Chapter 2

"Why on earth would you refer me for a job like this?" Lana asked Denise. "Come on, I'm barely in recovery."

"I thought between your meetings it would be a good diversion. Even you've said you're itchy to get back out there and do something productive. This will not only be productive, but also could be fun."

"Uh huh," Lana said skeptically. "And what kind of guy is this person you referred me for the job?"

"You'll love him," Denise smiled and nodded. "There's a few guys in the company that can and are real assholes, but I happy to say Paul isn't one of them. He wants to see you on Monday, by the way."

"Already?"

"All it took was one look at your resume to spark his interest."

"Okay….but who wants to be once it gets out I did a stint in rehab that my chances will be blown?"

"Lana, you act like going to rehab was a capital crime. Frankly, if I were in anyone's place, I'd admire you for admitting you had a problem and dealt with it. It shows you're a problem solver and a thinker. I honestly think this is the kind of person Paul needs. I don't think you being a recovering addict is going to weigh into the factor."

"I certainly hope not. But all right, I'll do the interview. What's the worst that can happen?"

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The more Denise had told Paul about her friend Lana, the more it had piqued his interest. It wasn't just the skills listed on her resume; he probably wouldn't need her to do much anyway.

The name Lana…..wool in Spanish. Still, it was a beautiful name.

Denise had also mentioned that this woman had also come back from a difficult time; she hadn't gone into detail with what exactly had happened to Lana, but it was clear to him that Dee had cared enough to have Lana considered for a job to put the pieces back together. If she was a tough as she sounded, she would be a nice fit for him.

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Lana arrived on Monday afternoon at the scheduled time, giving the receptionist her name and shown back to a conference room where the interview was to take place.

She felt a little intimidated by the surroundings; the last place she had worked hadn't even appeared this posh.

Denise had given her a general idea of what the job would involve and a little background on Paul, but nothing really prepared Lana for this. She just hoped she didn't come across like some clueless fool.

When Paul finally came in, Lana was stunned; he wasn't the large, hulking figure she had expected him to be. He all but looked like the men she'd pass on the street on a regular or maybe a few guys at her meetings, perhaps a little more striking.

Even stranger, she felt comfortable with him right away, something that had never happened. Nevertheless, Lana felt it was important to be honest with him as she answered Paul's questions with more ease than expected.

"Look, there's something else you should know and you can either take it or leave it in your final decision. I spent thirty days in a rehab facility recently for a pill addition; I'm clean now, but I need to be honest and get it out there—"

"The job is yours," Paul cut in.

Lana stopped short. "What?"

"Did I stutter?" he laughed. "You're hired. Any woman that can be that totally honest about things deserves a shot."

"You can't be serious." She was still in shock.

"Yep, the job's yours if you still want it. So when can you start?"

"Uh…is tomorrow too soon?" Lana asked, thrilled.

"Terrific! And ambitious. I think I like you already. Now let's see if you can put up with my craziness."

Lana smiled widely; Denise was right, this guy was going to be like no other, and she had a feeling that this job would be more than a cut above the boring yet stressful one she'd had for five years before her addiction.