Page 101 of Witch You Would
“Your performance in the semifinal round made a decision for me.” She sat in one of the chairs, lounging back with her kneestogether, as if we were in some private club or office instead of the pee room. “I’d like to offer you a position at AthameArts, in our Miami location.”
A job. Oh my god. I was saved! The rest of my life flashed in front of my eyes like a near-death experience, except it involved areal apartment, my student loans finally being paid, and a bank account with four digits in it.
“What position?” I asked. Please don’t say sales.
“We can work out the exact details after the show is finished filming,” Charlotte said. “I’m willing to be flexible, to ensureyou’re in a role that you find fulfilling.”
“That sounds amazing.” Should I ask about money? It had to be more than Espinosa’s.
“Our salaries are quite competitive, in case you were wondering.”
Could she read my mind?
“I can have a contract for you to review by later tonight if you’re interested.”
“Yeah. Sure. Thank you.”
“There’s one small condition,” she said. “For your own benefit, of course.”
“Oh?”
“If you do win the competition, you’ll be stuck here in your residency for a year. I’m afraid the company can’t be expectedto wait that long for a new hire to start.”
Charlotte smiled, baring her teeth in a way that suddenly reminded me of a shark. It was the cold eyes.
“So this offer is only if I lose?” I asked.
“In a manner of speaking.”
No, I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what she meant. Worse, actually. “You’re asking me to lose if I want to work for you.”
“I wouldn’t dream of saying any such thing,” she said patiently. “That would be illegal, not to mention a violation of ourrespective contracts.”
She wouldn’t say it, but she would sure as hell imply it. And Ineeded the money. Whether she knew my life or was just guessing didn’t matter. I was sinking, and she was throwing me a boat.
Was there a downside to accepting? If we lost, she wouldn’t know whether it was on purpose or not. I’d have a job, and she’dhave what she wanted. If we won, she’d tear up the contract and... Wait.
“I assume there would be some clause that would cause me problems if I won after signing it?” I asked.
“That would be prudent,” Charlotte said. “It wouldn’t be quite as you describe; more of a... penalty for early termination.”
Was that even legal? In Florida, probably. Our labor laws sucked.
“I’ll have to think about it,” I said.
“I’ll have the paperwork brought to your room later,” she replied. “I’ll need an answer by... let’s say midnight, Cinderella.”
“Okay.”
Charlotte stood gracefully and smoothed her skirt. “So good to chat with you again, Penelope. I know you’ll make the rightchoice.” She paused near the door. “A word of advice, from one career-minded woman to another.”
“Yes?”
“Stop throwing yourself at Leandro. It makes you look desperate, and he’s not exactly a winner. You’d be better off tryingfor Isaac if you want to sleep your way up.” With another dead-eyed smile, she walked out.
I stared at my reflection. Apparently, to Charlotte fucking Sharp, I was a sucker. And that comment about Isaac? Gross. Wasshe wrong, though, about me looking desperate? I’d thought this might happen when we started fake flirting—
A toilet flushed, making me jump and shriek.
