Mountain Grump, page 11
And I need something full-time.
Looking back, I had an office and set hours. I’m pretty sure Bridget should have been paying me as an employee and not as a contractor. She was trying to get away with not having to pay benefits, including social security tax, which I got stuck footing.
Could I get her into trouble for it? Yes, but it’s not worth the hassle.
That woman screwed me over.
I just want to move on and never look back.
She took the footage I had, changed it, manipulated it, and then posted it online, making Logan out to be the bad guy, which is completely untrue and unfair.
While he was a bit of a grump when I first got to know him, the captions she put on the video were entirely unfair.
I watched it once and grimaced. I couldn’t watch it again and didn’t want to give her any extra video views by repeatedly watching it, either.
I tried calling Logan. He wouldn’t take my calls. I don’t have Julianna’s number or Wyatt’s. When I tried to call the hotel and get transferred, Wyatt told me to leave Logan alone and hung up abruptly.
No one would let me explain what happened.
If I had the money, I’d fly to Breckenridge and explain everything to Logan. But I don’t have the funds. I can barely make ends meet since my last paycheck was short. Bridget decided not to pay me for my services for the last assignment, since she didn’t use the footage I put together.
Except, she did use it. She spliced up the clips I had and made it into her own horror story, giving the resort zero stars. That’s not even something we do!
Did Bridget have it out for Logan from the beginning?
Obviously, there’s bad blood between the two of them. And she made it clear that she expected me to create a scathing video review. It’s why she sent me to the mountains when she knows I hate the cold.
That woman is vile.
But Logan thinks I’m the monster who sold him out. It wasn’t me, and if he won’t take my calls, how am I supposed to explain to him what happened?
I wrote him a letter, but it came back as refused. He didn’t even open it.
He hates me.
There isn’t anything to do but move on. Find another job and chalk this up as a history lesson. Don’t mix business and pleasure.
I shouldn’t have slept with Logan. Not that I regret a moment of it, but it wasn’t a wise decision.
It’s been weeks since I’ve seen him or spoken with him. I have an interview lined up out of state. I can’t afford the plane fare, but the company has offered to fly me out after doing two phone and video interviews with staff.
They’re looking to expand their hotel line in several overseas markets. They want an influencer who can help push them on social media, encouraging travel to those countries and thinking of the Luxenberg line of hotels to stay at.
I don’t complain. It’s a job, and the pay has to be better than what I was making. Besides, I’m late on my bills and put everything on my credit card so that I can make rent.
I can’t keep doing that. I need a job, even if it’s flipping burgers or making sandwiches. That’s my next option if this doesn’t pan out.
I haven’t been to New York before. It’s winter, February, and chilly. There’s snow on the ground but not too much to cause me to be late for the interview. But I’m not dressed warm enough for the cold.
I’m shivering as I rush into the building, my black heels sliding out from under me on the icy pavement.
I curse, but manage to catch myself before landing on my ass or skinning my knee. I don’t need torn pantyhose as a first impression.
My neck is sore, and my arm hurts from trying to catch myself. I managed to pull a muscle, but it could be worse.
I hate heels. I’m only wearing them to look the part of a professional. I’ve met with several staff members via video conference, but they’re having me meet the CEO in person.
I check in at the main desk and am handed a visitor pass and pointed toward the direction of the elevators.
I head into the elevator, exhaling a heavy sigh. As instructed, I press the button for the thirty-fifth floor, and the elevator car zooms up at record speed. My heart pounds in my chest, and my stomach is a ball of nerves. I barely touched my breakfast this morning, afraid I’d get sick.
I shouldn’t be nervous, but this is a big company and a huge interview. If I get the job, I’ll probably have to move to New York, but at least I’ll be able to pay my bills.
Not that New York City is cheaper than Los Angeles.
I should have looked for a job in some small town with a company requiring a social media presence. Except a small town is what led me to Logan Henderson, and I don’t want to go down that path again.
Small towns mean that everyone knows one another. There are no secrets. If you date someone and it doesn’t work out, you’ll always see them at the grocery store, gas station, or restaurant. No thanks.
I’m done with that life. One week was too much.
The elevator doors ding as I reach the thirty-fifth floor and step out. There’s another reception desk at the front.
“May I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here to see Mr. Luxenberg. I have an appointment with him.”
“And you are?” the woman asks.
“Cali Sinclair.”
“Just a second,” she says, and grabs the phone, letting him know that his interviewee has arrived.
“Head on in. It’s straight back and down the hallway.” The woman gestures for me to go on ahead. And while I’m surprised no one is walking me back, it’s clear that everyone is incredibly busy.
The door is shut, and as I approach, it swings open. Logan steps out. “Cali?”
“Logan?” I say, staring up at him. It’s like having the wind knocked right out of me. “I—” I have so much to say, but it doesn’t come out as quickly as I’d like.
“Ms. Sinclair?” a gentleman’s voice booms from the office, waiting for me to enter.
