Chapter Nineteen
Drew glanced down at his phone. Reading texts while at a job interview was probably not the best move, but a message from Terese… He couldn’t help himself.
Interview complete. TY, Drew
The corners of his lips twitched up. Sounded like she got the job at the conference center after all. Maybe now, she’d go out with him again.
“Are we keeping you from something, Mr. Drake?” Robert Moss, the interviewer for the position at the University of Iverton Bursar’s Office, scowled.
“Of course not…” Drew began.
“Don’t think your last name will get you any special privileges here, Mr. Drake.” Mr. Moss’s frown deepened. “I do know who you are, you know.”
Drew clicked off his phone, taking a moment to reassess the pencil pusher in front of him. Worth it? An image of Terese and her take-no-prisoners attitude formed in his head. Time to borrow a page from her book.
Sitting up straighter, Drew lowered his chin ever so slightly. “I apologize, Mr. Moss. It was rude of me to check my phone before we finished.”
Moss rolled his shoulders and nodded. “Not at all, Mr. Drake. I merely assumed you’d be more interested in the job interview than your phone.” He prickled, and Drew locked eyes with him in a Terese-style stare down.
“Oh, I am, sir. But I’ll be honest with you.” He paused, crossing his legs. “It’s not my only appointment this week.” Smiling tightly, he rested his chin on his fist.
The news visibly flustered Moss, and he broke eye contact. “Oh, I see. Then perhaps we’re wasting our time here.” He shuffled some papers, looking anywhere but at Drew.
“Oh, Mr. Moss. I’m not trying to posture. I assure you. You said you knew me by reputation, correct?”
Moss nodded, still not glancing up.
“Then,” Drew continued, “I assume you also know I’m the perfect candidate for the position. I have an MBA from an excellent school, graduated magna cum laude. I have years of experience in finance, excellent references, and the stamina for such an intense job.”
“Mr. Drake…Andrew…” Moss stuttered, his cheeks reddening at Drew’s forwardness.
“Actually, it’s Drew.”
“Drew, then. I…” His hand actually shook.
Leaning forward, Drew tapped the resume in Moss’s hand. “You and I both know if you hire a Drake, you’ll get nothing but the best.” He pulled back and folded his hands on his lap. In a quieter voice, he added, “It couldn’t hurt your standing at the university either.”
“Mr. Drake,” Moss said, finally raising his gaze. “Drew, I, uh, I can see from your resume you have some experience in the field. Your answers to my questions have been precise and intelligent.” He tapped the papers on the desk. “Thank you for your time today, Drew, uh, Mr. Drake.”
They both stood, and Drew ensured he reached his hand out first. “Thank you for your time today, Mr. Moss.” He shook the man’s hand. “I appreciate your consideration.”
Moss’s red cheeks flushed darker as if Drew stole the words right out of his mouth. “Uh, yes. Thank you. We’ll be contacting candidates for further interviews by the end of the week.”
Releasing his grip, Drew nodded. “Thank you again, sir. I hope to hear from you soon.” Drew grabbed his briefcase and headed quickly out the door, not believing his own arrogance. The same arrogance probably got Terese the event planner position.
If she got the job, maybe she’d call him. Her text today was the first in a week. He’d hung back, not wanting to bug her, but his patience was growing thin. Not that she had to get back together with him after he’d set up her interview, but he hoped for more than a thank you text.
He wasn’t mad at her, per se. Her reaction at the interview had been over the top, to say the least. He was annoyed but not enough to break it off, especially now he knew the whole story. He’d worked too hard to get her attention to give up now.
Why hadn’t she told him about her financial situation? Based on her wardrobe and the restaurants they frequented, he didn’t know she was broke. Broker than broke. About to be on the street broke. If the golden opportunity of the conference center hadn’t come up, he would’ve found her a job some way, somehow. Of course, he should’ve mentioned he was Andrew Drake at some point.
He strolled from the Bursar’s Office, across the parking lot, admiring the view of the Adirondacks. Sliding into his car, he dropped his briefcase in the seat next to him, leaning back in the driver’s seat, his mind still lingering on Terese. Maybe she wasn’t interested in him now that he’d revealed himself. He hated the idea, but it was his own fault in the end. Arrogant and secretive, he’d led her on, and she had every right to kick him to the curb.
But he’d apologized, even quit his job for her. He sighed, starting up the car. And she owed him nothing.