“Good morning, Mr. Mason,” Kelly says from her perch at the large black marble desk that faces the elevator. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, thank you, Kelly.” I nod to the other two women standing at her desk. I also ignore the hearts in their eyes. “Hold my calls, please.”
“Of course, sir,” Kelly says.
I hit the button on the elevator and try not to acknowledge the weight of their eyes on me. As soon as the doors open, I step inside and punch the floor for human resources.
My stomach growls again as I descend to the fourth floor.
The doors pull apart, and I step into the lobby. Genevieve smiles brightly from the front desk.
“Hello, Mr. Mason,” she says.
“Is Toni in her office?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Thanks.”
My coffee sloshing in the cup, I head down a long hallway to the right. Offices pass on my right, and two large conference rooms are on my left. As I pass the second one, my feet falter.
I step closer to the half-closed blinds and peer inside the room.
My body knows what, or whom, I see before my brain registers it.
I draw in a quick, heated breath as goose bumps prickle my skin. My stomach knots. My heartbeat picks up in to a frenzied pace.
Sitting at the table is her. Shaye.
I shift my weight from one foot to the other.
Her chestnut-colored hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders instead of the messy bun she wore yesterday. Her lips are a pretty pink. From this angle, her cheekbones look wildly high and the apples of her cheeks round and rosy.
She focuses on a piece of paper in front of her.
What is she doing here?
“Mr. Mason?” Toni’s voice says from somewhere to my right. It snaps me back to reality. “Can I help you? Genevieve said you were on your way back to see me.”
Shaye moves, her head beginning to turn to face me. I step away from the window toward Toni.
“Is that where you’re holding interviews?” I ask, jamming a thumb toward the conference room behind me.
“Yes.”
A hot swallow passes down my throat and drops into an acidy stomach.
My mind races, calculating possibilities that this woman would randomly show up in my life twice in as many days.
Surely, that’s a harbinger. Hopefully, a good one.
I ignore the scream in my brain that’s as loud as my squeaky chair—the one telling me that I know better than to do what I’m about to do, that it’s against every rule I’ve ever made about work—and do it anyway.
Five
Shaye
“Calm down,” I whisper, chastising myself.
My insides bubble as I try to ignore the hum of energy coursing through my body. I take a long, deep breath and blow it out in the steadiest exhale I can muster.
Am I anxious? Is it the anticipation of the interview that’s getting to me? Is it the desperation? Regardless, waiting for Toni Brooks to arrive is getting to me.
The paper handed to me by the sweet receptionist sits in front of me. It lists the job duties of the executive assistant role, the hours required, and a salary window that’s dependent upon experience.
It all looks great. The experience is an easy checkoff. I’d work twelve-hour days at this point if they needed me to. And the salary? I’d work happily for half of what they’re offering.
This job appears to be everything I’ve hoped to find. I just have to convince Ms. Brooks that I’m the person they need.
The sound of the door opening catches my attention.
“Good morning, Ms. Brewer.” A woman dressed in a crisp white button-down tucked into a neat black pencil skirt walks toward me. “I’m Toni Brooks.”
I push my chair back and stand. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for the opportunity to interview with you.”
She shakes my hand and then sits across from me. I, too, take my seat.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” she says, setting a folder down and then clasping her hands together on top of it. “I had an impromptu meeting a few moments ago, and it put me a touch behind schedule.”
She presses her lips as if she’s trying to hide a smile.
“Of course,” I say, speaking slowly so I don’t ramble.
“Tell me a little bit about yourself.”
I clear my throat. “I worked as an EA for five years, most recently for Monroe Companies here in Savannah. I managed the schedules and communications for the CEO, as well as coordinated travel, assisted in various special projects, and prepared information for meetings with staff.”
Toni smiles.
“I’m a good communicator, can juggle multiple tasks at once, and I’m discreet and professional. Always,” I say, straightening my posture. “I take pride in my work and approach all projects with enthusiasm and optimism.”
A bead of sweat trickles down my spine. I hope I wore deodorant.
Toni nods. “That’s great. Now tell me a little about you, Ms. Brewer.”