Page 43 of Ambrosia Kisses
"Nice. And she wants to work here?" Alexa quirks a brow. "She knows the pay is shit, the hours are long, and there are no thanks, right?"
"Oh, she knows. Her father is a judge, and her grandfather is on the state's Supreme Court."
"Shit." Alexa's eyes widen. "She's related to Justice Molina?"
"Yep."
"She could be working anywhere. Why the hell does she want to work here?"
"She doesn't…exactly."
Alexa's eyes narrow. "Explain."
I mutter another curse, shifting in my chair. "She was offered a position at Crudup."
"Jesus Christ. That's the biggest criminal defense firm in the state, Ridley."
"I know, but she doesn't want to work for a criminal defense firm. She wants to follow the same path her father and grandfather took, and they both started out in the DA's office." I pause. "And I need her here."
"Ah." Alexa's lips curve. "So it's like that, huh?"
I nod, not denying it. Because, yeah, it is like that. I'll beg, borrow, and steal if that's what I have to do to give Paisley a reason to stay. She doesn't need that job in Los Angeles. She's needed right here.Thisis where she belongs.
But I can't fucking ask her to stay for me when it's her dreams on the line. That's a dick move. She's already given up and lost so goddamn much. I won't let her sacrifice something she's worked so hard for just to be with me. What kind of man does that shit? So…I'm here, asking Alexa to do me the biggest favor of my life and hire her, instead.
And if Alexa won't hire her? Well, I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.
"As much as I'd love to help you, you know I don't have the authority to hire anyone, Ridley," Alex says softly.
I stare at her for a long, silent moment, not entirely surprised by her answer. Honestly, I expected it. "Rumor has it that the DA isn't running for reelection next year," I murmur. "And rumor also has it that you're the one everyone expects to replace him."
"You hear a lot of rumors out there on the vineyard."
"Are they accurate?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe I'd be interested in seeing you get elected."
A bark of laughter erupts from her lips. "Are you trying to bribe me into helping you get her hired on here?"
"No." Hell yes. But am I dumb enough to admit it? Fuck no. "I'm just pointing out that you could use someone like Paisley on your team, especially if you're going to be running next year. She's damn good at what she does, and she's a Molina. This is Santa Barbara County. How often do you think someone like her comes along, willing to work for a pittance just to be here when a firm like Crudup is offering a king's ransom?"
Alexa eyes me critically for a long moment before sighing. "Not often," she admits. "Most people would kill to work for Crudup. Hell,Iwould have killed to work for Crudup. But I don't have the pull you think I do. I can make suggestions, but it's not up to me. It's up to Don. He's still the DA."
"Then convince Don that you need her on your team."
"Have you met Don?" She makes a face at me. "Because there is no convincing him of anything he hasn't already decided, Ridley."
"Then try harder. We've been friends for a long time, and I've never asked for anything, Lex. I'm asking now. I need her here. It's where she belongs."
Alexa cocks her head to the side. "She means that much to you, huh?"
"She's my world," I say simply.
Alexa stares at me for a long minute and then sighs. "I'm not making any promises. Don does what Don wants, and he promised our open spot to the intern. But…I'll float her name by him and see what I can do."
"Thank you."
