She was struck by the rugged timbre of his voice. It was deep, firm, exuding confidence. Little wonder Damian was one of the most sought-after corporate attorneys in Boston.
He motioned her to be seated, then walked around the mahogany desk and took the black leather chair. He tilted it back slightly, conveying ease and relaxation.
Jessica wasn’t fooled. She sincerely doubted that Damian knew how to relax. His mother, Lois, had often voiced her concern about her elder son, complaining that Damian worked too many hours.
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” Jessica said, crossing her legs.
“It’s my pleasure.” He rolled a pen between his palms. “I understand you’ve graduated from college.”
She nodded. “I have a degree in early American history.”
The motion of the pen between his palms stopped and a frown creased his brow. “Unfortunately we don’t have much call for historians here at the firm.”
“I understand that,” she said quickly. “About halfway through my senior year, I realized that although I love history, I wasn’t sure what I planned to do with my degree. I toyed with the idea of teaching, then changed my mind.”
“And you want to be a legal assistant now?”
“Yes. I was dating a law student and I discovered how much I enjoyed law. You see, we often did our homework together. But rather than register for law school and invest all that time and effort, I decided to work as a legal assistant—sort of get my feet wet and then decide if becoming an attorney is what I want to do. So I went to business college and got a certificate.” She said all this in an eager rush. “Your father suggested I come and talk to you,” she added, winding down. She opened her purse and produced her certificate for his inspection.
“I see.” The pen was in motion again.
“I’m a hard worker.”
Damian smiled fleetingly. “I’m sure you are.”
“I’ll work any hours you need, even weekends. You can put me on probation.” She hadn’t meant to reveal how much she wanted the position, but despite her resolve, she couldn’t keep the anxiety out of her voice.
“This job means a great deal to you, doesn’t it?”
Jessica nodded.
“I think,” Damian said casually, “you’re still infatuated with my brother.”
He spoke as if it had been only a few days since she’d all but thrown herself at Evan. Heat radiated from her cheeks. “I … I don’t believe that’s a fair statement.”
Damian smiled shrewdly. “You’ve had a crush on Evan for years.”
“I’ll admit I used to, but that has nothing to do with my applying for a position here.” She closed her mouth and collected her composure as best she could. She should’ve known Damian wouldn’t conveniently forget their encounter all those years ago.
“It’s true, though, isn’t it?” Damian seemed to take delight in teasing her, which infuriated Jessica. She clamped her mouth shut, rather than argue with the man she hoped would employ her. “I was there the day you put kisses all over his rearview mirror, remember?”
Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded.
“I watched you look at him with those big worshipful eyes. I’ve seen plenty of other women do the same thing since, all gazing at my younger brother as though he were an Adonis.”
Jessica’s eyes widened at the use of the term. That was exactly the way she’d viewed Evan. A Greek god.
“It’s true isn’t it, or are you going to deny it?”
Jessica’s mouth refused to work. She opened and closed it an embarrassing number of times, not knowing how to respond, or if she should even try.
Cathy Hudson, her best friend, had claimed it wasn’t a good idea to apply for work with a family who knew her so well. Jessica was about to concede that Cath was right.
“I did have a schoolgirl crush on your brother at one time,” she said, “but that was years ago. I haven’t seen Evan in … heavens, I don’t remember. Certainly no more often than I’ve seen you. If you believe my past feelings for Evan would hinder my performance as a legal assistant, then there isn’t anything more I can say—other than to thank you for your time.”
Damian’s smile was slightly off kilter, his eyes bemused as if, despite himself, he’d admired her little speech. Slowly a look of sadness crossed his face. “Evan’s changed,” he said. “He isn’t the man you once knew.”
“I’d heard from my mother that he’s been unhappy recently.” She didn’t know the details and hoped Damian would fill in the blanks.
“Do you know why?”
“No.”
Damian gave a soft regretful sigh. “I might as well tell you, since you’ll find out soon enough yourself. He was in love, possibly for the first time in his life, and it didn’t work out. I don’t know what caused the rift, and neither does anyone else, not that it matters. Unfortunately, though, Evan can’t seem to snap out of his depression.”
“He must have loved her very much,” she whispered, watching Damian. She could tell that he was genuinely concerned about Evan.
“I’m sure he did.” Damian frowned, apparently at a loss as to how to help his brother, then shook his head. “We’ve ventured far from the subject of your employment, haven’t we?”
She straightened and folded her hands in her lap, wondering if Damian would take a chance and hire her. She was a risk, fresh out of school, with no job experience.
“You’re sure you want to work here?” he asked, studying her with a discerning eye.
“Very much.”
Damian didn’t immediately respond. His silence made her uncomfortable enough to want to fill it with something, even useless chatter. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said breathlessly. “In your eyes I’m a love-struck fourteen-year-old.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what to say to convince you I’ve grown up, and that nonsense is all behind me, but I have.”
“I can see that for myself.” A glint of appreciation sparked in his eyes. “As it happens, Jessica, you’re in luck, because the firm could use another legal assistant. If you want the job, it’s yours.”
Jessica resisted vaulting out of the chair and throwing her arms around Damian’s neck to thank him. Instead she promised, “I won’t let you down.”
“You’ll be working directly with Evan,” he replied, still studying her closely.
“With Evan?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No … No, of course not.”
“Just remember one thing. It doesn’t matter how many years our parents have been friends. If you don’t do your job and do it well, we don’t have room for you here.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to keep me on if I didn’t pull my weight,” she said, trying hard not to sound defensive.
“Good.” He reached for the intercom and glanced at her. “When would you like to start?”
“Now, if you want.”
“Perfect. I’ll ring Mrs. Sterling. She’s Evan’s personal assistant, and she’ll show you the ropes.”
Jessica stood and extended her hand. “You won’t be sorry, I promise you.” She pumped his hand enthusiastically until she realized she was overdoing it.
Grinning, Damian walked around to the front of his