Chapter 22
Ricky
It’s been almost two weeks since the partner dinner. I’ve had two meetings with Mr. Stevens, one on the phone and one in person. Today, I have my first solo in-person meeting with Mr. Parker.
While I don’t have any news on the hiring front with Parker and Stevens, on a personal note, the last two weeks have been better than any two weeks in my memory. Marilyn and I are officially dating. I brought her to my apartment, and after she met Max, we agreed to spend our time at her place. I’ve only spent weekend nights, but I made sure to keep my end of the deal and cook her breakfast.
Today is Thursday, and since we didn’t see each other last night and I’m early for my meeting with Mr. Parker, I make a detour.
Instead of heading to Mr. Parker’s office, I find my way to the third floor, to the reception desk where I dropped off the letter to Marilyn two weeks ago.
“Is Ms. James in?” I ask the receptionist.
The woman’s lips curl as she sizes me up and down. “You’re the one who left her the letter.”
“Guilty.”
“Your name?”
“Richard Dunn.”
“Just a minute.”
I wait as she pushes some buttons and speaks into her headset. After a few moments, she removes the headset. “Follow me to Ms. James’s office.”
The receptionist leads me through a closed door to a hallway of doors. She knocks lightly on one. Next to the door is the nameplate: Marilyn James, Wealth Adviser.
“Come in,” Marilyn calls. She stands from behind the glass desk.
I can’t help but scan from her rich chestnut hair down her figure. Even in the blouse, jacket, and skirt, I see each of her curves, imagining the way they look without the clothes.
Marilyn smiles. “Thank you, Klara.”
Klara, the receptionist, nods and leaves the two of us alone.
“I didn’t expect you to visit me,” she says, walking around the desk and dusting off the lapels of my new suit coat. “You look very handsome.”
We share a chaste kiss.
“And you’re stunning.” I turn a full circle, taking in the bookcases, chairs, and window. “Wow, you have a window.”
Marilyn laughs. “A little bigger than a porthole on a ship, but it’s glass.”
She’s exaggerating. While it isn’t a floor-to-ceiling window, it’s a normal-sized view of the outside. I’ve learned from her stories that, as an intern, she was in a cubicle, surrounded by other cubicles.
“I’m glad you like the suit. You picked it out.”
“You’re going on your second in-person interview with the partners. I thought it was time you move up from the one suit.”
“Hey, that suit has served me well. I’ve had it since my grandpa’s funeral.” I try to think. “That’s six years ago.”
Marilyn nods, her lips pressed together in a tight smile. “You deserve a new suit.”
“I hate to use you as a spy,” I preface. “Have you heard anything about the hires for the new position?”
Marilyn’s smile fades. “I heard something this morning.”
Shit.
“I don’t like your expression.”
“The talent acquisition team agreed on hiring six of the twenty applicants from the dinner.”
“When are they going to let us know?”
She reaches for my hand. “They already have. Calls went out yesterday. The other applicants will be notified by snail mail.”
Gritting my teeth, I exhale. “Then why the fuck am I here?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I believe the partners are interested in you for research and development with the agriculture wealth campaign.” She brightens her smile. “This is much bigger than the position you interviewed for, Ricky. This is moving up.”
“Do you know that for sure?”
Marilyn shakes her head. “I’m reading tea leaves, but why would Mr. Parker schedule this meeting if you’re going to get a Dear John letter?”
I sit down in one of the chairs opposite Marilyn’s desk. “Maybe this isn’t the world for me.”
She crosses her arms over her breasts, leans against her desk, and gives me her best scowl. “You are not allowed to give up, Richard Dunn. First, the doors here haven’t closed. You’re meeting with the second of two partners in a week. And second, the world of finance is not all contained within Parker and Stevens. You have other options. Didn’t you say that your headhunter messaged you about a position with Chase?”
I nod. “I had my heart set on here.”
Marilyn crouches down next to the chair. For only a brief second, I have visions of her on her knees at Devan’s house, in the shower...
Her voice pulls me back to reality.
“Ricky, walk into Mr. Parker’s office with the confidence of bringing more to the table than any of the other applicants. They were hired to do menial and brain-numbing tasks. I know. I did those tasks as an intern. The other applicants went from high school straight into college. Their life experiences are social media, gaming, and partying. You’ve had a life and career.”
“It wasn’t?—”
I’m mesmerized by the determination in her voice and the conviction in her blue stare.
“It was a career,” Marilyn argues. “Ask Justin. While my dad didn’t farm, I grew up watching your dad, you, and others work your asses off. The people hired for the starting positions don’t know the meaning of a hard day’s work. You do. Take that into your meeting with Mr. Parker.”
“Are you my cheerleader?”
Marilyn stands and brushes her skirt. “I have news for you, Mr. Dunn, I don’t give false praise. It’s a waste of breath. I listened to you at the partner dinner, and we’ve talked. You deserve a cheerleader.”
“And a new suit.”
Marilyn lifts an eyebrow. “Maybe more. Go have a great meeting, and then we can talk about what else you deserve.”
My lips curl. “Maybe coming here first wasn’t a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want the impression I make on Mr. Parker to be walking into his office with a hard-on.”
“It is impressive.”
Shaking my head, I stand, reach for her hands, and lean forward, kissing her nose. “Thank you. When you’re not being sassy, you know exactly what to say.”
“I can be sassy.”
“I know you can.”
“Come to my place for dinner tonight?”
I nod, my thoughts going to Mr. Parker and the knowledge that all the positions have been filled. As I’m headed toward the receptionist’s desk, I notice the man walking my direction is Marilyn’s ex. It’s one of those moments when I can’t decide if I should acknowledge him or just let him pass by.
“Dunn,” he says, looking me up and down. “What are you doing here?”
“Perkins, nice to see you again.”
“Maybe you haven’t heard, but the positions have already been filled.”
I straighten my shoulders. “I’ve been informed. I’m here for a meeting with Mr. Parker about another position.” I don’t know if that’s one hundred percent accurate, but I’m going with it.
Bryce’s eyes narrow. “What other position? I’m on the talent acquisition team.”
Shrugging, I force a smile. “That sounds like a question for one of the partners. I’ve had two meetings with Mr. Stevens.”
“You’re on the wrong floor.”
“Thanks for the information. I need to get to my meeting.” I don’t wait for him to say goodbye or end our conversation. I’m perfectly content with where it concluded. As I reach for the handle of the door to the reception area, I notice Bryce stepping into Marilyn’s office.
I tell myself not to think about that. She’s a capable woman, and I know she isn’t interested in Bryce, even if he is interested in her. Suddenly, I wonder if my not getting one of the positions is courtesy of Mr. Bryce Talent Acquisition Team Perkins.
“Richard Dunn, for Mr. Parker,” I say to a different receptionist on the top floor.
“Please have a seat, Mr. Dunn. Mr. Parker is on a call, but he’ll be with you shortly.”