Page 102 of When Fate Breaks
I mentally smack myself in the forehead with my palm. Please explain how I can manage to flawlessly deliver an hour long presentation in front of a group of twenty people but, one-on-one, I lose the ability to speak.
Jesus, Annie. Get it together.
Apparently possible, Margaret’s eyebrows raise slightly higher. “Of course you do, darling. But really, you’ve got it.”
“It, ma’am?”
“Yes. The drive. The vision. Not everybody does, but you certainly do. I can see you going somewhere in this field.” My heart slams painfully against my ribcage. “In this company.”
And I think that my heart just burst from my chest. “I–Wow. Thank you, ma’am. I really appreciate it. Especially coming from you, of course.”
“Of course.” Margarets says, her lips pulling up at the sides. “Well, I’d like to offer you something. If you’re interested.”
A job? I think I nod because Margaret continues.
“New York City.”
Tears threaten to fill my eyes, but I push them down. Oh my God. Not just a job.Thejob.
“Yes,” I say.
Of course, yes. A million times, yes.With a few weeks still left in the internship, I never would have expected them to make decisions this soon. This is crazy.
“There’s a conference. The biggest marketing conference in the country.”
My face falls.Oh.What?
“Briar & Brooks attends every year. Several of our top executives, including myself, will be presenting to thousands of attendees. I’d like for you to join us.”
“Oh.”Me? Was this her way of giving me the top intern position without officially saying it yet? Either way, this was beyond exciting.New York freaking City.I would never turn that down. My heart swells at the thought that I could be moving there in just a few short months. I wonder if this conference is a sort of test run?
“Interns from all twelve of our branches have been chosen to attend.”
Oh?
“I’ve invited Matthew Hollis and Evelyn Marshall to go as well.”
My breath catches in my throat, my forehead suddenly feeling very warm and a wave of nausea rolling through my stomach.
Oh.
“Matthew and Evelyn?” I repeat.
“Yes. I think the three of you show the most potential and could certainly represent the company well if given the chance. Would you say you’re up for it, Ms. Jacks?”
I grip the table for support.
I think the three of you show the most potential.
This isn’t a test run.
It’s a competition.
Matthew may have been pining after me all summer, but that fact wouldn’t stand in the way of his career goals. Matthew is smart. He takes initiative. And he could charm the pants off of just about anyone.
Anyone but you, I can hear Riya saying in my mind.
Evelyn, on the other hand… Yeah. She’d have absolutely zero qualms about going against me. I’m pretty sure she daydreams about opportunities to destroy me on an hourly basis. I don’t feel as threatened by her skillswise as I do Matthew, but she definitely has me beat in the organization and polished image departments.
