Kara shut her mouth again and gave me an appraising look. “So, do you know how to do anything? What did you do for Stefan?”
“I can change oil and tires, stuff in a body shop. I did a good job there, from what I was told. This can’t be that much different. I feel as though I’m perfectly capable, but ignorant of the how-to.”
Her blunt fingernail tapped at the edge of the laptop. “Why aren’t you still at the body shop, then?”
Fuck. I’d told her I’d level with her, and her demeanor had gone from annoyed to appraising. Everyone always said the truth was the best option. I sighed and blurted it out. “I was late too often, called out too often. I didn’t take it seriously.”
Her face shut down again. Damn it!
I threw my hands up, holding off her response. “But I am now. I’m dead serious. If I don’t do a good job for you and you fire me, they donate my trust fund.”
Kara’s face broke into amusement as she tried to hold back the laughter.
I couldn’t help feeling a little annoyed at that, but I kept my mouth shut.
Finally, she sobered up and cocked her head at me, leaning forward on her elbows and meeting my eyes. “Can you keep your opinions to yourself?”
Valor growled in amusement while I blinked several times as I ignored him and considered if I’d be able to do that or not. “I think so. I’ll certainly try.”
She snorted, leaning back again. “I bet. I’ll give you a shot, but here’s how we’re going to do it. For the first month, you make ten percent of the job’s net cost. So any equipment or parts we have to buy specifically for that job comes out of the total, then you get ten and I get ninety.”
I nodded, eager to agree to anything. There were literally no other jobs within a reasonable driving distance. If she didn’t give me a shot, I was screwed. I sat forward in my seat, the old wooden chair creaking.
“If you’re late, you give up two percent. If you don’t show, you give up half the next job and only make five percent.”
Damn. She was going to be harsh. But I would be sure not to be late, and I would prove it. “Fine. Agreed.”
“Once you learn a thing or two if you go on a job by yourself, it flip-flops. You get ninety percent, I get ten.”
I raised my eyebrows. “That’s generous.”
She nodded. “I know. But if you last that long, you’ll deserve it.” She eyed my shirt. “Do you have tools?”
I shook my head.
She tutted. “I have enough for now, but I’ll make you a list of basic tools you need to own. When you have your trust fund and go off to do whatever you’re going to do, you’ll want some basic tools in your home anyway.”
I kept nodding, agreeing with the politest smile I could muster.
“I’m getting busier and busier as people realize a female maintenance person isn’t such a bad thing. But I need you to learn fast. If I keep growing at this rate, in about a month I’ll need you to be able to do some calls on your own. Do you think you can handle that?”
I was aware that I was lazy sometimes and didn’t want to deal with responsibility, but I wasn’t stupid. “I won’t disappoint you.”
“One last thing,” she said with a sigh. “My father has been pressuring me to have some muscle with me, especially when I go to places like the gym. But I won’t have anybody thinking that I’m not the boss. I’m in charge, I’m the expert. You’re the apprentice, got it?”
She was worried I’d make it seem like she hired me because she couldn’t do the job alone. “I’m here to learn, no matter who asks me. You’re the expert.” Holding up both hands, I closed my eyes and ducked my head. “Don’t worry.”
I’d really scraped and bowed and agreed to anything, shocked that she was even willing to consider this. It felt all weird not to be the one to call the shots and say how it was going to be, but it wasn’t exactly a negative emotion.
I don’t mind submitting to her.
That caught me completely off guard. Valor wouldn’t submit to anyone, ever. Not even me, really. If he was willing to let her take the lead, that meant he was a lost cause when it came to Kara.
He was going to be a problem.
5
Kara
Rico had asked to start on Monday, but I had my yearly lady-parts appointment that I couldn’t miss. I hated those damn appointments and always treated myself to a nice dinner and something pampering at the same time. This time, I went with a pedicure.
Instead of having him work on Sunday, I emailed him a series of videos I found on a video-sharing app. They covered the basics of various areas like the different types of tools and equipment we’d be working with, and some how-tos on repairing appliances and the like.
If he watched them, then great. It would help. If he didn’t, then he’d have to work that much harder to be competent. Totally up to him.
Either way, no skin off my nose. One of the reasons I’d agreed to hire Rico was that I knew I could resist him. He was cocky and proud, no matter the act he’d put on about being compliant and willing to do anything I asked him to. Sure, he was hot, but it took a lot more than being hot to get me going.
And Rico definitely didn’t have the other qualities. He wasn’t warm or caring; he didn’t have a bone in his body that would put me before himself. No dangers of me falling for Rico. Nope.
Even if he was delectably hot. And smelled good, like cedar. Ugh, what kind of weirdo was I? Stop it.
I got
