Switch

from Harrisburg Area Community Colege.'

'There's a certain amount of on-the-job training we're

expecting to provide.'

I'd spent enough time around people who couldn't stand

silence to understand how powerful it can be. I nodded

instead of speaking, even to murmur what could be

construed as consent. Vivian looked at Paul, but he and I

had already established our lack of need for speech to

communicate.

She cleared her throat to draw his attention and then

drank, at last, from her mug. 'Paul has spoken so highly of

you, Paige, and your background can only help you. This

is a great opportunity.'

'Could you explain why?'

Her lips parted, and she drank again instead of answering

me right away. When she put the mug down on Paul's

desk the sloshing from inside had lessened considerably.

She looked at him again with her brow furrowed. Clearly,

the fact I wasn't jumping up and down for joy to leave

behind my dreary life as a secretary for the bright, shiny

world of junior whatever-thefuck confused her.

'You'd be salaried, not hourly,' she said. 'And of course, there'd be more responsibility.'

I kept my eyes on Paul. 'I have plenty of responsibility.'

We al laughed, though she didn't sound amused. She

drank again and her mug rattled with the unmistakable

sound of emptiness. She put the cup down with a final-

sounding thud.

'This would be different,' she said flatly.

The men I knew were more often insensitive rather than

purposefuly cruel, obtuse rather than inattentive. Paul was

more in tune than most and, smile fading, he turned to her.

I wondered if he'd only just now figured out her real

reasons for wanting me out of his office.

The silence went on long enough to make it officialy

awkward. Then Vivian stood. 'Excuse me a minute.'

awkward. Then Vivian stood. 'Excuse me a minute.'

I was surprised she'd lasted as long as she had. My

kidneys would have been floating. Neither of us said

anything as she went into Paul's bathroom and closed the

door firmly behind her.

He turned to stare at me. 'Paige.'

'Let me just get something straight, Paul. This isn't even an

interview for the new position. I'm interviewing for an

interview for a job I've been preselected for, right?' I leaned forward and caught his gaze with mine.

Paul hesitated, then nodded. 'Yes.'

Back straight, chin lifted, I sat back in my chair and

recrossed my legs. From the bathroom I heard the sound

of running water. I kept my expression neutral, though I

had no doubt he could tel my mood even through the