I grabbed my keys and headed out of the room, spinning them around my finger. Celia was headed towards the stairs in a loose purple sundress and she glanced up, pausing as her mouth formed an O. “You look nice.” She said as she looked me over slowly. My skin burned as her eyes slowly slid over me, undressing me in my mind. “Job interview?”
“Yeah,” I replied. My mind was blank from the sight of her.
“Good luck.” She moved to walk in front of me and I watched her for a second before I jogged after her.
Mom was reading on the couch and stood up. “You look fantastic, Remy. You’re a shoe-in for this job.” She came to hug me, kissing my cheek as I smiled.
“Thanks, Mom,” I said as she smiled up at me. She wasn’t as vocal as Brinley about her disapproval of my lifestyle, but I could see it in her eyes. “It’s going to be good.” She didn’t know the details about the fight in Seattle with my former boss or my fear that he may have blacklisted me in the industry. I also never expected to walk in on him balls deep inside of my girlfriend.
“I’ll make dinner, so we can celebrate.” She smiled, and I nodded before heading to the door. I heard laughter through the screen leading to the deck but chose not to look over. Celia was too distracting for me and the words of my fight with my sister were still fresh in my mind. I got into my car and started the engine, taking a deep breath.
I made my way to the office centered in the city, parking in the garage and slipping my ticket into my interior pocket. I walked to the sidewalk and looked to the right before heading towards the glass building. I missed Seattle sometimes and the way I could walk along the water when I needed to think. San Diego was beautiful, but it reminded me of the days that I’d raise hell with Jessie. I blinked and headed across the courtyard and inside. I walked to the bank of elevators and pushed the button for the sixth floor, breathing in softly.
I stepped from the car and walked towards the large reception desk where two women sat manning phones and computers. They were as flawless as the marble floors and spotless windows and I looked down at the blonde. “Good morning. I have an interview with Mr. Stanley at ten.”
She searched the screen of her jumbo monitor and nodded. “Remington Parker.”
“That’s me,” I said as she shot me a fleeting appreciative look.
“His office is to the end of this hallway.” She pointed right, and I glanced over to see that it curved. “He has an assistant seated outside and she’ll let him know that you’re here.”
“Thank you,” I told her before I moved towards my future. I saw a redhead sitting at a similar desk and she glanced at me with a small smile.
“You must be Remington.” She told me with a bright smile.
“I am.” The woman introduced herself as Heather and told me that she would alert Rick that I was there. She offered me something to drink before she called him, and I shook my head, thanking her. It was clear that she would be up for lunch after this interview, but I wasn’t interested. I was still dealing with the aftermath of the other night. I walked to a small couch and sat down, waiting for the go ahead to walk into the apparently large office.
Heather told me to go on in and I stood, pressing my hands down my jacket before I stepped inside. The office was spacious and offered an amazing view of the city and far away ocean. I looked at the older man with graying brown cropped hair, walking over to shake his hand. “Mr. Parker. It’s good to meet you.” He looked into my eyes with a smile and gestured for me to sit down. I took a seat in one of the comfortable chairs across from his desk and he settled into his huge chair. He glanced down at the paper in front of me that I assumed was my resume and cleared his throat.
The question came up about Ian and I wondered how to answer for a moment before saying that we had a difference of opinion and I decided to move here earlier. I was coming back at some point as it was. Rick nodded, and we moved on to my experience and passion for my job. I left with a good feeling and a promise that I’d hear from him soon along with another firm handshake.
I headed back to the street and looked back and forth for a moment. I was here and might as well grab lunch. I slipped my jacket off and folded it over my arm, decided to go to a little Italian place on the corner.