Chapter 4
MEGAN
The next morning, I was ready to face Luke. I was wearing a suit again. This one was dark gray, and I had a white chemise underneath. I looked as professional and as conservative as I could. I needed to make a good impression after yesterday. I felt more equipped now to deal with him anyway.
The truth was, I wanted the job—I needed it.
I’d been unemployed for too long, and this internship was the place to be, regardless if I won the US Architecture Design Award or not.
This job would open a lot of doors for me.
The internship only lasted six months, and I could do it.
I simply needed to pull myself together and forget I’d met him that evening.
Thinking back on yesterday, Luke apparently had.
He didn’t seem the least bit concerned when he realized his new hire was me.
Luke seemed pleased to see me, and I didn’t think it was because we’d spent time in bed.
He didn’t act untoward, so I needed to be as professional as he was, put on my big girl panties, and do the best job I could for him as his new employee.
I knew what I had to do. But I wasn’t sure I could do it.
The coffee shop was three blocks away from his office.
It looked crisp, and through the window, I noticed uncomfortable wooden chairs that didn’t invite one to linger for hours.
It was full of suits going in and out. The heat of the morning was sweltering.
July in Chicago wasn’t for the faint of heart.
I loved Lake Michigan as much as everyone else, but I wasn’t a fan of the humidity permeating the air.
Stepping inside, I relaxed a bit as the blast of the AC chilled me.
I looked around, and my breath caught when I saw him.
Good Lord. Apparently I hadn’t braced myself enough for this.
He was wearing a suit as well, but he didn't have the jacket on. He’d slung it over his shoulder.
Even from a distance, I could tell it was an expensive shirt with silver cuff links.
My mouth watered because I knew what was underneath.
Okay, let's get the show going. You’re here to make a professional impression.
I walked to him with determined steps. Luke rose to his feet when he saw me.
"Megan."
"Luke. Should we pretend yesterday didn't happen either?" I asked, my mouth was suddenly dry.
"Whatever makes you feel more comfortable, Megan."
I laughed. Damn it. I couldn't keep my nerves from showing, and I hadn't even been in his presence more than a few minutes. "I don't know."
He gestured for me to sit down and then did the same.
"Let's keep this simple. If you decide to take the job, we'll keep everything strictly professional.
No mentioning anything that could potentially get us into trouble.
" He'd spoken the last few words slowly and deliberately.
I wondered how much thought had been given to those “potential problems.” Did I even want to know? No, it was safer if I didn't.
I looked at him intently. Could he really do it? Be completely professional? Could I?
"What do you want to drink?" he asked.
"Regular coffee, please."
"I'll be right back with one."
As he left, I couldn't keep from peeking after him. Oh my God, that backside.
I relaxed a little, sitting there by myself. This was going to work out. I could feel it in my bones. I wanted to work with him and his team. I wasn't going to find an opportunity like this anytime soon. And I think he was sincere with keeping things on the up and up.
Luke came back quicker than I expected.
"Thank you," I said, taking the coffee cup from him. "You didn't get anything?"
"No. I already had three coffees today," he responded.
I stared at him. "At eight o'clock in the morning?"
"I start my day with a triple shot."
"Wow. Okay." Taking in a deep breath, I said, "Look, I want the job. I’m just concerned if I should accept it considering our history."
He clapped his hands once, training his eyes on me. "I’m glad to hear you still want the job. You'll be great at it. I looked over your résumé. You'd be doing the same job you did at SkyDesigns. I presume you left there because they shut down?"
“I left before they shut down completely. They fired most juniors five months ago."
"I'm sorry they're not in business anymore."
"You are? But they were your competitors."
"Healthy competition is important, and they were good at what they did. But it’s a tough market."
"It is," I agreed.
He seemed like a fair man. I liked that about him.
He opened one cuff link, rolling up the sleeve, and then did the same with the other. I tried hard to look away, but I couldn't help myself and sneaked a few peeks.
"Megan, my team and I are pitching new projects. I need to know if you want to be on the team so I can plan accordingly."
"Oh, right. But you do have a big team. I looked it up on LinkedIn."
"We also have lots of projects."
"You are not on LinkedIn, by the way. I kept trying to figure out how I never saw your picture, why I didn’t recognize you… before.” I motioned with my free hand, like he even knew what that meant.
He smiled knowingly. "I keep a low profile. The Maxwell name can get unwanted attention."
"I can see that. Last night, I Googled you, and your cousin Reese popped up. They don’t get tired of talking about her, and, well, everything that happened. Sorry, I have no idea why I brought this up." On a sigh, I admitted, “I’m nervous.”
