“First of all, I’ve already moved here a few days ago, and I’m sorry, but I’ve heard nothing about you.”

“Did you move here with that asshole boyfriend of yours?”

“How do you know he wasn’t my husband? Why are you assuming he was just a boyfriend?”

He smiled. “You weren’t wearing a ring on the plane and you’re not wearing one now. The fact that you used past tense when you spoke about him leads me to believe that the two of you are no longer together.”

“Mr. Young. Would you care to explain to me how this has anything to do with this job interview?”

“Please, call me Simon. There’s no need for formality here. And it doesn’t have anything to do with the job interview. It’s my curiosity that’s getting the best of me.”

Was he serious? “Fine. Then let me put your curiosity to rest. He’s not here with me. I left him and moved to Seattle. I’m staying with my best friend, Giana, for the time being.”

“Smart girl,” he said as he continued to look over my resume. “You graduated from Cornell with honors and in the top ten percent of your class. Very impressive. It looks like Holster Marketing’s loss is my gain. I’m going to take a leap and call them fools for letting someone like you go.”

“Thank you,” I spoke as I looked down.

“You’re not used to taking compliments, are you, Gabrielle?”

I couldn’t believe the nerve of this man. Who the hell did he think he was? I looked at him and cocked my head. “What makes you think that, Mr. Young?”

“Simon,” he spoke as he sat up and put his hands on the desk. “You keep looking away from me. Do I make you uncomfortable?”

What I really wanted to tell him was yes, extremely uncomfortable, but I couldn’t risk not getting this job.

“No, not at all.”

“Good. Because the last thing I’d want is for you to feel uncomfortable if you’re going to work for me.” He smiled.

“Really?” I asked as I looked at his left hand. He wasn’t wearing a ring.

“Yes. I feel you’re the perfect candidate for the marketing position we have available. Can you start tomorrow?”

“Yes, and thank you, Mr.— Simon.”

“That’s better. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go bring Peter back in. I’m late for a meeting.” He got up from his chair and so did I. He walked over to me and extended his hand.

“Welcome to Young International, Gabrielle. It will be a great pleasure having you as an employee,” he expressed with delight.

I had to know. I just had to. As he opened the door, I blurted out, “You have a very beautiful wife.”