Billion Dollar Mistake: An opposites attract billionaire romance: (The Lincolns Book 1)

Chapter 3

I plaster a smile even though my skin is crawling. If I wasn’t desperate for a good-paying job to help my parents, I wouldn’t be sitting here at this job interview. But all the other interviewers ended up passing on me for a more experienced person. So this interview is very important. I need to get this last job.

Scratch that…I have to get this job.

Being able to work for a company that is within the health industry was important to me. So when this job opportunity came up, I felt a strong connection to their goals and my dad.

Bentley isn’t interested in what I have to say as much as he enjoys running his gaze over me. I shuffle in my seat, trying to get comfortable even though I can’t. Not in his presence. Not with his heavy gaze admiring me. Could I work like this?

I wouldn’t be working directly under him. I’d just be working for his company. And right now, with the medical bills my parents are racking up, we are desperate for this kind of break.

So, no matter how slowly his eyes slide over my body, I picture my dad and mom. Imagining their happy faces helps.

“I’m still in shock, Miss Lee,” he says with a slight drool.

“Why’s that?”

“Beautiful and smart. I’m surprised you haven’t been snatched up already.”

By the tone of his voice, I know he means in a relationship, but I want to keep this talk strictly business related. There’ll be no other relationship between us.

“To be honest. Your company is the best in New York. And it’s offering the best package.”

He leans forward in his office chair, his hand running over his chin. “I think I should be worried you’re only here for the money, but I”m not. If that’s how I get you here then I’ll take it.”

I lace my fingers together, wondering how much longer I’ll have to be here. It’s already been a long twenty minutes.

“Are you saying I’ve got the job?”

Please say yes.

“I should be interviewing more candidates…”

“But you won’t.” I lift a brow at him. I’m barely holding back a beaming smile.

His lips pinch together before he shakes his head. “Seems like I can’t say no to you.”

I don’t believe anything he’s saying, but if my looks win me this job, I’m alright with that.

“Which floor would I be working on?” I ask.

“Let me give you a tour.”

That I like the sound of. But I don’t want him to realize how excited I am so I tone down my response. “Okay.”

He stands and moves beside me. His hand gestures for me to go first, even though I have no clue where I’m going.

We enter the elevator and I’m quick to stand on the opposite side. He presses level ten, and it doesn’t take long til we’re there. Exiting the elevator, I take in the open floor. I’m able to see all the workers behind their desks typing away and working hard.

I’m quiet as I absorb everything around me. I get a few looks as we pass by. He pauses at an empty desk.

I peer at him.

“This would be yours,” he says with a smirk.

My gaze flicks back to the space. Not too small and not too large with everything I could possibly need and more. All the latest technology, pens, paper, files, folders, and a calculator. Accountant heaven.

“Our current accountant is on maternity leave, so the job is temporary, but I’m sure once she returns I can find another position for you. I wouldn’t want you working anywhere else.”

The way he speaks it’s as if he owns me. I wonder if he is serious…I wonder if he means he wants me or if he’s still talking about the job. I would never go there with my boss.

Now that I think about it, I wouldn’t even have time for a normal relationship. The only time I have for myself is when I can squeeze in a workout. I’ve kept up with my boxing at a cheap local gym. It’s an hour that”s just for me and I savor it more now that my dad’s sick. Instead of curling up in a ball and crying, I take that hurt and pain out on a bag. Literally punching the shit out of it until I can’t feel anymore. I go home exhausted but also lighter.

“Let me introduce you to your team.”

My stomach begins to flip with nerves. I follow him to a desk where a guy in his mid-30s with short, dark hair is typing furiously on his keyboard. He must hear us approach because he ceases typing and swivels in his chair to face us. His green eyes look brightly at me.

“Dalton, this is Nova. She”s replacing Fern.”

Dalton smiles. “Hi Nova, it’s nice to meet you. When do you start?”

The question takes me off guard. I look to Mr. Spencer for the answer.

“We haven’t worked out a start date but most likely in a week or two.”

Dalton nods. “Well, I look forward to working with you.”

Mr. Spencer touches my arm and I jolt. But I relax the moment I realize he wants me to follow him to another desk where a red-haired woman, who looks to be in her early 40s, finishes up a phone call.

“Hi, Poppy. I’m just introducing a new staff member. This is Nova, she’ll start in a week or so and she”s replacing Fern.”

Her icy blue eyes slit at me. She’s unimpressed.

I smile and she gives me a curt one back, which twists my stomach into a ball of nerves. I don’t normally have issues with other women, and I really hope she’s no different. I don’t get long to think about it, though, because Mr. Spencer”s phone rings and he hits decline before speaking to me. “Let”s get to the contracts. I have a meeting soon, so I unfortunately need to end this.”

Not unfortunate for me. Today has been a lot. From coming into a job interview to leaving with a job and starting in possibly a week”s time. No wonder my emotions are a mess.

But this is all positive. I need this.

I can’t wait to leave and tell my parents. Their proud faces and tears will be worth it.

“Nice to meet you,” I say and wave to Poppy and then Dalton before following Bentley to the elevators.

Downstairs I sign papers, and before I know it, I’m leaving the office building that I’ll call my workplace soon.

On my walk to my car that’s parked a block away, I call home.

“Nova. How did it go?” My mom answers on the first ring.

My chest swells. I”m thrilled to be able to tell her the great news.

“I got the job!” I exclaim proudly.

“Oh, I knew it. Charles, she got the job.” Mom sniffles.

“Tell me all about it,” she requests.

