Chapter 3
THREE
As the doors to the elevator closed behind me, I tried to catch my breath. Freaking public transportation. Even though I’d grown up only a couple of blocks from here, I’d never taken the subway much. The train had been late, and I’d ended up going in the wrong direction, meaning I had to get off at the next stop and try to find the right one.
I knew I should have sprung for an Uber or a cab, but with my bank account draining by the second, every penny saved was precious.
Thank goodness Adam pulled some connections to get me this interview. While I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of working for his manager, it was better than my other job offers, which, for the record, were none. When you’re a twenty-six-year-old with limited work experience, you’re not anyone’s dream candidate.
It was fine. It wasn’t personal. None of these jobs knew me, knew what I could bring to the table. Which is what? The little voice in the back of my head gave life to the thought that had been plaguing me for almost a month .
Sure, I’d gone to one of the best universities in the country, but education and practical skills were two entirely different beasts. I shoved the thought down, smoothing my hands over my borrowed skirt.
Devyn insisted on dressing me for the interview, deeming my closet too bohemian for the Manhattan job market. So, instead of the floral, A-line dress I’d picked out, I was wearing a black pencil skirt with a green satin blouse tucked into the top. I finished the look off with a chunky white cardigan and some thin gold necklaces. Maybe Devyn would disapprove, but I firmly believed that how you dressed affected your mood.
When I pushed inside the lobby for Wallace and Associates, the empty white walls almost blinded me. The room was silent, which immediately raised all my red flags. I knew it was a new business, but this was not what I was expecting.
“Hello?” I called out, but my echo was the only response. Perfect. I didn’t know Adam well, but I was pretty sure he wouldn’t have sent me here if there wasn’t a real job.
Not to mention, the office was cold . The temperature itself was fine, but the room held zero personality. Not only was there the white walls, but it was all bland furniture, obviously picked out from one of those bulk order catalogs. How could they host clients here if the room looked like it was more appropriate for murder than business?
I peeked down the hallway, hoping that someone would be out to greet me. Glancing at my watch, I grimaced when I realized I was exactly on time—so much for getting here early to show initiative. That was before the subway debacle forced me to sprint the last couple of blocks.
At least I wasn’t the only one running late, if the lack of a greeter was any indication .
I sat down in one of the waiting chairs, smoothing my frizzing waves with my fingers. My breath pushed through my lips. It would be fine. It had to be fine. What was the alternative? Cowering back to my mother with my tail tucked between my legs and working at my stepfather’s company?
I involuntarily shuddered. Trapped with David as a boss? No, thank you. There was no way I’d resign myself to that life. My shoulders shook, trying to force a false confidence. I was going to rock this interview. It was a little unclear about what the job entailed, just that I would be working for Theo, Adam’s manager. According to Adam, he was one of the top agents at the firm. I guessed he would be out dealing with clients while I’d likely be answering phones and going for coffee runs.
As I debated looking around some more, the man of the hour stepped into the lobby, his eyes widening a little when he saw me sitting there. “Do you have an appointment?”
His voice was deep, almost melodic with its timbre, but that wasn’t what stunned me the most. While Theo wasn’t as tall as the men I was usually attracted to, he oozed confidence and power. No wonder he was so successful. His dark brown eyes held mine, and my hands shook a little, trapped under the intensity of his stare.
“Are you lost?”
I shook my head, forcing myself to my feet. When I stepped closer to him, holding out my hand, I realized he wasn’t that much taller than me. At 5 foot 8 inches, I was almost six feet tall with my heels on. We were pretty much the same height, but he had such a forceful presence that my knees nearly buckled.
“Sorry, I’m Calla Winters. I think we crossed paths a few times when you were staying at the Isadora. I’m Alex’s best friend.” I beamed my patented smile at him. “I’m also your nine o’clock meeting.”
Theo chuffed but placed his palm in mine. “Theo Ayad, acting Manager.”
As our hands shook, he looked at me, his intense eyes studying every inch of my face. I could feel my cheeks flush, but I wished the blush away, hating that he was already making me flustered.
“Follow me.”
As he ushered me down the hall, which I assumed led to his office, I tried to remember everything I learned about him from my friends. While Adam spoke highly about his talents as an agent, Cole had called Theo an unbearable ass. Alex was on the fence, having spent a lot of time with Theo when she was posing as Adam’s girlfriend. She said he’d been supportive. Even after everything that had transpired, Theo was one of the leading investors in her hotel back in Saint Stephen’s Lake. Without him and the others, there was no way she would have been able to afford her property.
But there was also the part about Theo threatening to sue Alex multiple times, which gave him a black mark in my book.
