“It’s at one o’clock, and I want to make an impression. It’s an internship position for Ahz. I’ll work with their event planner.”
“You know, Kat, I’m familiar with both owners. I can put a good word in for you.” Her head rests on her arm, which stretches across the table. I know this girl, and she’ll need another cup before she’s any use.
“No, I want to do this by myself. I could call Damon, but I won’t because it’s important to earn my successes. Besides, I’m trying to avoid him. Let me tell you the latest.” I top off her cup and sit across the table from her. “He bought Bound, and he’s reading it.” I pause for dramatic effect. “He texted me last night so we could discuss it. It’s as if we were in our own private book club. We texted about bondage and vibrators.”
Em stares at me with a look of confusion on her face, then bursts out laughing. “I don’t know what’s funnier, you talking about vibrators, or Damon reading an erotica novel. I have to give that some thought.” Sipping her coffee, she adds, “At least the conversation is happening via text. Could you imagine having dinner face to face and talking about the latest Rabbit that hit the market as you ask him to pass the bread?”
I hadn’t given it much thought, but Em is right. Texting allows us to be honest and bold with our answers. As open as I am, I’d never have had that conversation in person.
As if talking about him summoned a text from him, the familiar beep of my phone redirects my thoughts.
Only read to page 125. I’ll call you at seven o’clock tonight to get your thoughts.
Damon
I ignore his text and focus on my upcoming interview. Em drags me to my room, where she chooses a fashionable but conservative-looking skirt, a silk blouse, and low-heeled pumps. She advises me to wear my hair down, explaining that if I wear a ponytail, I may look too young, and if I pull my hair up into a bun, I may look too haughty. I trust her because she has never steered me wrong.
I stand in front of her for her final approval.
“I’d hire you,” she says with a wink.
Reaching forward, I give her a big hug and a smooch on her cheek before I dash out to my car.
The forty-minute drive to Noble Enterprise seems like seconds. Once inside, I’m directed to the fifth floor, where I check in with the secretary. Within minutes, I’m led into a large office where Ms. Fields stands up from her desk to greet me before offering me a seat.
She shuffles a few papers sitting haphazardly on top until she finds the one she’s looking for.
“I see you are in your last semester at UCLA, studying hospitality management. Looking at your schedule, it appears you are available Mondays and Fridays any time and Tuesday through Thursday in the afternoons. Is that correct?” she asks.
Della Fields looks to be in her early forties with brown hair that’s pulled into a severe knot at the back of her neck. The style mixed with her black and white suit gives her an air of authority. If the quality of her clothes is any indication, Damon pays his people well.
“Yes, that’s right, although I’ll graduate soon.”
“Why Noble Enterprises?” she asks.
“Honestly, Ms. Fields, I’m looking for a chance to get a little experience in my field of study. A friend told me about the job opening, and I applied. Ahz is the perfect opportunity for me to use my education and learn from a seasoned professional.”
“Why should I choose you?” Della questions.
“There’s no reason for you not to choose me. I’m motivated, educated, and ready to work. I’ll give you one hundred percent every day.”
She sits back and twirls the pen in her fingers. “I’d like you to meet our event planner. His name is Trevor Thornton.”
Ms. Fields presses the intercom button and asks the receptionist to have Trevor come down to her office. A moment later, a tall man with wavy brown hair walks inside. “Trevor, this is Ms. Cross. She’s applying for the intern position.”
He offers his hand to shake before he greets me. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Cross. Ahz is a unique challenge for us. It’s the first time we’ll combine two concepts. What do you bring to the table that other applicants don’t?”
“That’s a good question, and my best answer is I bring an open mind with no preconceived notions of what the job should be or what the final project should look like. I hope to learn from you. I’ll adopt your vision and strive to help you accomplish your goal.” Happy with my answer, I take a breath and wait for a response.
Ms. Fields and Trevor exchange looks. A hint of a smirk lifts his lips.
“Thank you for coming in today. You’re our final applicant. Give us time to compare notes, and we’ll get back to you. The candidate we choose will be expected to start immediately. Is that an issue?”
“I could start today if you needed me.”
“We’ll let you know.” Ms. Fields closes the door behind me, and I let out a whoosh of air.
Wow. That was an interesting interview. It was direct and to the point.
I exit the office and see a familiar silver Mustang parked in the spot closest to the elevator. I didn’t see it on my way in, but I was focused on the interview. Seeing the sports car makes me think of Damon and the night he took me for Italian food.
I wish things could have turned out differently.
Em accosts me as soon as I get home. “Tell me about the interview. How did it go?” I think she’s more excited than I am. Or maybe, she’s had too much coffee.
I toss my keys and purse on the table near the door and collapse on the couch. “It went well. I met the event planner. His name is Trevor. He seems like an experienced guy, and it would be great to learn from him. He’s done an exceptional job marketing Zenith under Noble Enterprises.”
“When will you know?” She prods me for additional information.
“I hope within the next day, but who knows. I have to wait and see, I guess. Let’s celebrate anyway. What about tacos?”
She rolls her shoulders forward and frowns. “I can’t. Anthony is picking me up. He’s cooking me dinner at his house.”
“Gosh, Em, it sounds like things are getting serious, fast.”
“Yeah, I guess, but we are so compatible. It’s pure magic.”
“I’m thrilled for you. I’ve never seen you look so happy.”
“Oh, Kat, I feel like I’m walking around in a dream that I never want to wake up from.”
Anthony picks Emma up at five, leaving me on my own for the night. I have a texting date with Damon at seven that I’m looking forward to.
Too lazy to go out for tacos on my own, I change into my old comfy jeans and make myself a bowl of instant macaroni and cheese, then curl up on the couch to read.
Turning to my earmarked page, I try to catch up, hoping to get to page 125 before he texts. I’m lost in the book when my phone rings.
“Hello,” I say.
“Hello, Katarina. This is Della from Noble Enterprises.”
Oh, my God, my heart beats as fast as a hummingbird’s wings. “Ms. Fields. How are you?”
“I’m well. I’m calling to offer you the internship. Can you start tomorrow after your classes? Your first day will be all paperwork. You’ll start work with Trevor on Friday.”