All things, on any given day, I took complete advantage of to seal a deal.
Today, on the corner of the street, I noticed a sidewalk café, and regretted that I didn’t have time to grab a cup of coffee for Liv and myself. I was running a little late, since I wasn’t used to the traffic in this part of the city.
I crossed the street and approached Holt, and glanced up at the high-rise, taking in the dark glass that sheathed the entire building and the huge silver letters on one side that read Holt Enterprises. A building this nice gave the impression that important people worked here.
It was a lot to take in at once, as was the fact that I now worked here.
I drew in a deep breath for strength, focused myself, and passed through the main doors. The foyer was open all the way to the top and had balconies on each floor. I headed toward the security guard to introduce myself, but before I could get there, Anderson intercepted me.
“I’m pleased you showed up,” he said.
I didn’t bother trying to hide my smile. “You thought I wouldn’t?”
“It was fifty-fifty.” Anderson turned to the security guard, sitting at the large black desk with computer monitors in front of him. “Allie Bennett is a new employee at Holt. I’ll take her up.”
The security guard nodded at Anderson, and then said to me, “Carry your identification with you at all times. It’s an annoying process if you forget it.”
“Got it,” I replied, and then followed Anderson.
The security was a tad ridiculous. It wasn’t like Holt was holding secrets. They were selling real estate. Was all the security really necessary? I stayed close behind Anderson, taking in the sheer luxury of the building. By far, it was one of the nicest buildings I’d seen in San Francisco.
Once Anderson reached the elevator, he waved me inside. “I’ve got your office all set up for you, and your assistant’s as well. Liv arrived about twenty minutes ago.”
“Perfect,” I replied, stepping beside him. “Thank you.”
The doors shut and the elevator whizzed up to the sixtieth floor. The fact that there were sixty-one floors noted on the elevator panel told me that Micah and his group of yes-men were likely housed on the top floor.
When the doors chimed open, I faced a huge reception area with three receptionists working at the front desk. “Jeez, this place is something, isn’t it?” I remarked.
Anderson nodded, gesturing me out of the elevator. “It’s impressive.”
Impressive was an understatement. Each office had glass walls and fancy glass desks, with Mac computers on every one. We passed by the receptionists, who were busy on the phones, and I followed Anderson down the long hallway. That’s when I spotted Liv sitting at a desk right outside of an office.
She rose, smiling at me. “Dude! We are in real estate heaven.”
“No kidding,” I agreed.
“Your office is right in here,” Anderson said, turning into the office on his left.
I followed him in and my mouth dropped open. From ceiling to floor, windows made up the back wall of the room, giving a stunning view of San Francisco’s Financial District. I felt like I’d walked into my brother’s office—and he was a billionaire.
Instant embarrassment flooded me, and I turned to Anderson. “I’ve changed my mind.”
Anderson’s brows winged up, arms folded. “About what exactly?”
“About the office.”
He frowned, eyeing me with obvious confusion. “This is one of the best offices on this floor because of the view. The only other person who has this view is Micah, and he is above us. I can’t give you anything better.”
“I don’t want better,” I retorted, hating myself right now. “I want smaller.”
“Are you nuts?” Liv exclaimed, smacking my arm, horror crossing her face. “This office is perfect.”
“No, I’m not nuts,” I said to her, then added to Anderson, “This is way too much for me.” I waved my hands around the lavish office, feeling ridiculous that I’d implied I deserved—or needed—such treatment. “Something smaller will do just fine.”
“This used to be one of our meeting rooms, and I’m afraid that Micah requested that I make it your office,” Anderson said very matter-of-factly. “It’s a done deal.”
I felt like I was stuck between a rock and Micah Holt. I had asked for this. And I didn’t want to seem ungrateful either, or difficult. “So I’m stuck here?”