I’m getting in the car to drive to the gym, but I know she won’t let me hang up until I tell her something. “I start next week. I met my co-workers Dalton and Poppy. The boss said it’s temporary while a lady named Fern is on maternity leave but after the contract is up, he’ll find me a new job within the company.”

I avoid saying the guy gives me an uncomfortable feeling because I don’t need them to worry about me. I can handle Mr. Spencer.

“How’s Dad feeling?” I ask. He had a doctor”s appointment today for a check-up after his first round of chemo.

“He”s okay. There’s a little bit of swelling from one of his kidneys. The doctors are keeping an eye on it but other than that he’s good. Don’t worry about him.”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere.” My dad’s voice calls out in the background.

“You heard him,” Mom adds.

“I did. Well, I’m about to drive to the gym, but I’ll talk to you soon. I love you both.”

“I love you too. Drive safe.”

“I will. Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad.” I hang up and drive away.

Entering the open-air gym, I head to my usual spot tucked away in the basement corner. I want to be alone for the next forty-five minutes, where I can feel my knuckles hit the bag and relish in the pain. The gym is packed with kids who come here after school, but I block them out by focusing on the Hip Hop music, and the feeling that punching the bag with all my strength gives me. When I’m dripping with sweat and my knuckles can’t take another hit, I pack my bag and head home.

I don’t live with my parents. I haven”t since I went to college. There have been times when I’ve wanted to move back. Like the day my dad was first diagnosed with cancer. But that was my fear talking. Fear of losing him. But he insisted on me living my life and finishing college. His strength is one I look up to. Maybe that’s why I refuse to give up. The thought of him not being around one day is scary, so I don’t allow myself to think or feel it.

I park at the rental house and take a few exhausting steps toward the door. Entering the mudroom, I kick off my trainers and the smell of onion hits me. Someone is cooking.

“Mmm, smells good in here,” I call out.

“Spaghetti,” Summer calls from the kitchen. She”s home from college where she’s studying to become a veterinarian.

There was this one time she brought home her dissection project and put it in our fridge. She went to take a shower, forgot to tell me, and when I opened the fridge, I screamed. She came out of the shower wearing a towel and looking around frantically. I pointed at the fridge and she laughed. I didn’t find it funny. I was still trying to calm my heart rate down. From then on, she promised to never bring her projects home.

“Can I help?” I ask, wandering into the kitchen.

“No. I’m just waiting for the water to boil,” she replies, nudging her nose down at the pot before her brown eyes meet mine. She’s wearing her usual pair of gray sweats and her wavy brown hair is tied up in a bun on her head. She seems all set for a relaxing night.

“I might jump in the shower then.” I tilt my head in the direction of the bathroom.

“Go for it.”

“Where’s Chelsea?” I ask, surprised to find her gone.

“No idea.” Summer shrugs. “Maybe still at work.”

“I’ll be back,” I say over my shoulder and jog up the stairs.

I step into the hot shower and try to find the energy for another few hours before I can crawl into bed and sleep.

When I return to the kitchen, I notice Chelsea is home and she’s setting the table for dinner. She’s wearing her usual activewear, this time a bright blue, which compliments her dark hair and sun-kissed skin.

“Hey, Chels.” I walk over to help her. She’s taller than Summer and me at five foot nine and all legs.

“Hey!” She peers down at me with a smile. Summer lowers a bowl on the table. As I finish putting the last fork down.

We all take our seats.

“Oh. I forgot something.” Summer stands. She walks to the fridge and pulls out the champagne. It’s been in there for a few weeks. We have been waiting for this moment.

She stares at me. “Please tell me the interview went well.”

I nod with a big smile. “I got the job.”

Summer pours us a drink and they both come over and hug me. Tears prick my eyes from the support. It feels like it’s been a long time coming. All my hard work at school has finally paid off. I’m an adult with a full-time job. My dream job. A job I feel I’ll be good at. And it’ll be nice to make my own money.

“You guys are going to make me cry.” I pick up my napkin and dab my eyes.

“It’s okay. I’m sure it’s a lot. You’ve finished college and now you have a job in a fancy New York office.” Summer rubs my arm. It soothes me.

“Yeah, but enough about me. What about you girls? Anything exciting happen?” I ask.

“I dissected—” Summer begins.

I wave my arms. “No vet talk at the table. I want to be able to eat my dinner.”

“Yeah, save it for later,” Chelsea adds.

A phone chimes. Chelsea lifts her phone from the table and winces.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yeah. I was supposed to see Bobby tonight, but he’s working late again.”

Her eyes haven”t left the screen and I want to scream and tell her to dump him. Her boyfriend of two years, Bobby, is a jerk. He never puts her first, and always finds a way to put her down. She’s becoming a shell of her bubbly self. He definitely doesn’t realize how special she is.

“I’m sorry, Chels,” I say genuinely as I grab her forearm and gently squeeze it until she looks up at me from her phone.

My stare says what I wish I could say, but she’s already heard me say you should break up with him. I don’t want to repeat myself and push her away. I’m her safe place. She knows Summer and I are going to be here for her when that day comes. And it will come. Bobby is a liar and a cheater. An all-around douchebag.

We eat in silence and Chelsea is the first to retreat to her room. I clean up with Summer. We give each other looks but don’t utter a word. We don’t want Chelsea hearing us bitch about Bobby. It would hurt her more.

After the kitchen is tidy, I say goodnight and head up to my room. Lying on my double bed, I pick up my phone ready to catch up on the day, but I see a message from an unknown number.

Unknown:You never sent me the contract.