We hung up and I managed to find two more acceptable choices from my limited wardrobe and dug out two pairs of heels I had, both scuffed and worn, but hopefully people didn’t spend too much time looking at my feet.
A knock hit the door and I hurried to it.
Hopefully Angie found picking out clothes as much fun as accounting. Otherwise, I was screwed.
26
Lilly
I woke with a buzz in my stomach, reminiscent of a swarm of bumblebees.
I start a new job today.
The reality did nothing to lessen my nerves. I spent extra time on my hair and makeup. Anything to make a good impression on those I would meet, especially Brandon’s assistant, Sandra, who I hadn’t met when I did the world’s fastest interview.
Brandon mentioned how much he appreciated her work and how organized she was, treating his schedule like a Bible. But I was only going to be there three days a week. She’d probably have me typing letters or working on filing and other basic essentials like printing proposals or something mundane so she could do the real tasks.
Regardless, I was feeling pretty good about myself as I slipped into a pair of wide-leg black dress pants and a coral dress shirt. It was a wrap top, several years out of style, but shockingly, I’d found it at Goodwill with Ann Taylor’s price tags still on it and got it for a steal for five dollars. It was one of the nicest pieces of clothing I had.
Angie had even dug through my cupboards, found olive oil. She scrubbed my scuffed black heels with baking soda and then shined them with olive oil. “A trick Mom taught me,” she’d said, handing me shiny shoes that looked almost brand new.
Now, all I had to was remember how to walk on the short heels and not break my ankle on the walk to Valor Holdings, and I was ready.
If I didn’t throw up.
I settled a hand on my stomach and took several deep breaths.
“You can do this. It’s a simple job you probably could have handled when you were sixteen. Nothing to be nervous about at all.”
The pep talk settled my stomach but not my nerves, but I’d run out of time to procrastinate.
With that, I tossed lip balm into my purse, poured myself a travel mug of coffee, and grabbed my keys.
In the elevator, I tapped my foot, impatient to get the day started. Hopefully I’d stop feeling like I was going to puke at some point today. The doors opened on the second floor, making my trek feel a thousand times longer. I almost groaned from the disappointment when Samaya and her kids hurried in.
“Good morning,” Samaya said. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you. Good morning to you too, and you too, Amala and Yasmine.”
Amala grinned up at me. She was the hell-raiser Samaya referred to in front of Hudson. “Morning!”
Yasmine was always quieter. Not shy. I figured her for a thinker and people-watcher.
I grinned down at them, their book bags draped over their shoulders and their knit caps pulled tight over their ears.
I’d forgotten gloves, and it was getting cold. My hands would be ice cubes by the time I got to work and need a half hour of thawing before I could do anything.
Shoot.
“Headed to school and work?”
“Yes.” Samaya fixed Yasmine’s coat. “This new place is wonderful, but it’s farther to get to their school. I think, technically, we’re now supposed to go to a new one, but I haven’t let them know yet. And since it’s temporary, I don’t want to let the school know in case.”
I mimed locking my lips with a key. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“And you don’t usually dress this nice for classes.”
“I start a new job today.” My grin wobbled.
Samaya’s didn’t. Hers was large and genuine, showing off bright white teeth behind her brown lips. “Congratulations! That’s wonderful news. Better than that late shift at the diner, isn’t it?”
“Let’s hope.” I crossed my fingers and she laughed, shaking her head. “Although really, you don’t have to reach far to get better than that.”
The doors opened and I waited until she shuffled the kids toward the corner so I could head out on the main floor. “Well, have a good day. Have fun at school you two.”
“School is boring,” Yasmine grumbled.
“No, it’s not! It’s awesome!” Amala shouted.
“I agree. School is the best.” I high-fived her.
“Good luck!” Samaya sang as the doors started closing. Her kids shouting the same were cut in half by the doors closing, and I turned to head toward the front door and walked right into a wall.
“Oomph.”
“In a hurry?”
My wall was dressed in a dark gray suit with a white shirt and a deep, blood-red tie. It also hung on the frame of Hudson’s body who was looking down at me, grinning while he gripped my arms and placed me one step away from him.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Sure. Fine. You’re also lucky you didn’t end up wearing my drink.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time it happened in my life.” He smirked. “So, you’re not nervous at all about today?”
Terrified. Just him asking about it made my pulse skitter out of control. “Psssh. No. Why would I be?”
He looked delicious and all the parts of me that really liked our kiss the other night wanted another go-around. You know. Research. It couldn’t have been quite as good as I remembered it.
More testing was necessary.
Except… this was the first I’d seen or heard from him.
“No reason at all.”
“What are you doing here?” I brought my coffee cup to my mouth. His truck was in the garage. I’d never run into him in the lobby before.
“Thought I’d walk to work with you today. If that’s okay?”
He could easily offer to drive me. He probably drove every day. But he was meeting me where I was at.
He was a constant source of surprise. The lingering concern I had about not seeing him since Sunday dimmed as he gestured for me to walk with him. Maybe he really was busy.
“You could have stopped by my place and asked.”
“I could have. But I didn’t want to make you feel like you had to hurry if you knew I was waiting.”
“You could have called. Or texted.”
“Ah. But you haven’t offered me your number yet.”
“Oh.” Maybe that explained some of his silence too. I wanted to slap myself in the forehead for forgetting that. “Would you like it?”
“Yes.” He said it so seriously, I glanced at him. “I’ve wanted it. And I could have looked at your application to get it, but I’ve been waiting for you to give it to me. Instead of taking it.”
“Oh. Well, then.” Heat singed my cheeks as I dug into my purse for my phone.
He looked at it like he’d discovered a fossil, and I laughed. “I know. It’s a really old iPhone, but it works. I swear.”
“I’m sure it does.” He stopped before we reached the exit doors to the building. Typed in his number. Sent himself a text. “There. Now you have mine.”
I had a way to contact him whenever I wanted.