“I have to go,” I say, pointing at the door. “I’m sorry about everything.” I chew on my bottom lip, making it raw as I slip past Logan and shut the door. I’m unsure if Mr. Luxenberg wants the office door shut, but I don’t want Logan hanging around.
In fact, how do Logan and Mr. Luxenberg know one another?
The gentleman behind the desk stands and approaches me, shaking my hand. “I’m Levi, and you must be Ms. Sinclair.”
“Please, call me Cali,” I say. If he’s not going to be formal, neither will I.
“Please, have a seat,” Levi says.
I do as he requests, sitting across from him while he glances over my resume. His eyes crinkle, and he offers a tight-lipped smile. “What brings you all the way from California, and don’t just tell me it’s the job.”
I exhale a heavy breath.
Shit.
If Levi and Logan are friends, he’ll never hire me if he discovers who I am.
“Long story,” I say, and wave my hand dismissively. “It’s not very interesting. I’m looking for a fresh start.”
The office door squeaks open, and Logan returns with a hot cup of coffee.
My day just went from bad to worse.
“Mr. Henderson will join us for the interview,” Levi says. “We’re looking to expand our social media to our ski resort.”
“What?” My head swims. “In the previous interview, the woman, Janet, had mentioned that you were looking for someone to do social media campaigns for Europe.”
“We were, but that position has been filled internally. The job description remains the same. You would just be working on a different product line. Is that a problem?” Levi asks.
I inhale a sharp breath. “Of course not,” I say, forcing a smile.
Logan sips his coffee, standing by the door.
“Are you going to sit?” Levi asks, glancing at his colleague.
I hadn’t realized that Logan was involved with Luxenberg Enterprises. Had he sold his ski resort to a big corporation after the terrible video review Bridget created and posted online?
Logan comes around and leans against the wall between Levi and me. “I’d like to hear about your previous experience. A recent campaign that you did that had a negative impact.”
He can’t be serious.
Now is my chance to apologize and right everything that went wrong. But will he accept my apology?
I need this job to pay my bills. I can’t keep pushing off my credit card, adding my bills and rent to it, and paying the minimum.
I fidget in my seat, straighten my back and make sure my feet are planted firmly on the floor. “I never created a campaign that had a negative impact.”
“We don’t hire liars,” Logan says, pushing himself off the wall, standing up straighter.
“There have been some campaigns that I’ve done that weren’t as successful as others, but I’ve never willfully hurt a company or their reputation.”
“Bullshit.”
Levi raises an eyebrow. “I take it you two know each other?” He leans back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.
The man will get a show, whether he wants one or not.
“She’s the girl who posted that video review that tried to destroy my company. There’s no way in hell I’m hiring her to work for me,” Logan says.
“Can I explain?”
“Please do,” Levi says. He glances at my resume and grabs a pen from his desk, jotting something down.
“I’m not sticking around to hear your excuses.” Logan heads for the door.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “But it wasn’t my video review. Bridget took my footage and made her own creative to post.”
Logan pauses at the door and huffs under his breath. “Nice try.” He opens the door and heads out, refusing to look at me.
Levi grimaces and folds his hands together. “Unfortunately, even if you are the right candidate, you would have to work directly under Logan Henderson, full-time. I don’t suspect that’s possible.”
I grimace and shake my head. “I didn’t come here to work for Logan.” Not that he’d hire me, either. “But I would like to explain what happened.” While I doubt Levi will side with me or talk to Logan about it, maybe he can find another opportunity within his company for me. Another branch to work out of?
“I saw the video. I should have put two and two together. It didn’t cross my mind that you might be the same Cali Sinclair as the girl back in California who trampled on my friend’s heart.”
I wince. “The video you saw wasn’t what I created.” I shove my hand into my pocket, retrieving a flash drive. “I have several video reviews along with other samples that I’ve curated for this interview.” I slide the small device across the desk. “Please, take it.”
“Can you explain why you left your previous position?” Levi asks.
“My boss, Bridget Lancaster, insisted that I stop giving positive five-star reviews to resorts I visit. She sent me to the mountains in winter, hoping I’d get her hint and create a scathing piece for the vlog.”
“And what happened?”
I point at the flash drive. “You can view the creatives I made for the Blue Sky Resort. They showcase what I’m capable of doing, and I assure you that while the video footage you might have seen from Vacationer’s Paradise was mine, not all of it was intended to be shown. And the captions and audio were not my work.”
Levi offers me a warm smile. “I will review these and look further at your portfolio. But you should know that Logan will be the one making the final decision.”
“May I ask how many other candidates you have narrowed down for the job?” They flew me from California. I should have had a pretty good chance of landing the position before Logan showed up.
But it’s not his fault. I hadn’t been told I would be working on a resort project in the mountains.
“There are a few candidates,” Levi says, tightlipped. “While the original job listing would have required the candidate to relocate to New York, this position would require you to live in Montana.”
