Page 14 of Art of Love
I didn’t know how much more I could take. My heart couldn’t take it. My soul couldn’t either.
“Fantastic, you’re both here.” John clapped his hands with delight.
Hunter made his way over to us and shook John’s outstretched hand.
“Hey, there,” Hunter said to him, and just like last night, his suave accent rippled through me. It was the kind I’d heard people referred to as theQueen’s English.The kind you’d expect from someone who went to a private school, or on an actor like Anthony Hopkins or Jude Law.
And like them, he carried himself with class and sophistication. Black suit that looked like Boss made it just for him, and that hair reminded me of Brad Pitt inLegends of the Fallagain. Today, it was sleek straight and had that damn shimmer to it that made it sparkle.
He looked to me, and I knew in that moment, my already crimson skin must have turned beetroot red.
“Hello,” he said to me, and something flickered in the depths of his eyes.
Something that made me forget my angst and horror.
“Hello.” I didn’t know where my voice came from, but there it was.
“Okay,” John stated in that tone which showed he must have taken note in our weird behavior with the staring and long pauses as we looked at each other.
If only he knew that just hours ago, I‘d been basically wrapped around this man with my naked body pressed against his, and only God knew what we must have gotten up to last night.
We both turned our attention to John. The tension in the room rose, and it made it difficult to breathe. Oh so difficult.
“Hunter, this is Jia Callahan. She used to work with the company a few years back. Jia, this is Hunter Kane, the guy who took my interest this year with his amazing talent, which I must say blew me away.”
Wow. I didn’t think I’d ever heard John say those words before. Hunter blew him away.
I’d never blown him away. I didn’t think anyone ever had. Looking at Hunter now, I could see the artist in him. It was the style he had. There was creativity to it.
“Great to meet you,” Hunter said to me.
I didn’t know how he could say that with such ease. “You too.”
To be polite, I gave him a quick glance as I answered, but I found it best to stare ahead. At John.
“Good. Now that introductions are done, let’s get down to business. Hunter, the other day I’d messaged to let you know this year’s trial period for the internship was going to be different.”
“You did.” Hunter nodded.
“Well, this is it. I figure it was fitting as you are both unique. This year is also unique in the sense that I will have two people competing for the same job.”
Hunter stilled when he heard that. Just like I had.
“A competition?” he asked, voice wavering.
“Yes, a competition. You are both very talented people I would love to work with, but there is only one position available. To qualify for that position and get the chance to work with me for the next three years, you’ll have to pass the tasks I’ve set for you over the next sixteen weeks. At the end of that time, I will notify you of the winner.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt or anything, but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to compete against someone who’s worked for you before.” Hunter looked agitated. As agitated as I felt.
Except I couldn’t form that many words. And if I tried, I knew I would say the wrong thing.
The whole idea was ridiculous. It was ridiculous because it was just sprung on us without warning.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. You will be required to find your own path. That is what I’m interested in. Your initiative, eagerness for the job, and your talent. You don’t need anything else.”
I wasn’t sure about that at all.
Something told me I wasn’t going to like this whole plan, not one bit.