We ended up in the corner office with, you guessed it , absolutely no personality. The only furniture in the room was a black leather couch and an oversized glass and chrome desk. It reminded me of the one in my mother’s office. I never understood the purpose of desks like that. They didn’t have any drawers, so where were you supposed to keep your things? My desk was stuffed, the surface covered with various colored pens and post-its, books and papers. I probably should clean that …
“So, Miss Winters. Tell me why I should hire you.”
My eyes snapped to Theo’s. So much for easing in slowly. Did I miss the small talk portion of our interview? I cleared my throat, taking a seat in the chair across from him.
“I think I’d be an asset to your company, Mr. Ayad,” I started, trying to recite the words I’d practiced with Devyn this morning. “I’m, uh, a fast learner and enjoy challenges. I think I would be a great addition to your…” I glanced around the office, noting I was the only other soul on the floor. “Your team.”
“Clever,” Theo smirked, however the way he said the word showed that he thought my answer was anything but.
My smile wavered under the weight of his stare, and I waited for him to say anything else—to ask me a question, something other than stare at me as if I had three heads—but it only got worse when he sighed, tossing me the piece of paper in his lap. “You should know that I only took this meeting as a favor to Adam. Normally, I wouldn’t have given you a second thought.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve been out of school for almost four years and have barely any work experience.”
“I was helping my mother?—”
“Yeah, I know all about the hotel,” Theo cut me off. “That was more of a hobby, right? It sounds like you assisted with organizing events, and that’s it?”
Despite my best intentions, my mouth started to wobble, hating that he pointed out my insecurities so easily. When did everyone else get the memo that you had to know precisely what career you wanted the moment you finished school? So maybe I’d been coasting longer than most, but I refused to believe I was the only person who felt lost, who didn’t want to pick a career just because it was easy or convenient. I wanted that drive, that passion, for what I did for the rest of my life. Apparently, I was the only one who thought that way.
My hands shook from sheer embarrassment. For the first time, I started to think that maybe my mother was right. Her words played out in my head again, reminding me that I was throwing my life away.
“It was more than that.” I tried to force out the words, but they came out weak. “I helped plan and run many large events, sometimes simultaneous ones…” At the sound of my voice cracking, Theo looked up, his eyes widening. I brushed my hands on my skirt, trying to leave my nerves in the fabric. “I organized a lot of weddings and other milestones, moments people dream about. Making them happen…” I cleared my throat, offering him a half-hearted smile. “Maybe it doesn’t seem like much to you, however it means something to me.”
Theo leaned forward, propping his elbows on his muscular thighs. He exhaled slowly as his hand slid down his face, stopping to rub his jaw. “Do you have any administrative experience?”
“Excuse me?”
“Clerical work,” Theo repeated. “Filing, setting up meetings, note-taking. Do you have experience in any of those skills?”
“Yes,” I answered honestly. “I spent most of my summer and school breaks at the Isadora. I’ve been helping with the books and all the behind the scenes work for years. I might need some time to catch up on any newer systems. Otherwise, I can handle it.”
“Good,” Theo answered, talking more to himself than to me. “Look, you’ve caught me in a rough moment.” He motioned at the empty office. “As you can probably tell, there’s a lot to be done around here. I’m being pulled in a thousand different directions, and my head is spinning.” He laughed, the sound dark and rich. “Which is why I’m unloading on you instead of being more professional. Please forgive me.”
When my eyes met his, I suddenly noticed the dark circles that lined them. The man looked exhausted, as if he’d been killing himself to get everything set up. Maybe I should have done the smart thing and found a job where the boss wasn’t giving me emotional whiplash, but I’d never been able to walk away from someone in need.
“Let me help.”
“Excuse me?”
I steeled my nerves, trying to emulate my older sister’s confidence. “You’re right; on paper, maybe I’m not the right fit for your company, but my resume, as bare as it might be,” Theo chuckled a little, “isn't the whole picture. Let me help, and then you can evaluate how I’ll fit in here.” I shrugged, trying to make my suggestion seem casual while my anxiety wreaked havoc in my chest. “Like an audition.”
Theo stared at me for a long moment then leaned back into his chair and laughed. “You’re serious?”
“What do you have to lose?”
He leaned back in his chair, weighing each of my words. I was used to being the one on the other side, the one trying to read people and their intentions. Theo watching me made me feel vulnerable. Raw.
He shook his head like he wanted desperately to say no. I closed my eyes, dragging in deep breaths to prepare myself for the inevitable rejection, but instead, he held out his hand. “Alright, Ms. Winters. You can start tomorrow.”
“Are you serious?” I squealed, tempted to clap my hands, but I tucked them in my lap instead. “Thank you, Mr. Ayad.”
“Thirty days,” he said quickly. “You have thirty days to prove yourself, or I will fire you and find someone more capable for the job.”
“I won’t let you down.”