“I don’t really know a lot about the maple syrup industry,” I say quickly, “but I do love the outdoors, and the forest here is beautiful.”
“This position wouldn’t be directly involved with Rosa Syrup processing,” Melissa says, still not looking up. “We provide more of a preparatory step with the information we gather going to both the state and the industry.”
“Well, I can certainly count trees!” I laugh, then quickly stifle myself. I bite my lip, hoping I hadn’t just blown it.
Melissa raises an eyebrow at me.
“Relax,” she says. “You’ve got the job. I just need to do a background check, but I’m sure that will all be fine unless you have a history of setting forest fires I should know about.”
“No, ma’am, I do not.”
“Good to know. Don’t call me ma’am again. It’s just Melissa.”
“Of course. Sorry, Melissa.”
“I’ll run your background check today and call you tomorrow with a schedule. It should be pretty steady, but the hours can be flexible just as long as I know when you’re out there. Can you start on Thursday?”
“Absolutely! That sounds good! Thank you so much!” Relief combines with way over-the-top enthusiasm, and I crumple the edge of my reference list when I grip it too tightly. “I’m really excited to be working with you.”
“I’m sure you’ll do great.” Melissa’s tone is deadpan as she stands and motions toward the door.
I stand and collect my papers, shoving them back into their folder. Melissa follows me to the door, opening it for me. We shake hands briefly as I thank her again, but her tone and posture bother me. Maybe it’s just her personality, but it feels like something else. I take two steps down the hall but then pause and turn back.
“Melissa, may I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
Ah, shit! I have no idea how to word my question without sounding…sounding…what? Unsure of myself? Pathetic? If I’m completely off base, I’ll sounds like a nutcase, but I need to know. I take in a breath and expel the words.
“Am I getting this job just because Nate Orso recommended me?”
Melissa doesn’t blink or hesitate.
“Yes.”
“What?” I’m surprised by her blunt response.
“Did you want a different answer?” Melissa asks.
“Well, yes,” I say, a little indignant. “I think I am actually qualified for the job.”
“The job requires you to be able to walk for long periods, identify maple trees, and count. Most people are qualified for it.”
“But I get it because Nate told you to hire me.” I’m being far too blunt, but I can’t seem to help myself.
“He didn’t tell me to hire you,” she says, clearly resenting the idea. “He just called and said I should interview you, which I did, but I’m not an idiot.”
“An idiot?” I narrow my eyes.
“He clearly wants you to have the job.” Melissa gestures toward me. “I’m not about to say no, especially when I need three people, and you seem as good as any.”
I frown, not wanting to see myself categorized in such a degrading way but also realizing this job doesn’t require a complicated skill set, and her logic isn’t off. But to have her put it so bluntly has left me completely mortified.
I could have gotten this job without Nate’s help.
“So, he does this a lot, then?” My tone stings my own lips.
“No, he doesn’t.” Melissa cocks her head at me. “Actually, he’s never done this before, at least not to me. I figure he must really want you employed here, so you get the job. Don’t you want it?”
“Well, yes, of course. I just…” I can’t finish the sentence.
“Cherry, I’m fine with it, so don’t look so upset.”
I manage to nod, but I can’t come up with any more words.
“I’m sure you have many talents.” She presses her lips together, hiding a grin. “You’ll do fine here.”
She quickly closes the office door.
My mouth drops open as I realize what she must think. I go as far as to raise my hand to knock on the door and clarify but think better of it. Instead, I shuffle back to my car, trying to sort out my feelings.
I’m thrilled to have employment, especially a job I think I’ll really enjoy. I’m also irate at Nate’s interference as well as confused by it. I don’t understand why he would go to the trouble.
“He doesn’t even know me.” I slam the car into drive and pull out of the parking lot.
The drive is short, and when I stomp back into my apartment, I’m definitely angry about Nate’s contacting Melissa but also elated to have employment so soon. It’s not even Nate’s calling her that has me angry but the impression his request clearly left on her.
“She thinks I’m a whore.” I slam my keys down on the kitchen table. “Nate Orso owns the east side of town, and my new boss clearly thinks I’m sleeping with him. Fucking fantastic.”
I huff out a breath and yank open the fridge, looking for comfort food, but nothing looks appetizing. Doing any actual cooking requires far more effort than I feel like expending right now, so I grab a yogurt and a spoon.
Vee sits in judgment at the kitchen table.
“I haven’t slept with him,” I mutter. “We weren’t even on a date together. We’d only just met! I have no idea why he would do something like that.”
I shovel yogurt into my mouth and then crush the little cup. I replay Saturday night in my head, specifically the conversation with Nate about my interest in botany and the point where he handed me a napkin with a job lead on it.
“Nate, what are you doing? Offering me a job?”
“Technically, you’ll have to interview, but if you want to move past the bullshit, yes.”
I already knew what
