I smooth my hands down my skirt, trying to keep them from shaking, or worse, sweating. My head whips back and forth for a second, terrified that someone’s witnessing me verging on a panic attack.
I should just go.I shouldn’t be here, this is obviously not the job for me.
The thought is repetitive, like the blinking glow of a lighthouse on the shore during a storm.
I step toward the door when I hear a man’s voice behind me.
“Hey, are you here for the interview?”
I turn and see a guy standing there with short blonde hair and a relaxed, easy smile. He’s probably about my age. He’s got this casual confidence about him, like he belongs here, like he’s used to places like this. I also can’t help but notice how good-looking he is, and my eyes fall to his left hand, where I spot a gleaming wedding ring reflecting in the sun.
Figures, he’s too gorgeous to be single.
“Uh, yeah,” I say sheepishly, trying to quiet the nerves that have bubbled up from standing around aimlessly. “My name is Tasha Daniels. I’m here about the receptionist position. I was told to arrive at nine.”
“Great. I’m Josh, by the way.” He extends a hand and we shake.
I feel a smile stretch across my lips. “Nice to meet you, Josh.”
“Follow me,” he says, gesturing with his left hand for me to come with him. Relief washes over me as we walk, and I laugh at myself, realizing that I was a mere half second from losing this chance.
Even if I don’t feel like I belong here, I still need to give it my all.
Then if they don’t want me, it’s their loss.
Not me throwing away an opportunity.
I fall in step beside him, grateful that someone knows what’s going on, even if I don’t. Walking together across the lobby, past that imposing sculpture, he leads me to the glossy, golden elevator. He touches the black button, an upward carrot illuminated in gold.
The doors open instantly. He gestures with his hand, and as we step inside. Suddenly, I'm surrounded by marble and mirrors that gleam under the soft overhead light. Everything here enhances the modern aesthetic of the office.
He leans against the wall and glances at me, like he’s sizing me up. “Sorry there wasn’t anyone at the reception desk to greet you. That’s not the way we want to present ourselves to a potential new employee. My dad’s running the interviews up in his office. Our temporary receptionist must have walked away.”
I blink, surprised.
His dad?
It takes a moment for it all to click, and then I realize Josh must be Brody Thorne’s son.
I try to act normal, but it’s like my stomach does a flip. I nod at him, smiling again. I don’t want to convey that I didn’t know that he and his father ran this business together. It’s not a good look to go into a job interview with zero understanding of the company.
The elevator dings, and we step out onto a floor that’s all glass walls and sleek surfaces. Sunlight pours in through expansive windows, illuminating the open space and creating a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
And then I see him: Brody Thorne.
He’s standing by his office door, looking down at something on his phone. I thought Josh was handsome, but his dad...his dad is even more striking.
He has broad shoulders, golden hair with a hint of silver that adds to his rugged charm, and sharp, maple eyes that glitter gold in the light.
My eyes trail to his left hand beneath his phone.
No wedding ring in sight.
Don’t mess this up, Tasha. You can do this if you try your best.
I pull back, straightening my posture, trying to look more confident than I actually feel.
I can’t afford to fuck this up, even if the only distraction I’m suffering from is how gorgeous my new bosses will be and whether they’re single or not.