Life In London

Chapter 10

"Here goes." Daniel whispered to himself. He gripped the rolled papers in his hand so tightly his fingers were turning white from the lack of circulation. For all the importance the document had it wasn't surprising. It quite literally was the key to his future. He took one last deep breath before he opened the door that led into Betty's office.

He walked in and stopped to watch as Betty was pacing back and forth in front of the window with the phone held to her ear. She was listening intently to the person on the other end. He could tell it was important from her body language.

"Will do, Mr. Dunne." Betty nodded as she said her goodbyes and the call ended. She let out a huge huff and shook her head turning towards her desk, but with her back still turned she had yet to see Daniel standing there.

He cleared his throat and her eyes shot up as she finally noticed him. He saw the flash of red over her cheeks and could tell that her mind was still on the phone call, but as she recognized him her small grimace turned into a relieved smile.

"Hi, Daniel." Her eyes darted down to the paper he was holding and saw how he was fidgeting with it, rolling it up and unrolling it nervously. "What brings you by?"

"You mean other than to see you?" he smirked and internally groaned as even he knew that was a fairly cheesy line, but he couldn't take it back now. She smiled, of course, but had to stop herself from rolling her eyes as she finally sat down at her desk. A few moments passed as he let her settle herself in. He bounced on his heels and looked at the paper in his hands again. Once she seemed comfortable, she looked back at him silently waiting for him to explain.

He steadied himself and placed his hands behind his back, and she saw as his countenance suddenly changed to very serious. He cleared his throat once more and he prepared to give the little speech he had practiced that entire morning.

"Miss Suarez, it has come to my understanding that you are in need of an executive assistant." He pulled out the papers from behind his back and took the two steps forward to place them on the desk for her to see. "I would like to submit my resume for the position in a permanent capacity."

"Daniel…" Betty started, but she couldn't hold back her smile. For one, seeing him like this was perhaps the most endearing thing she had ever seen, and for another, who would have ever thought that one day Daniel Meade would be coming to her for a job?

"Now I know that my work history would suggest that this position is far beneath my abilities, but I would argue that it makes me a perfect candidate because I know exactly what kind of help you may need. I understand the complexities of how a magazine runs. I have experience in dealing with all sorts of people and I believe I could be a valuable asset to you. I…"

"Daniel…" Betty started again, but he was on a roll now.

"I would never expect that things would be the same as they were at Mode, but I know how good of a team we make, and I really think I can help you. I want to help you." he looked into her eyes deeply, and she watched as he pleaded with her without saying another word.

There was something in the way he was looking at her. It made her breath catch slightly. She was absolutely torn. Here he was, the great Daniel Meade, standing before her pleading for a job. It was almost pitiful, but rather than pity what she was feeling was a mix of admiration and sadness. The sadness, however, wasn't at seeing him ask for the job, but for what it could mean between them. Did he really want to work for her?

She had spent that night after talking to Hilda going over every detail of their interactions. Hilda told her if she ever got an inkling that there may be more between them that she should go for it. If he worked for her, it could complicate things so much on that front that here in front of her was the ultimate decision. She could hire him, and they could go back to being boss/employee with the added benefit of being friends, or she could throw all caution to the wind and finally allow herself to explore the possibility of friendship with the added benefit of love. How could she be expected to make that decision so quickly?

On one hand, having him so close and working together again could be the best thing to happen since being asked to run a magazine. On the other, it could be the thing that breaks them, and she would have to give up all hope of anything more. Is more what she wanted? She looked down at the application and tried to focus.

"Is this really what you want?" she asked him so softly it almost seemed like she was asking herself.

"Yes, it is." He said resolutely.

She lowered her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Daniel… I just don't know. Could you really be happy working as an assistant? As my assistant?"

He took the chance to step forward and sit in the chair across from her. She tried to look at the application as if she didn't know him, but she gave up almost immediately because it was a fruitless endeavor.

"Betty…" he began. If they weren't in her office he would have reached over to take her hand, but he was determined to be professional. "I think so. I know how much this job means to you, and I've seen how you've juggled everything here on top of making time for me. I see this as the chance to have the best of both worlds. It isn't that you can't do this without an assistant, but frankly, you've earned it. You wouldn't have to do too much to train me, and you know how quickly I catch on to things. Besides I'm sure if I have any questions Sean can help me out. Let's get the team back together."

She stopped at that and looked straight into his eyes. Her heart was flipping around in her chest. Maybe this was the best path forward. It had to be better than waiting to see what his next move would be. Truly this was his next move. In many ways, he was making it clear that he was here to stay, but in the deepest part of her heart she was still screaming out for the answer to the other question plaguing her dreams at night. What does it all mean? What does he want from me?

"But an assistant Daniel? You were Editor-in-Chief for Christ's sake! I just don't see how you would be happy working as an assistant." She leaned back into her chair and crossed her arms. She wanted it; she knew that. Nothing would be better, to have him there, to see him every day. This was the first time that it became clear to her that what was keeping her from saying yes is because maybe Hilda was right. Maybe she did want to see what else they could be, and as a boss could she in good conscience hire someone she was harboring feelings for? Is it even ethical? Maybe it would be better to let him down gently and suggest that she help him find a job elsewhere in London. It would certainly make things less complicated for them.

Daniel hung his head and took a deep breath again. He hadn't expected her to immediately say yes, but he didn't think he would really have to fight to convince her.

"To be honest, I'm not sure I could get hired elsewhere. It isn't easy to start over, and I don't want to just hang around with nothing to do other than to hang out with you."

"Do you even want to stay in publishing though? You said you wanted to see what else you could do." She pointed out flatly.

"I'm not sure, but maybe this could help me figure that out. Look, Betty, you obviously need an assistant, and I need a job for my own sanity if nothing else. I see it as a win-win."

She looked at him again and shook her head slightly. She knew he was right. He had made very good points, and if anyone in London was going to let a former Editor-in-Chief who had walked away from it all have a chance at starting over, it may as well be her. She had to put herself back into boss mode now.

"You know I can't pay you anything close to what you made before." She said with a small smirk on her face.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He said, finally feeling some hope.

"And you would have to get my coffee for me."

"I do that often enough already I thought you'd be used to it by now."

"I would be your boss."

"I know."

She set the application back down on the desk and looked at the window for a moment.

"Well… when can you start?"

"Is right now too soon?"

At that, she finally smiled fully, and Daniel felt his heart lift by a thousand levels. He couldn't help it, he pumped his fist in the air and held it there waiting for a classic high-five. She did it without thinking and leaned up to meet him and their eyes met as their hands stayed there, palm against palm for perhaps two moments too long.

Success. He thought.

Crap. She thought as she felt that all too familiar spark of electricity. What have I got myself into?