Ashley

My hands were shaking as I made my way back to my desk. I had come in this morning to Mr. Brent beckoning me to his office. He gave me a very quick rundown of what was about to happen and then tossed some papers at me and told me to familiarize myself with things. Sure, taxes were one of my strong suits. But no one could devour taxes in fifteen minutes.

But I did the best I could, and Mr. Sheldon seemed to be pleased.

“Miss Ternbeau?”

I turned my head at the sound of Mr. Fowler’s voice. What was going on? Had I missed something?

“Could you come back into Mr. Brent’s office, please?”

People were looking around at me as I got back up out of my chair. They were throwing me questioning looks as I walked back into the man’s office. Mr. Brent was sitting at his desk, and Ross was standing in the corner. They ushered me to sit down in the chair in front of the desk, and I had no idea what was about to come my way.

Was there something I had missed? Did the meeting not go as well as I’d thought it did?

“I’m sorry for the hecticness of this morning,” Mr. Fowler said. “When things happen last minute, it tends to get chaotic.”

“It’s not a problem,” I said. “Is something wrong?”

“Nope. Ross and I want to make sure you’re clear on what just happened,” Mr. Brent said.

“If I’m reading the scenario correctly, Mr. Sheldon’s wanting me to take a look at the official corporate tax documents once they’re prepared to make sure they sync up with all the corporate benefits that come with this tax overhaul,” I said.

“Not exactly. Everything will be finalized by Mr. Brent, but we do want you and him to bat things back and forth as information comes from our lawyer. These new tax laws will help us out a lot, but they are buried underneath mounds of formal speak. We have our lawyers decoding it for us, and as they find new information for us to use, things will have to shift. We want you to be on standby along with Mr. Brent to give us another pair of eyes on these taxes this year,” Mr. Fowler said.

“I can do that,” I said. “Thank you for trusting me with something like this.”

“There will be a bonus for you as well,” Mr. Brent said. “Right?”

“There will be. You’ll see it on your paycheck once taxes are filed and accepted,” Mr. Fowler said.

I felt relief course through my veins. Extra money meant more ways I could help my mother. I could dig myself out of the last of the money I owed on my credit card and, depending on how much it was, I could put a little bit of it away in my savings. It wasn’t much, but anything extra would help me out.

“Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me,” I said.

“It’s going to be a doozy of a tax year, and I’ll make sure your bonus reflects your efforts,” Mr. Fowler said.

It took all I had not to tear up in Mr. Brent’s office.

They dismissed me, and I went back to work. I clocked out for an early lunch, unable to contain my excitement. I rushed out of the office, ran to my car, and then sped out of the parking garage so I could go see Cassidy. I swung by our favorite takeout place and picked us up both lunch to celebrate. Then, I parked on the side of the road and wrapped around to her back entrance.

“I hear that door opening, which means it can only be one person,” Cassidy said.

“I bring lunch and very good news,” I said.

“How much do I owe ya?” she asked.

“Nothing. It’s on me.”

“No, it’s not. Unless we’re celebrating a raise.”

“Not a raise but a bonus,” I said.

“Oh, sounds juicy. Did the boss give it to you for a ... job well done?”

“Not funny, and I’m going to smack you later for it.”

“Let’s eat so you can get up the energy to chase me down for it. Why all the smiling?” she asked.

“Because of the bonus, you idiot!”

“I mean, what’s it for?” she asked. “And don’t call me an idiot. I’ll throw you into the fondant I’m making.”

“I’ll eat my way out,” I said with a grin. “Anyway, the company’s wanting me to be a second set of eyes on their taxes this year. You know, with all the tax breaks being used as an incentive to bring jobs back into the country. Mr. Fowler said the bonus would be worth my while.”

“They’re paying you with cash, right? Not with your boss’s dick?”

“I’m going to kill you,” I said flatly.

“Oh, take a joke. Come on. You should’ve known I’d given you a hard time on it. And anyway, I’m happy for you. I know any sort of boost in your paycheck will help you out with everything going on. And you know if you ever need money, you can call me, right?”

“Someone who’s good with numbers who can’t stick to her own budget? What would that look like?” I asked.

“Like you finally decided to treat yourself to something after working so hard and using every extra ounce of cash you have to take care of your mother.”

“Wow, you drew in a deep breath for that one.”

“I’ve been storing it in my pocket for a rainy day, yes,” she said. “But, why you?”

“Ouch. What does that mean?” I asked.

“Not like it came out. You’re good with numbers. Sickly good. It’s why I have you look over all my shit before I shove money at you and demand you take it. But, do you think them doing this has anything to do with your weekend?”

“You think they gave me this job because I slept with Mr. Sheldon?”

“I’m only wondering. Is that possible? Because if it is, this might not be a good idea.”

“I don’t think so. I mean, Mr. Sheldon was there in the beginning part of the meeting this morning. If it was because of, you know, what we did, wouldn’t he have hit on me or something during the meeting?”

“You saw him there? How did that make you feel?”

“Not really like anything,” I said.

“You weren’t nervous or giddy or anything like that?”

“No. I think I’m still a little embarrassed, but he kept it professional, and I did the same. I really don’t think they gave this to me because I slept with him.”

“Was it his call?”

“What?” I asked.

“Something like this. Would they need his approval in order to give you this extra work or this bonus?”

“I don’t know. Probably. It is the corporation’s taxes.”

Cassidy gave me this look as she began to eat her burger.

Could she be right? Was it possible they gave me this position because I drunkenly slept with Mr. Sheldon? What? Did they think I was going to tell someone about it or something? Use it as leverage to move up in his company? Was this some sort of weird hush money they were throwing my way?

Was that how hush money worked?

“Damn it. Why did you have to say that?” I asked. “Now I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“You’re probably right. If they were professional in the meeting, then maybe they did choose you because you’re the right person for the job,” Cass said.

“But what if this is because I slept with him? Why would they give me something like this if I slept with him?”

“To make sure you didn’t try to hold it over his head?” she asked.

“Ugh, that was what I was thinking.”

“Look, it was only a suggestion. I didn’t mean to make this a big thing. If you’re that worried about it, then go above and beyond. Show them you’re really the right person for this job. Change their mind if that’s the track it’s on.”

“That’s actually not a bad idea,” I said.

“Show them what you can bring to the table professionally. Show off that mind of yours and take the reins. If they did this because you slept with him, then make sure by the end of it, they don’t regret hiring you for the job.”

“Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to show them why I’m the best at what I do,” I said.

“Get it, girl.”

“I’m going to show them I’m worth a damn to their company.”

“Yes, girl. Preach!” Cass said.

“I’m going to show them I was the best decision Mr. Sheldon ever made!”

“Professionally speaking, of course.”

“I really am going to slap you,” I said.

“You’ll have to catch me first,” she said with a grin.