2. Maddie
2
MADDIE
Sloan: How’s your first day going? Have you met your boss yet?
I glanced down at the text Sloan had sent me ten minutes ago as I finished up the tour of my new workspace. Hastings Industries was in one of the newer high-rises in downtown New Haven. The building was sleek, modern, and frankly, a little intimidating. After spending the last few years working as a receptionist in a small, cramped office in Ridgewater, this was a whole new world.
Taking a deep breath, I typed out a reply to Sloan: I haven’t met him yet. Just got back to my desk after a tour. The HR lady says he’ll probably call me in once his meeting is over.
I set my phone down and took in my new surroundings. The office was more impressive than I’d imagined, with its modern décor, state-of-the-art technology, and a sense of efficiency that seemed to permeate the air. My desk was situated right outside Ian Hastings’ corner office, which had floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the park below. The greenery and the cityscape beyond felt almost surreal, like a postcard come to life. It was the kind of view that made you feel like you’d made it, like maybe—just maybe—things were starting to come together.
And I needed them to come together. This job was more than just a paycheck. It was a fresh start for me and Grant. I glanced at my son’s photo on my desk—a snapshot of him grinning with that gap-toothed smile of his, holding a soccer ball bigger than his head. He was my world, and this job was a chance to give him the stability we both needed.
Marsha, the head of HR, had been wonderful during the tour. She was a middle-aged woman with short, fiery red hair that suited her vibrant personality. From the break room to the conference rooms, she’d shown me everything, even the little things like where the restrooms were—a detail I appreciated since I drank water like a camel.
But what really struck me was the office space I’d be working in. My desk, with its prime location just outside Mr. Hastings’ office, felt like the heart of the operation—like I was Donna, the legal secretary to the great Harvey Spector in my favorite show Suits .
And that view—oh, that view—I still couldn’t believe I’d be working here.
Just as I was about to dive into my email, Marsha appeared at my desk. “Mr. Hastings is finishing up his meeting in the conference room now,” she said with a warm smile. “He’ll probably invite you into his office as soon as he sees you. I’m sure he’d like to get to know you a bit before going over what he needs from you today.”
I nodded, doing my best to keep my cool as a thrill of anticipation shot through me. “Thanks, Marsha.”
As she walked away, I busied myself with getting acquainted with the computer system, trying to ignore the fluttering nerves in my stomach. This was it. My chance to make a good first impression.
A few minutes later, I heard the sound of expensive shoes clicking on the polished floor. Looking up, I saw a group of men in tailored suits leaving the conference room. They looked important, powerful, the kind of people who made big decisions over coffee and conference calls.
My eyes scanned the group, and then?—
My heart stopped.
There he was. The man I’d kissed at the club.
How could this be happening? I wondered as panic surged through me. Of all the people in New Haven, how could he be here?
My mind raced, trying to make sense of it, but there was no time to think. He was walking right toward me.
My instinct was to duck my head down, to pretend to be absorbed in my work, praying he wouldn’t notice me. Maybe if I just?—
But instead of hearing him walk past, I felt his presence stop directly in front of my desk.
Oh no. Please no. Please don’t be who I think you are.
My heart hammered in my chest as I slowly looked up, hoping against hope that I was imagining things.
“Hi,” he said, his voice smooth and all too familiar even though we’d only spoken a few sentences to each other on Friday night. “Marsha tells me you’re my new assistant.”
The blood drained from my face as reality hit me like a freight train. This was Ian Hastings. My boss was the man I’d kissed in a moment of wild spontaneity.
Not just kissed, but full-on made-out with.
I’d stroked the stubble on his jaw. Lost myself in the heat of his embrace.
How could this happen? How in the world had Sloan not stopped me before I’d gone up to a complete stranger and kissed him?
And why the heck hadn’t she warned me about what I’d done before I showed up to work today, stupidly not having a clue that the one moment I’d decided to be reckless, it had been with my freaking boss?
When I met Ian’s gaze, his dark brown eyes widened like he was only just then recognizing me.
Oh crap! This was not good.
Is he going to fire me on the spot for sexual harassment?
I mean, I hadn’t kissed him in the workplace, and he’d seemed happy to take part in that kiss at the time…but with my luck, there was probably some sort of rule against throwing yourself at your future boss in a club.
I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard. And for a moment, he just stood there, speechless, clearly as thrown off as I was. But then he licked his lips, seemed to gain his bearings, and then said, “Hi…I guess we’ve actually met before.”
“Yes…” I nodded, desperately searching for words. “I, uh…”
But I couldn’t finish the sentence because my brain was currently in the process of short-circuiting.
This can’t be real. This can’t be happening.
I’m so going to die.
Ian cleared his throat, seemingly trying to break the awkwardness. “Well,” he began, his voice strained but polite, “it’s nice to officially meet you, Maddie. Why don’t we…uh…why don’t we step into my office?”
I nodded again, unable to trust my voice. With shaky legs, I stood up, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
As I followed him into his office, all I could think was that it was no wonder Sloan had been so anxious to hear if I’d met my boss yet.
She’s so dead when I get home from work today.
I just hoped I’d still actually have a job when this meeting was over with.