Page 13 of Unlocking my Boss's Heart

Would she be a liability or a valuable asset? Only time would tell.

Chapter four

Celia

Once I stepped out of the building, I hurried to a traffic-free alleyway and speed-dialed Maddison, grinning widely. The phone barely rang twice before she picked up.

“Hey, did you get to the firm alright?” Maddison asked as if we were in the middle of a conversation.

“I got the job!” I blurted, barely able to contain my excitement.

She shrieked, and I had to hold the phone away from my ear, “No way! Are you kidding me right now? That’s ah-mazing. How did you do it?”

I laughed, still reeling from the interview and the fact that my new boss was the handsome stranger from the bookstore.

“Um, by attending the interview,” I said slowly. “Why would you ask that? Didn’t you believe it when you told me this morning I would get the job?”

“Of course, I believed it. I crossed my fingers and my toes for you,” Maddison said. I couldn't help laughing at her silly response, and I loved her for it. “I’m just so surprised you gotinto a top firm on your first try. You’re not kidding, right? ‘Cause if you are, I’m gonna have to spank you.”

“No, I’m not kidding. It’s the craziest thing, but I’ll tell you more about it when I see you back at the apartment.”

“I’m so happy for you. This is it—it’s all aligning, isn’t it?” Maddison said. I could hear the smile in her tone.

I nodded as if she could see me. “Yeah, it is,” I answered, eyes misting from emotion.

There was a rustling sound on the other end of the line, and Maddison mumbled something to one of her coworkers before addressing me. “I’ll bring home dinner to celebrate, okay? That’s just excellent! I’m so proud of you, Celia.”

“Ooo, bring spicy chicken, please. I’m craving something with a kick.”

“You got it. But just know I expect the same treatment when my big break comes, you hear?”

“Sure thing. Thanks, cous. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Finally, after dreaming of this place my whole life, I was here, and everything was falling into place. I had just landed a job, and slowly, I would piece together my dream life as a top New York lawyer with a circle of friends. A husband and kids would follow eventually, to make my parents and myself happy—but much later. After all the effort I’d put into becoming a lawyer and the work I planned to do here to become a sought-after Big Apple lawyer like Anton Waltons, family life would have to wait for several years.

Or I can do both.

Nah. Too complicated.

I was so happy. Getting this job was the beginning of my New York journey. For once, I was glad that I compulsively checked my emails.

With a skip in my step, I clutched my bag tightly and headed opposite to the subway a few blocks toward the stores. Since this job was at a high-class firm, I needed sophisticated work clothes. Things had been much more low-key in Texas. Here, I would have to dress to impress.

I walked hurriedly down the street, resisting the urge to skid, fist-pump the air, and do a victory dance. Pride swelled in my chest as I entered the first shop. My mother had been wrong. Love her as I did, she had never believed I could make it as a big-time lawyer. Well, I would prove to my parents, and to myself, that I belonged here.

Maddison was curled up on the couch when I finally stepped into the apartment, two shopping bags in hand. She stood up when she saw me, letting the tortilla-print blanket fall from around her shoulders.

“Aww, the Texan girl taking New York by storm!” she exclaimed, coming to meet me. We chuckled as we hugged.

“I still can’t believe it! I got my dream job less than twenty-four hours after moving here,” I exclaimed, shaking my head in disbelief.

“I know! Now, let’s see what you bought.” She grabbed my shopping bags and sank back to the couch, eager to look through my purchases.

I chuckled and hung my purse on the hook behind the door. Maddison was never one to stand on ceremony and had no reservation snooping.

“You’re supposed to be at work. Your shift didn’t end for another three hours when I called,” I said.

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