I laugh under my breath.
“Is that a problem, Ms. Sinclair?” Levi asks.
“No, sir. But if I’m to be frank, I don’t think Logan will ever approve of it, and I can’t imagine we would work well together.”
Levi nods and jots something down. “Let me talk it over with him. We will be in touch.” He stands and escorts me out of his office, down the hallway, past Logan, who is stewing with the receptionist near the elevator.
She’s probably getting an earful.
Is he sleeping with her, too?
Eleven
Logan
“You could have warned me!” My body tingles with rage, like a volcano ready to burst at any moment.
A few staff members are looking in our direction in the hallway.
Cali is in the elevator on her way down. I wait as patiently as possible before my sudden outburst.
“Let’s discuss this in private,” Levi says, and heads for his office.
I’m not one of his staff members. I don’t work for Levi Luxenberg. We’re equals. Well, technically, I’m the bigger shareholder in the resort.
When he came to visit in December, he shot off a few decent ideas that made me consider making him part owner. He receives a small percentage in addition to a royalty share for every slope ticket that we sell for the day.
In exchange, he’ll be doing the official hiring of our social media expert, who is going to help our image and give us the publicity we need. The position works under my leadership but is paid through Luxenberg Enterprises. The employee will report to me and be required to live in or near Breckenridge. It’s not a position that can be done from home or across the country.
He shuts the office door more gently than I would as I storm inside. “Do you think this is funny, bringing Cali here for an interview?” I want to pound the shit out of something or someone. Maybe I should find the fitness room. Levi is bound to have one in the building for his employees.
Levi smiles, his shoulders relaxed. He’s not the least bit tense or high-strung over what just happened. It must be nice.
“I was as surprised as you were,” he says. He comes to sit behind his desk and grabs the flash drive off his desk, plugging it into the slot. “But you did say the video she made got a lot of traffic.”
“Wyatt told me that. I haven’t looked at it since the day after Christmas.” It’s ingrained in my mind, the horrible things she said about the company and me. It’s hard to separate the two when I own the establishment and live there. I take pride in my work and my accomplishments.
I should be grateful I haven’t seen anything from a lawyer after Cali fell from the ski lift.
“Did you know that Cali used to work for Bridget Lancaster?” Levi asks.
I rub the back of my neck and sit in the chair across from Levi. “She mentioned it a while back.” I forgot. It was an easy thing to axe out of my mind after everything else that happened.
“That woman always had it out for you.”
“Every woman seems to have it out for me,” I mutter. Cali included.
Levi chooses to ignore my remark. I’m sure he realizes nothing good will come from fighting with me about it. “Cali sent me a few additional samples. She claims that the video we saw on the vlog wasn’t hers.”
“Who else shot the footage?”
“She’s not saying she didn’t shoot it, but the review and the captions weren’t her. She left her job that morning, or was fired,” he says.
“I don’t understand.”
“I believe Bridget made the video and, in the same process, let Cali go because she didn’t do what she wanted her to do.”
I laugh under my breath. “So, Cali isn’t a model employee.”
Levi opens the folder on the computer with the flash drive and turns the screen so we can both view the content. He goes through the first video, which showcases Blue Sky Resort, and the video footage is on the slopes, with kids and families laughing and having a good time. There’s a video of the lodge, the restaurant, the food at the table, and the shop. The review is positive and upbeat.
I stand, having seen enough. “She must have known she was coming in for an interview for my resort.”
“I don’t think that’s possible. The job listing didn’t mention it, and it wasn’t until yesterday that we officially made the internal transfer for another position, or else you would have had another candidate for the job.”
I don’t know who the other candidate is, but it has to be better than dealing with Cali every damn day. “I want the other candidate,” I say.
“That’s not an option. We mentioned to her that the position would require her to move to Montana, and she refused. She asked if she could switch to the new division for our international social media projects. Given her experience and years with the company, it was the best decision for everyone.”
“Everyone but me.”
“I found you a spectacular candidate. I can’t help that the two of you hate each other.”
I open my mouth to object and tell Levi I don’t hate her, except I can’t. I’m angry. Bitter. Resentful.
“Why did she really leave Vacationer’s Paradise?” I ask.
“You’ll have to ask her that question,” Levi says. He starts the next video clip, and it’s similar to the last, the text is different, but it’s another five-star raving review. “But it’s clear in the creative content that the video on their website, she didn’t create. She may have filmed the clips, but that’s all she’s responsible for doing. The text is different, the design layout.”
“How the hell did they get surveillance footage of her fall?” I ask, remembering the original had a clip of her falling from the ski lift, which was shown repeatedly.
“A lawyer didn’t reach out to you?” Levi asks. “I assumed someone requested the footage as part of an ongoing lawsuit.”
“Nothing.”
He exhales a heavy breath and strokes his jaw. “That’s odd and interesting at the same time. I don’t think Cali is behind it. She doesn’t seem the type.”
