Page 5 of See Me

Dammit,I’m trying not to curse. And I just cursed again. It was in my head but still, that kind of stuff can pop out at any time. I can’t even think it. All it takes is one slip up and I’ll have twenty-seven freshmenoohingandaahingfor the rest of the year.

Focus. Breathe. Smile.

I find the door Bitchface Barmaid directed me to.

Okay, last time. She earned that one.

The door is open just a crack so I knock while peeking around at what little of the room I can see.

An audible groan and sigh followed by, “Yeah.”

I paint a smile on my face and slip in the door. Behind the desk is a very muscly, very angry looking man. Dark hair, dark eyes, and a scowl that stops me in my tracks. “Hi, I’m here for the interview.”

He glances in my direction once and then looks back at the papers on his desk. “No, you’re not.” When I don’t leave, he runs his hands over his face and lets out a groan. “Just because there’s a help wanted sign on the door doesn't mean you can just walk in and have an immediate interview. I know youyoung people think the world owes you something because you all grew up with your bullshit participation trophies, but I screen my applicants.”

I don’t even know what to say. My brain can’t think of a single word. My mouth opens and closes, my head whips around looking for someone, anyone, to explain my presence.

He rises out of his chair in slow motion behind the desk and leans forward on his knuckles. His eyes narrow and the effect is as he probably intended. I shrink back and white knuckle my purse strap. His face, while flexing in either annoyance or anger, is strikingly handsome. So much so that I find my feet planted and my head tilting to study him. He has dark wavy hair, clipped short on the sides. His body is toned and tanned and I can’t keep my eyes off the shirt stretching across his chest. His arms are covered in tattoos and I think I just licked my lips.

Did I? God, it’s been too long.

His face looks like he swallowed something bitter and he huffs out a sigh. He closes his eyes and drops his chin to his chest. He lowers himself to the chair and points to the door. “You can go now.”

“But, but I have an interview.”

Super convincing.

Just when I think he’s going to scream at me, he seems to lose his fire and digs his fingers into his temples. “No, you don’t. I have one interview today and it’s a guy. Like I said, you can go.”

I open my purse and root around for my date book. “Look, I even wrote it down.” Why am I even entertaining this asshole?

Dammit! He has me mind cursing again.

I don’t have anything to prove, except that I actually have an interview, but do I really want to work for this man? No, no I don’t. But I need money and this is the best I can do right now.

I pull out my book and rifle through the pages. When I glance up, his hands are fisted and his jaw is clenching.Looks like the fire is coming back. I find today's date and extend my arm to show him the notation, while still staying as far away as I possibly can.

He looks like he bites.

I hum as that thought has a different effect than I imagined it would.Biting, I mean I’ve never thought that sounded exciting and I’ve never tried it but maybe it could be—

The sound of his aggressive finger tapping on the desk snaps me back to reality. “Look just because you wrote it down in your pinkHello Kittycalendar doesn’t mean it’s real. It’s not the hope chest fromBack to the Futurewhere you write down what you want and wish for it to come true.”

“Wait, wait. There’s a lot you said that needs addressed. First, It'snotHello Kitty. Just because it’s pink and has kittens doesn’t automatically make itHello Kitty.” I roll my eyes. “I’m not a child. Second, I don’t know what a hope chest is or Back to… whatever you said, but if I wrote it down, it’s real. I’m extremely organized, and not at all entitled, by the way.” I wag my finger in the general direction of his face. “Let’s not brush past that one. Why don’t you look atyourcalendar and double check that I don’t have an interview today. And while we’re at it, what’s onyourcalendar? Free weights?” I gesture to his giant arms. “Or maybe giant boobs like Bimbo Barbie out there?”

I turn toward the door but not before I see his eyes widen. I’m guessing he doesn’t have many people talk to him like they aren't terrified of him. Which begs the question…what the hell am I doing?I need this job.

“Look, I don’t have time for this. My actual interview will be here any minute.”

I throw my hands up in the air. “Iamyour actual interview.”

He throwshis pen on the desk. “Fuck’s sake. No, you’re not. It’s Elliot. I’m waiting for Elliot.”

I smile and point to my face and wiggle my finger. “Elliot.”

He straightens in his chair. “Your name is Elliot?”

“Yes, the first of many disappointments I’ve bestowed upon my parents. But that’s neither here nor there.”

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