Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Bonus?” I turn to Arnold, distracted by his offer.
“Any bonus paid will go to the firm and it will be at my discretion what portion goes to you,” Jane says.
I furrow my brow, mentally reviewing this assignment. Jane basically wants me to babysit a pro hockey player twenty-four seven. Stay with him and as Arnold said, “keep him out of trouble.”
“Why?” I ask.
Jane’s eyes flash with annoyance. “Because I own this firm, Josie, and--”
I cut in. “No, not that. Why does this guy need a handler? What kind of trouble has he gotten into?”
Arnold sighs through his nose. “Jane, is this conversation covered by our NDA?”
“Yes. Josie signed a blanket nondisclosure agreement and can’t repeat anything from any client conversations.”
Arnold nods and continues. “Dane has always liked the ladies. He recently slept with a woman who is legally separated from a well-known actor, and the actor has been tweeting about it. Dane would tell you he just likes to have a good time, but he’s been dragged hungover from women’s beds by teammates to catch the team bus more than once. He was arrested last week for public indecency after having sex with a woman on a park bench and then passing out. The woman stole all his clothes and his wallet afterward and when the sun rose, the police were called.”
“What a headache for you, Arnold,” Jane says, shaking her head. “Let us worry about this player so you can get back to the business of running your team.”
Arnold exhales and smiles like he’s just dumped the weight of the world from his shoulders.
“I appreciate it, Jane. You’ve come through for me every time I’ve hired you.”
I want to ask what’s happening here. Because they can’t possibly expect me to do this job.
“How big is this guy Dane?” I ask.
“Dane Foster is six-three and a hundred and ninety pounds,” Arnold says, reciting his roster stats.
I gesture at myself. “Five-four and a hundred seventeen. How can I keep someone that size from doing anything?”
“Dane has been told this is his last shot,” Arnold says. “If he steps out of line, you’ll need to call his head coach immediately, and then this will all be over. No more PR nightmares; I don’t care how great of a player he is.” Arnold exhales hard. “But if you can keep him in line for the rest of the season--until the playoffs are over--that would be a great service to our team.”
“Consider it done,” Jane says, standing. “We won’t take any more of your time, Arnold. I’ll be in touch with the contract.”
“I can give you a business credit card for all her expenses,” he says, reaching for his wallet.
“No need. I’ll bill your accounting people with receipts.”
“Thanks, Jane.” He glances at me. “And thanks to you too, Josie.”
I smile weakly, not knowing what to say.
This assignment is bonkers. That’s what I want to say, but I don’t. And twenty-four seven? Who’s going to take care of my cat, Mr. Darcy?
Jane walks Arnold out and then returns to her office, glaring at me.
“Where was your enthusiasm, Josie?”
My lips part and my eyes widen. “I don’t see how I can do this. What this guy needs is more like a bodyguard.”
“No, he needs someone who can remind him how important optics are. Which is literally your job.”
I sigh softly.
“If you don’t want this assignment, I’ll give it to Monica.”
And see that twit get promoted before me? Never. I need this promotion.
“I want it,” I say. “I just want to succeed, and I’m not sure how.”
“You’re a bright girl. You’ll figure it out.”
A bright girl? I’ll figure it out?
“But...where will I sleep?”
Jane sits down behind her desk, looks at her screen and starts typing. “I’m sure he has a couch, Josie.”
“Do I get my own hotel room if I travel with him?”
She glares at me over the rim of her glasses. “Are you okay in the head? If you’re asleep in a different room, how can you keep track of where he is?”
My aunt wants me to stay in a hotel room with a six-three, one-hundred-ninety-pound man who “likes the ladies.” Just great.
“Listen,” she says, taking off her glasses and setting them on her desk. “I expect you to be within ten feet of this man at all times unless he’s playing in a game, in which case I expect you to be watching that game. You will stick to him like a fly on glue. You will eat with him, you will travel with him, you will sleep in the same room as him. That’s the assignment. And if you don’t want it, I’ll give it to someone who will jump at this opportunity.”
“I want it.”
She shakes her head, exasperated, and puts her glasses back on. “Get your things packed. You start tomorrow. You’ll need to travel light.”