Double Standards by Judith McNaught Read Free Book Online Page B

offer of a job to be nervous about transcribing her dictation. In a few minutes, she returned from the typewriter and walked hesitantly into his office. "Here's the memo, Mr. Williams."
    He glanced at it and then at her. "Very efficient. How did Weatherby ever get the idea that you're a feather-brain?"
    "It's the impression I gave him," Lauren said obliquely.
    "Care to tell me how that happened?"
    "No, not really. It was all a… a misunderstanding."
    "Very well, we'll leave it at that. Now, is there anything else we need to discuss? Yes, of course there is—your salary."
    The salary he named was $2,000 a year less than Philip had offered, but Philip had promised to make up the difference.
    "Well, do you want the job?"
    "Yes," Lauren said with a faint smile. "And no. I would like to work for you, because I have the feeling that I could learn a great deal. But I
don't
want the job if the only reason you're offering it to me is because of… of…"
    "Nick Sinclair?"
    Lauren nodded.
    "Nick has nothing whatsoever to do with it. I've known him for many years, and we're good friends. Friendship, however, has no place in business matters. Nick has his job and I have mine. I do not presume to tell him how to do his, and I would not appreciate his trying to influence my choice of a secretary."
    "Then why did you decide to interview me today, even though I failed my tests?"
    His brown eyes twinkled. "Oh, that. Well, as a matter of fact, my former secretary, for whom I have the greatest respect, struck sparks off Weatherby from the very first. When I heard that a bright young secretarial applicant hadn't hit it off with him yesterday, I thought perhaps you might be another Theresa. You aren't, but I think you and I will work together even better, Lauren."
    "T hank you, Mr. Williams. I'll see you two weeks from Monday."
    "Call me Jim."
    Lauren smiled, accepting his handshake. "In that case, you may call me Lauren."
    "I thought I had been."
    "You have."
    His lips twitched. "Good for you—don't let me intimidate you."
    Lauren emerged from the dim building into the dazzling sunlight of a wonderful August day. As she waited for the traffic light to change from red to green, her gaze was irresistibly drawn to the
Global
Industries
Building
across the street. Would Nick be there working, she wondered. She longed to see him.
    The light changed and she crossed the wide boulevard to her car. But if Nick had wanted to see
her
again, surely he would have asked for her phone number. Perhaps he was shy. Shy! Lauren shook her head derisively as she reached for the car door handle. Nick Sinclair was not in the least shy! With his looks and lazy charm, he was probably accustomed to women who took the initiative and asked
him
out…
    The glass doors of the building swung open, and Lauren's heart soared as Nick himself strode into view. For a joyous moment, Lauren thought he'd seen her standing at her car and had come out to talk to her, but he turned to his right and started toward the far corner of the building.
    "Nick!" she called impulsively. "Nick!"
    He glanced over his shoulder, and Lauren waved at him, feeling absurdly happy when he headed toward her with those long strides of his.
    "Guess where I've been?" She beamed.
    There was a warm, teasing light in his gray eyes as they swept over her shining honey hair in its elegant chignon, her smart beige suit, silky blouse and chocolate brown sandals. "Modeling for a Bonwit Teller fashion show?" he ventured with a grin.
    Lauren glowed at the compliment, but she hung on to her composure. "No, I've been across the street at Sinco Electronics, and they offered me a job—t hank s to you."
    He ignored her reference to his help. "Did you take it?"
    "Did I ! The money's fantastic; the man I'll be working for is terrific, and the job sounds interesting and challenging."
    "You're pleased, then?"
    Lauren nodded… then waited, hoping he would ask her out. Instead he reached down to open her car door for her.