Lorraine issues a small cough, and everyone turns their eyes to her. “I thought McKayla would still report to me. I’m very familiar with her work and have the necessary skills to manage her.”
Her voice is strong, assured, and I’m betting she thinks Matt will concede. Instead, he just gives her the barest of glances as he stands up from the table. “That’s not how we do things here. Your expertise is in corporate work, which falls squarely under Bill’s department. McKayla does litigation, which is under my authority. But there will be a few cases that you will work on together and, in those instances, you will be her direct supervisor. Now, after you ladies fill those papers out, I’ll have our head of resources, Krystal Anders, come in, get you set up, and introduce you around.”
Matt gives a nod to Lorraine, but doesn’t spare a glance at me, as he starts to walk out the door. However, I have questions that need answered before I start my career at Connover and Crown.
“Excuse me, Matt… but I have a few questions I need answered.”
He turns around with surprise on his face and, yes, a flash of irritation. “I’m sure Miss Anders can answer whatever questions you have.”
Matt turns away again, but I stop him. “Actually, I doubt she can. This question is specifically for you.”
When he turns back my way, the irritation is still there… but I see something else.
Respect?
Before Matt can answer, Lorraine jumps up from the table. “I apologize, Matt. Our little McKayla here doesn’t understand the etiquette of how a high-powered firm works. I’m sure Miss Anders can help her out.”
I turn to Lorraine and speak as pleasantly as possible. “And I’m sure Mr. Connover needs to answer this question.”
Lorraine starts to huff, and I can tell she’s going to lay into me the way she normally does, but I turn away to look at Matt. He gives me a small smile and says, “By all means… how can I help you?”
“Well, I’m assuming when you ‘acquired’ Lorraine’s firm,” and yes, I made air-quotes with my fingers, “you took on all of her assets as well as her debts?”
Matt nods but doesn’t say anything.
“I’d like to know if you intend to honor the firm’s debt to me of a few missed paychecks I went without when we had some leaner times?”
Matt’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and then his gaze flicks to Lorraine in question. She starts a flurry of apologies for forgetting about that detail, but Matt just holds up his hand to stop her. Returning his stare to me, he says, “While your question was important, Miss Anders could have indeed handled that. Regardless, I’ll ensure your past paychecks are caught up before the end of the day. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend. I’m sure Miss Anders can handle your other questions.”
Lorraine tries to apologize one more time, but he’s already opening the door and walking through it. Just before he leaves, he turns to me, “McKayla… let’s plan on meeting at 4:30 PM to go over your new duties in the litigation department.”
He doesn’t even wait for my response before he’s gone, Bill following on his heels.
I stare at the door, lost in thought, my memories of my sex-athon with Matt competing with the cold businessman I just met.
“How could you?” Lorraine hisses at me. “I would have handled those paychecks. You didn’t need to bring Matt into it. He must think I’m an idiot.”
Or a liar, I think to myself, because I’m sure she left that detail out on purpose, not ever thinking in a million years I’d bring it up.
“Sorry, Lorraine,” I say with as much sincerity I can muster. “I’m sure you would have handled it fine.”
Turning away from her, I sit back down at the table and prepare to fill out the forms that will now tie me to Matt Connover—extraordinary, one-time lover… and now my boss.