She couldn’t endure such conditions. Even if the lighting wasn’t an issue, the isolation would be. “I agree. And I need to be near Flynt. His direction is essential.”
Corby nodded. “That’s true, which is why I came up with a viable alternative. We could move your board to the end of the row and create a partition between your station and the others. You would have adequate lighting and wouldn’t be a distraction.”
Flynt responded in a firm tone. “She shouldn’t be shut off by herself just because she’s a woman. She’s a member of my team and deserves the same treatment as everyone else.”
Emboldened by Flynt’s show of support, she challenged Corby. “There’s got to be something else that could be done. Couldn’t Flynt just tell them to get back to work? He is their boss, after all.”
“He has, numerous times, but they’re young men. If there’s an attractive, available young woman in their midst, they’re going to be watching her. They can’t help themselves. What we need is an invisible barrier, so to speak.”
Flynt’s brow creased in confusion. “What do you mean? You’re obviously not talking about a sheet of glass.”
Corby fingered his watch fob. The jangling of the gold chain heightened Jessie’s apprehension. “If the two of you were to spend time together, that could solve the problem.”
Relief relaxed her shoulders, which she hadn’t realized she’d tensed. Corby’s request was a simple one. “We will, especially if I’m working closely with Flynt on designs.”
Flynt speared a hand through his thick hair, leaving it tousled. She fought the urge to reach up and straighten it for him. “I don’t think he means here in the Den, Jessie.”
“He’s right.” Corby looked her full in the face. His own registered determination, with his brow furrowed and mouth tight. “My plan is for the two of you to be seen together outside of work at social functions and such.”
She inhaled sharply and squeezed a response through her tight throat. “But if we did that, people might think we were...courting.”
Corby nodded. “Exactly. If the fellows believed Flynt was interested in you, they would leave you alone, complete their assigned tasks in a timely manner and enable us to meet our deadlines. We’ve been hard-pressed to meet them as it is, so it’s imperative these delays cease immediately.” His firm tone brooked no resistance.
Flynt had been silent. Too silent. She struggled to keep the desperation out of her voice. “What do you think? Surely you have another idea.”
He looked as nonplussed as she felt. “I wish I did.”
So did she. What Corby was asking was preposterous—and totally unfair. And here she’d thought he welcomed her. He had ordered a special drafting board just for her, after all. How wrong she’d been.
Corby opened a desk drawer and withdrew two small pieces of paper, which he handed to Flynt. “These are tickets to the Philharmonic Society’s concert this coming Saturday evening. I look forward to seeing the two of you there—together.”
Flynt stared at the tickets with pursed lips. Clearly he didn’t like this any more than she did.
“Must we do this, sir? I don’t want Flynt forced into being my make-believe beau.” She cringed inwardly at the fanciful term that had slipped out.
“The way I see it, that’s the only option. I can’t have the work disrupted. If you want to retain your position, you’ll accept my terms. If not, I’ll be forced to hire a man instead.”
“But you bought a drafting table especially for me.”
Corby waved a hand dismissively. “That’s no problem. I could exchange it for another model if I needed to.”
What choice did she have? Corby had made it clear that if she didn’t agree, he would replace her.
But if she was to go along with Corby’s plan, she couldn’t enact it alone. She turned toward Flynt and summoned her courage. “I know what I have to gain by agreeing to this...charade, but what reason would you have for doing so?” As a college-educated engineer with years of experience, his position was secure.
“I would get to work with an excellent draftswoman.”
Corby intervened. “Once the situation improves, I could ask the board to add a bonus to his next paycheck. Provided the increased productivity warrants it, of course.”
Jessie stood, and Flynt jumped to his feet. She stiffened her spine and faced him. “Very well. If you’re willing to accompany me to events, I’ll do my part.”
Would the offer of a bonus entice him to agree? Her future at the company hinged on his answer.
* * *
Jessie had actually agreed?
She looked at Flynt, expectancy on her lovely face.
Corby cleared his throat. “What’s your answer, son?”
A decision like this couldn’t be rushed. “I’m not sure.”
Jessie’s eyes, bright before, dulled. She attempted a smile, but it lacked conviction.
He’d known that sense of resignation, felt the sting of unfairness. “If Jessie and I were to enter into such an arrangement, we’d need to know the parameters. For instance, how often would you expect us to be seen together, and how long would this supposed alliance last?”
Corby leaned back in his chair, causing the springs to creak. He clasped his hands, extended his forefingers and tapped them against his chin. “Hmm. I think attending a public gathering of some sort once a week would be adequate. As for the duration, you would need to keep this up long enough for the novelty of having Jessie on the team to fade. Perhaps a month would do. We could revisit the matter then.”
Flynt nodded. “So, one function a week for four weeks? That’s all?”
“You would have to keep up appearances during the week, of course.”
“Of course,” Flynt repeated dully. He turned to Jessie. “Before I can seriously consider Corby’s request, I’d like to talk to you for a moment. Alone.”
“Certainly.” She swept out of the room and waited for him in the hallway.
He closed the door to Corby’s office and wheeled around to face her. “I had no idea what Corby was planning.”
“I gathered that. What are we going to do?”
“I’ll go back in on my own and talk some sense into him, if I can. You can trust me.”
She pressed her lips together, drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. “Perhaps, but since my position is the one dependent on this...arrangement, I’ll accompany you.”
He hadn’t known Jessie long, but her refusal to sit idly by while someone else determined her future didn’t surprise him. He admired her for it. “Fine, but I’d recommend leaving this to me. I know Corby.”
“I will—as long as I agree with your tactics.” The flicker of fear in her eyes countered her show of independence. Jessie was more concerned than she was willing to admit.
The realization made his decision clear. “I’ll do what’s necessary to make the situation work.”
“Good.” Squaring her shoulders, she gave a firm nod. “Then let’s go. I have a position to secure.”
They returned to Corby’s office. Jessie sat, but Flynt remained standing. He was a good six inches taller than Corby, and he intended to use every bit of leverage. “Did you honestly think we’d agree to this ploy? What kind of solution is a mock courtship?”
Corby rose and propped himself on the corner of his desk, his free leg swinging. “An