As they all sat back down, Cole quickly moved down the table to a chair beside Laurie. “I’ll join you, if that’s okay.”
Though the man was simply being thoughtful, seeing them sitting side-by-side put Finn in an even fouler mood, and he mumbled a remark that, unfortunately, carried across the room. “Let’s get this over with.”
With the slightest arch of a single brow, Jarrett told Finn exactly what he thought about his comment and the tone with which it was delivered.
Finn gritted his teeth. “I only meant I’m sure Ms. Fields is tired after waiting for so long. I bet she’d like to get down to business.”
“I’m sure Mr. Anderson has my best interest at heart.” She displayed a gracious smile that somehow reminded Finn of a shark. “I’ll admit my stomach started growling twenty minutes ago.”
“Let me treat you to lunch when the interview is over,” said Cole. “I owe you, anyway. If I’m not mistaken, I lost a bet at the reception when you correctly predicted the garter would bounce off Finn’s chest and fall to the floor, unclaimed.”
Normally, Cole’s jest would’ve been amusing, but not today. When his hand slid over and covered hers where it rested on the table, she pulled it away and tucked her hands in her lap. Finn felt a strong urge to protect her, though his common sense told him she didn’t need it. “As potential employers, should we be going to lunch with one of our applicants?”
Cole shrugged. “Laurie, if you’re not comfortable, Branson and Steph can come along.”
“That’s no better,” Finn sputtered. “Don’t you think we should keep our relationships on a professional level, at least until we’ve made a decision about her employment?”
“Laurie is already our friend, and that’s not going to change.” Bran knitted his eyebrows. “We don’t have to pretend we don’t know each other to be professional about this hiring decision.”
Finn’s sympathy spun 180 degrees, his emotions flipping so fast he was getting dizzy. “You honestly expect me to believe that?” He let exasperation creep into his voice. “She’s fresh out of grad school with no experience. We all know why she got this interview.”
“I think that’s my cue to leave.” Laurie’s chair scraped the floor as she stood abruptly, but Cole caught her hand and held it.
“Don’t pay attention to Finn.” Cole slashed his eyes toward Finn and scrunched his face in an exaggerated wink. “He’s rather moody today.”
“I’m. Not. Moody.” Finn pushed away from the table and stood, his legs shaking underneath him. “I’m being sensible, which is more than I can say for the rest of you.”
Jarrett coughed softly into his shirt sleeve. “That’s enough, Finn.”
Bran’s voice grew deadly calm, as always when fury boiled below the surface. “Cole, would you mind stepping outside with Laurie, while Jarrett and I have a private word with Finn.”
“That won’t be necessary. I can see I’m not wanted.” Laurie tilted a bold chin, but Finn spotted a telltale quiver on her lips.
Now I’ve hurt her feelings. Why do I lose control around her? Finn sank back into his seat and let his face fall into his hands.
“We’ll be right outside.” Cole spoke in quiet, reassuring tones as he ushered her through the door and shut it behind him with a soft click.
“You know I’m right.” Dropping his hands, Finn spat his defense before his partners could start in on him. “She’s not qualified for this job.”
“But none of the other candidates passed the motivation test.” Jarrett folded his hands and leaned his elbows on the table.
“It’s a trick question,” Finn grumbled.
Branson leaned back and crossed his arms. “Says the man who invented it.”
“I could’ve been wrong. Maybe it’s a stupid question.” Finn pushed his hands through his hair. “Anyway, Laurie hasn’t answered it either.”
“But chances are she’ll give a good answer.” Jarrett picked up his water glass from the table and downed the last of it. “We all agreed, potential is more important than experience. It’s how we’ve hired every employee at Limitless for the past five years, and it hasn’t failed us yet. If they care about our cause, we can teach them anything. If this is just a job, they’ll never give it their all.”
Finn didn’t want to hear it. “Who’s going to ask her the question? I can see one of you stating it so she knows exactly what to say.”
“I’ll ask,” Bran said. “I’ll read it verbatim, straight from my Braille Sense.”
Finn knew Laurie would give the right response. He felt the steel doors closing, trapping him inside a cave of his own making. His pulse raced like he was running from a rabid dog. “I can’t work with her.”
“Why not?” asked Jarrett. “You said the two of you don’t get along, but you never explained why.”
What am I supposed to say? She’s sharp and sassy and beautiful, and she makes me wish for things I can never have?
“She just drives me crazy. She’s not respectful… at least not to me.”
Jarrett’s head tilted. “That’s so weird. She’s always been courteous and polite whenever we spoke. Maybe it’s just a personality thing. I guess we could try to keep the two of you from working together, if it’s that bad. The only glitch will be the New York Fundraiser. You’ll have to coordinate some on that event, but it won’t happen for another eight months.”
Branson leaned forward, a serious expression on his face. “Don’t you think you’ll get along better in a professional setting, Finn? I don’t ask favors very often, but I really want you to give her a try. You, of all people, should appreciate her heart for children with cystic fibrosis. I’ve seen her working with Ellie, first hand.”
“You haven’t actually seen it,” Finn teased, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’ve witnessed it.” Bran gave a crooked smile. He was usually the one who joked about commonly used sight terms. “You can’t train compassion into someone. She’s got the MBA to prove she can learn whatever she needs to know. She may be green, but one day she’ll be a great asset to Limitless. I’m sure of it.”
Finn slammed his fist on the table. “I don’t even know why we bothered with these interviews. You already had your minds made up.”
Bran shrugged his shoulders. “You guys don’t have to hire her just because of me. The truth is, if we don’t give her the position at Limitless, I plan to offer her a job in my branch of Phantom Enterprises. But I think her love for children will be wasted, working for a purely monetary goal. Passionate employees can accomplish great things, you know.”
Finn’s entire body sagged in his chair. No matter what, he wouldn’t be able to avoid Laurie. If Branson hired her, Finn would see her just as often at Phantom Enterprises, maybe even more. He’d be better off with her at Limitless, where they only had to interact once a year for about a month.
“I’m sorry. I won’t protest anymore. But she still has to answer the question.”
“Fair enough.” Jarrett rose and rubbed his hands briskly together. “I’ll go get Laurie and Cole.”
