“Hello?” I try to sound as professional as possible in my greeting.
“Yes, can I please speak to Logan?” The polite voice comes through the line. I fight to keep my voice steady and the excitement clamped down.
“This is Logan.” I manage to not squeal into the phone.
“Logan, my name is Cassidy. I’m calling from Stone Records. You applied for a position with our organization.”
Holy shit! Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I reply, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Excellent. Mr. Jones reviewed your resume and asked that I call and offer you the position. You will be working as a personal assistant.” She continues to explain details of benefits and salary, which is a hell of a lot more than I ever would have expected. Is this really happening? Hired without an interview? “The position is salaried and often requires long hours and travel. What do you say, Ms. Andrews?”
I say, holy fucking shit, Batman! “Yes, thank you. That sounds wonderful,” I say instead.
“Excellent, we would like for you to start as soon as possible,” she gets right back to business.
“I’m actually flying out for a week’s vacation tomorrow. I’m available the following week,” I explain. I can’t believe this is happening. She just hired me without ever laying eyes on me.
I’m stunned.
“That will be fine. I’ll courier over the address of where you and I will meet that Monday morning at, say, ten? I will include your contract, benefits, and salary breakdown in the packet, as well. I look forward to meeting you, Ms. Andrews.”
“Logan, please. Thank you, I look forward to meeting you, as well.” I hear the click over the line, and just like that, the call has ended and I’m no longer unemployed.
Gripping my phone in my hand, I squeal as loud as I can before running out of my room heading for Stacy’s. “Stacy!” I push open her bedroom door, not caring about invading her privacy; we’re best friends after all. She’s walking toward the door, I’m sure to see what the hell I’m screeching about.
I raise my phone. “I just got a call.” I can feel the grin splitting my face. “Stone Records just hired me over the damn phone. No interview needed. I start the Monday after we come back from our trip.” I squeal again, causing her to cringe.
“I told you,” she says, throwing her arms around my shoulders in a hug. “That’s so freaking awesome. You’re going to kill it.”
This causes me to laugh. “You don’t even know what I’m going to be doing,” I remind her.
“Doesn’t matter.” She shakes her head. “I know you, and you don’t do anything halfway. You’re going to dazzle them with your skills.”
“Okaaayyy. Well, I’m going to be a personal assistant. She mentioned a Mr. Jones, who I’ll be working for.”
“You’ll have him eating out of the palm of your hand.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. I honestly have no idea what I’m getting myself into, but I’m ecstatic.”
“Just think, this time tomorrow, we’ll be stretched out on the beach soaking up the rays. Our freedom is almost over,” she whines.
“Speaking of, I need to finish packing. Are you done?” I survey her tornado of a room. I don’t know how she finds anything in here. I’m just glad she’s not this messy in the rest of our apartment.
“Almost, your screams kind of sidetracked me.” She winks.
“Hey!” I protest. This causes her to laugh. “As I recall, you were cheering right along with me.”
“Hell yeah I was. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. I’m nervous, but excited. I’m finally gainfully employed.”
“You got this. Now off with you.” She waves her hand toward the door. “I have to finish packing.”
I salute her order and head back to my room. I rush through my packing so I can call my parents and give them the news. They’re happy for me, yet disappointed. I think they were hoping I would get a job in Ohio. I’m still only a five-hour drive away, but they would prefer five minutes. Mom cried for days when I left for college, and Dad called more times than I can count, asking if I decided to come home yet. I love my parents; I got super lucky in that department. My little brother chose to stay closer to home. He’ll be going to college in Ohio, just a two-hour drive from my parents. This made them happy.
“Honey, we’re so proud of you,” Mom says. “I wish you were coming home, but I understand.”
“I know, Mom.” We’ve been through this before. No point in hashing it out yet again.
“All right, you girls have a safe trip and enjoy yourself. Call us when you get there, so we know you’re safe,” she tells me.
“I will. Tell Dad and Jase I said hi. Love you.”
Lying back on the bed, I close my eyes and take a minute to let it sink in. I have a job, and was hired over the phone, no interview. I’m still shocked, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? I need some luck in my life. It’s time to move forward and do me, focus on my career. Happily ever after just isn’t in the cards for me.
Chapter 3
Logan
“This place is amazing,” Stacy says.
We just arrived at the beach house. It’s decorated with a beach theme, seashells and a mixture of nautical knickknacks. It has a cottage feel to it, and it’s absolutely breathtaking. Stacy and I dropped our bags as soon as we walked through the door. Like kids in a toy store, we run from room to room to examine our accommodations for the next seven days.
“Logan! You have to see this view,” Stacy yells from the back of the house.
I follow her voice and find myself standing in front of a double set of French doors, which lead to a huge multi-level deck. Stacy is leaning against the upper-level railing, staring out at the ocean. I join her, propping my elbows on the railing. Closing my eyes, I tilt my head back, allowing the feel of the hot sun to beat down on me while the gentle ocean breeze washes over me.
“This place is heaven on earth,” Stacy says wistfully.
I couldn’t agree more.
I feel an elbow dig into my side, which puts a damper on my Zen moment. “What the hell, Stace?” I ask her, irritated.
She grins and motions her head to the beach. Walking down the beach headed toward us is a whole lot of hotness. Neither one of us bother pretending like we don’t see him; instead, we soak up every inch of him, until he stops beneath us.
“Ladies,” he purrs. His face lights up, showing a blinding white smile.
“Hey,” we say in unison. Smooth, I know.
“I’m staying just down the beach.” He points over his shoulder to the only other house within a mile on this private section of real estate.
“Great! We just got here a few minutes ago. We’ll be here for the next week. I’m Lynn, and this is my friend Paige,” she introduces us using our middle names.
I raise my eyebrows in question and she responds with a grin. I can’t ask her in front of Mr. Hotness, but I’m dying to know what her game is?
“It’s a pleasure,” he says in his deep, smooth voice. “I’m Michael.” He raises his hand to wave. “You need help with your luggage?” he offers.