"Don’t be. I don’t bite. I promise.”
He flashed me a charming smile that made me simmer in my spot.
“As to Reese, you’re right. They're not giving her an easy time, and she damn well deserves a break." His voice had changed, turning harsh and fierce. He talked so protectively about his cousin that it took me by surprise. I barely kept myself from asking more about the issue.
Keep things professional, Megan. No asking about his family. That is none of your business.
And no salivating when you look at those arms!
Damn it. This wasn’t going well.
I finished my coffee in a few sips. "When do you need an answer?" I asked.
"As soon as possible. I also read in your letter of intent that you want to compete for the US Architecture Design Award.”
“Yes, I do.”
“We’ve got a great mentoring program.”
I nodded. "I’ll let you know tomorrow. I like to sleep on things." I blushed, clearing my throat. “I didn't mean—"
He shook his head. "Don't worry. I didn't take that as innuendo.”
“What I mean is that I like to think things over, usually.” Taking a deep breath, I blurted, “I've never had a one-night stand before.” I felt like a deer in headlights. “Shit, I have no idea why I said that."
Luke looked as shell-shocked as me right now.
Telling him I’d never had a one-night stand was really none of his business.
But for some reason, I wanted him to know.
I’d had a long-term relationship from the time I was eighteen until two years ago when Carson decided he needed to broaden his horizons—which I found out was code for sleeping with other women.
Which had left me in a dry spell ever since.
Until Luke.
"I don't mind." In an instant, his eyes turned darker.
I cleared my throat, shaking my head and getting up from my chair. "This isn't a promising start.”
Luke rose too. “The rules only apply once you agree to work with us. We’re still in no-man's-land, so to speak."
Luke Maxwell was a master at word games.
“I’ll email you tomorrow morning,” I said.
“I’m looking forward to it.” His eyes were still dark.
My heart was pounding through my rib cage, my pulse was so fast that I was beginning to feel light-headed.
Clearing my throat, I uttered a hurried goodbye and headed toward the exit. I didn’t look over my shoulder even once because I was certain his eyes were on me.
For the rest of the morning, I wandered through the city, trying to make up my mind.
I spent the whole afternoon sitting in my bed, looking at other job openings, but none were even close to being as attractive as this one.
Besides, the deadline for applying for the US Architecture Design Award was in a week.
I had enough job-hunting experience to know I wouldn’t get an offer that soon.
I looked at the LinkedIn profiles of former interns again. They all went on to have amazing careers and had gotten job offers at prestigious architecture companies around the world.
I’d told him I wanted to sleep on it, but in truth, I’d already made up my mind. Being around him was going to be hard, or at the very least awkward, but I wasn’t going to throw away this opportunity because of that.
Putting my laptop to one side, I got up from my bed. This was probably the world’s tiniest bedroom. The bed took up the whole room, but the wall in front of it was one huge mirror, so visually, it seemed larger. The dresser was next to the bathroom.
I took my laptop to the living room, needing a change of scenery.
I liked the living and cooking area. The white kitchen took up most of the space.
In the opposite corner was a small gray couch.
I didn’t own a TV, primarily because the cost of cable was outrageous, and if I wanted to stream anything, I could just watch it on my laptop.
The place was small, but I wanted to live alone and be able to afford it, and at this price, I didn’t get much square footage. I liked my space, though. I didn’t want to share an apartment, not even with Nina, who’d insisted we could find something together.
I took out a mug with the words “World’s Best Teacup” on it. Aunt Dana gave it to me when I left for college. I made chamomile tea, taking a few sips while I played in my mind how the conversation with Luke might go.
I liked this visualization technique. I learned it in my last year of college. The professor who taught it insisted he used it whenever he had a presentation. I found it useful to soothe my nerves before interviews.
Once I finished my tea, I grabbed my phone and called Luke. It was six o’clock in the evening, so I shouldn’t be interrupting a meeting.
He answered right away. “This is a pleasant surprise, Megan.”
My stomach instantly constricted, and my palms were a bit sweaty. “Hey, Luke. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“No, nothing at all.”
“I’m calling you because I’ve decided to take the job. I want the internship. I want to be part of your team.”
“That’s excellent news.”
“When should I come by the office?”
“Tomorrow morning. Like I said, the timing is great. I’ve got some new projects that you’ll be perfect for.”
“Okay.”
Silence stretched between us for quite some time. It wasn’t awkward, just charged.
“Right. Well, that’s all,” I said. “Unless you need anything else from me?”
“There are so many more fucking things I need.” He groaned. His voice had dropped an octave. “But as of this moment, we’re not in no-man’s-land anymore, Megan.”