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“So, should I congratulate you or give you my condolences?”
Stephen looked up to see Tony watching him. “I wasn’t aware of a need for either.”
“Well,” Tony said. “Pepper called me to tell me that there was a clear and obvious winner amongst the candidates she interviewed today.” Well, that hadn’t taken Pepper long. “She thinks I should offer you the position.”
Stephen fought a smile of satisfaction. Some things needed to be said, though. “I don’t want the position if the only reason you’re giving it to me is because Pepper said so. I want the position because you want me there.”
“You went through the interview process,” Tony pointed out as he sauntered closer. “Aced it, too.”
Obviously. “To show you I was serious,” he acknowledged. “And because having Pepper’s green light doesn’t hurt. Plus, I do like proving my superiority; this was an excellent opportunity. Having you admit I’m superior to the rest of those applications was necessary.”
Tony’s eyes glinted with amusement. “Haven’t admitted anything.”
“You will,” Stephen said. He closed the space between them. “So, Tony, is the position mine?”
Tony laughed. “It’s been yours from the moment you filled out that stupid application.”