make you an offer I think you’d like.”
“Ah, yes. Okay, go on.”
“I have an opening for an assistant to my architect....” He held up his hand as I opened my mouth to speak and before I could get the words out, he’d stuffed a napkin in.
Ispat the napkin onto the table and glared at him.
“This isn’t a secretarial role, before you complain. It’s a genuine assistant’s role. I have spoken to my team, and they agreed a trainee would be the best solution. You work three days and attend uni for two.”
“I wasn’t going to complain,” I said, lying.
“Really? Then you need a far better poker face.”
He picked up his coffee and took a sip. His eyes bore into mine without blinking, and I swear they darkened. I wanted to shiver, or at least place my hands on my thighs to stop them twitching.
“Okay, I’m interested,” I replied. And I was. Who wouldn’t be? Working while studying would be an ideal situation, although I knew I’d be studying for way longer.
“Good. I’ll collect you tomorrow and you can come into the office to meet yourboss.”
I smiled, and it was a genuine smile, and probably the only genuine smile I’d offered to anyone for a long time.
“I don’t have anything to wear for an interview,” I blurted out.
“Come as you are. I prefer my staff to be comfortable and I rather like you in that red, dirty hoodie.”
He picked up his cup and sipped, all the while staring at me over the rim.
“It’s not...” I picked at a splodge of mud from my sleeve. “I wonder if I can get to the launderette in time.”
“You don’t have a machine?” he asked.
“No, haven’t been able—”
“I’ll have one sent this afternoon,” he said, picking up his mobile. He typed a message as I protested.
“Mr. Wolfe... Sebastian, please stop. Why are you doing this?” I asked.
