SIX

Justine

My lunch break is interrupted by a buzz from my phone. I set down my latest read, On Fire for the Duke, to find an email from Mr. Kernos.

Ronan: Tall, but not too tall. Not too slim. Big enough that I won't break her. Must be neat and tidy and take care of her appearance. Must be classy. Well educated. Someone who's able to hold a conversation. But not too opinionated. I don't need to spend the whole time arguing or listening to brainless monologues. Could be human or supe. I don't care. Though not a species with a beak.

I stare at Mr. Kernos' list in dismay. I'm glad he seems to be taking this seriously, but it also seems like he's looking for the Goldilocks of brides, and I'm not sure we have time for ‘just right'.

I check the list of entrants once again. Three women come close. I'm hesitant to have the final say on any of them, though.

One is a harpy, a small business owner, and she's traveled all over the world. She seems to have the most in common with Mr. Kernos. Only she's got a beak.

Another lady has a beautiful figure and the most impressive list of hobbies I've ever seen. On her casting tape, though, she has the weirdest laugh I've ever heard. I have a feeling Mr. Kernos will get sick of that pretty quick. He doesn't seem like the type to have much patience for anything that irritates him.

The third woman is a fitness instructor. She's fit and strong and has a quiet way of speaking at odds with her bold demeanor. I get the best feeling about her, but she didn't say much. He did say he wants someone he can talk to.

For another two hours, I agonize then finally cave and message him.

Justine: I've shortlisted to 3 candidates. Do you want to see?

Ronan: not really, but you want to show me and that makes me anxious about the options. Go on

I bite the nail on my left thumb while I think about what to type. He clearly doesn't want too many details or for me to waste his time.

Justine: well traveled harpy, lady with lots of hobbies or quiet fitness instructor?

There's no response for a long moment, then:

Ronan: not the harpy

OK. That's half the problem solved. I think for a moment he's not going to say anything else, then another message pops up.

Ronan: use your judgment. Either of the other two sound fine

Ronan: thank you. I appreciate your work on this

Well, damn. I select the fitness instructor, and send the email back to production. I hope I've made the right choice.

Then I read the thank you message again.

I could kick myself for the way it makes a smile creep onto my lips. It lingers there for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe I won't lose my job, if he thinks I'm working hard to take care of him. I'm glad he's noticed.

He has noticed, hasn't he?

Then Asha calls.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Justine. Listen, I know I'm supposed to come back next week, but I've actually been offered something else that was too good to turn down. I'm going to put in my two weeks' notice with Mr. Kernos today. I'll take the time as leave, so you'll have to keep standing in for me, until he finds someone new to be senior assistant."

"Oh." No suggestion that I might get the position as senior assistant. I guess that's fair. Seems like I wouldn't be Mr. Kernos' first choice either.

"Yeah, well I just thought I'd let you know. He might be a little grumpy!"

My jaw drops. Oh, God. He's going to fire me after all, isn't he? Just as soon as he finds someone else. I'm bound to stuff something up and piss him off.

"Yeah. Thanks."

We hang up and it's only ten minutes before I get an email from Mr. Kernos.

[email protected]

Justine,

Please come to my office for a quick chat.

R. Kernos

Oh, dear.

I brush sweaty palms over my thighs before I knock and enter. "Hello?"

He looks up from his screen. "Justine. Thank you for coming so quickly. You're in the middle of working on clearing my schedule still?"

I sit in the chair in front of his desk and assume what's fast becoming my customary position. I don't want him to know how nervous I feel. It would probably annoy him. I wish I didn't need to breathe. That will probably annoy him, too.

"Uh, yeah. I'm still working on a few meetings with people who haven't got back to me yet, but I'm getting there."

"Fine." He folds his hands in front of him and looks at me. "I assume you heard the news about Asha."

I nod. I'm still waiting for the penny to drop.

"Fine." Again, silence falls for an agonizingly long moment, then he says, "I'm going to advertise both the senior and junior assistant position."

I swallow around a lump and avert my eyes. Here it comes. Sooner than expected. I thought I was doing OK today.

"It's clear that Asha didn't give you the proper training, but in her absence you'll be picking up a lot of the tasks she would have been doing, and I think it's only fair to offer you the chance to apply."

Wait. What? I lift my gaze and stare at him. He wants me to apply? For Asha's job?

"Provided you're interested, of course."

"Oh, yes. Very interested!" I practically jump out of the seat before I can restrain myself. I cough. "I mean, yes. Thank you."

I mean, I am, aren't I? It would be silly not to go for a promotion. Only, won't that mean more early mornings, and more chances to annoy Mr. Kernos?

Too late to call back the words, I sit and wait anxiously for his reaction.

He looks at me for a moment. "I need you to know that it's not a sure thing. You'll have to compete against any other applicants I get. But you have the advantage of a few weeks to really learn the job."

I nod. "Yes, of course. I understand."

"Now, I have another task for you when you're finished clearing my schedule. There's a medical appointment I need to follow up. I don't think I'll have a chance before we start filming, but see what you can do. I'll send you the details. I'd like you to set that up for me as a high priority. And it should go without saying that it must remain confidential."

"Yes, sir. I'll do that right away. Is there anything else?"

"No. Not for now. Thank you, Justine."

I'm practically floating while I walk back to my desk. He noticed me. He noticed me and somehow, I didn't annoy him. In fact he wants to keep me around. He trusted me with a confidential appointment.

I snatch my phone and text Courtney.

Justine: my treat for dinner tonight. I have news!