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I was nervous. The most scared I had been in my entire life and none of my usual techniques to keep myself calm were working. Reciting song lyrics didn’t calm my mind, not when constant thoughts about what would happen when I was called through those double doors flooded my thoughts. Tapping my thumb to all my fingertips and counting didn’t help either. Instead, I resorted to lightly bouncing my left knee while clutching at the hem of my skirt.
With large windows allowing vast amounts of light to my left, I even tried to study all the tall buildings and architecture I could see as a way of distracting myself. Still, in the end, it was pointless. Nothing could calm my racing heart or the churning of a thousand snakes in my stomach.
The offices of Anders and Co. were beautiful. Black and soft grey fabric tiles lined the seating area which contained deep blue hard leather chairs and a single black stone oval coffee table. The crystal glass in the center was filled with white Eucalyptus and a deep purple plant I didn’t recognize. The gleaming counter resting atop sleek black cabinets straight across from where I sat contained a wicker basket of muffins, the biggest coffee maker I had ever seen, and to my left near the elevators was the dark oak desk behind which sat the receptionist that had greeted me and assigned me a seat.
It was strange to be given a specific seat in a waiting room, but maybe that was how things worked here. Even with just a glimpse of this office building, I couldn’t help but compare it to the grandeur of my hotel room. The place was as big as three rooms combined at home and with more silk and Egyptian cotton than I’d ever seen in my life.
It was difficult for me to tell if they were really trying to take care of me or showing off just what their money could buy. Either way, ever since arriving in New York a day ago, I had gotten very little sleep. I was too afraid of messing something up and paying thousands of dollars to clear up a tiny stain.
On the flight over, I’d googled the Ashbluffs and learned they came from old money so far back that there wasn’t time to dig into where it came from. They certainly didn’t need the wine business; it was surely more of a side project than anything else.
My world was so different from this one that it was even more difficult to just exist in the space. As time ticked by, my leg bouncing worsened until finally, the heavy oak double doors at the end of the corridor swung open and Matt strode in.
“Miss Parker, it’s so lovely to see you again.” Matt’s attire wasn’t as formal as when he’d arrived on my doorstep. Minus the suit jacket, he looked quite pleasant in a pale blue shirt with cream silk suspenders clinging firmly to his shoulders.
“It’s nice to see you again,” I smiled and darted to my feet, quickly shaking his outstretched hand. “Is it time?”
“Yes, indeed. Follow me.”
Matt’s office was just as expensively modern as the waiting room. With floor-to-ceiling windows and one wall covered entirely in leather-bound volumes, I was half tempted to as if he had read them all, but nerves got the better of me.
“Did you bring what I asked for?” Matt asked, stepping behind his large glass desk and sitting in a high-backed leather chair.
“Oh yes.” I rummaged in my purse and retrieved my driver’s license. Passing it over, I then perched cautiously on the edge of one of the equally uncomfortable leather chairs in front of his desk. How could something look so good and yet turn ass cheeks numb in seconds?
My heart skipped a few nervous beats as Matt studied my driver’s license, and then he smiled politely and slid it back across the desk toward me.
“Everything seems to be in order.”
“Great. I mean, good, yes. Of course.” Trembling fingers clutched at the license as I shoved it back into my purse, then I cursed internally for stumbling over my words. Now was not the time to give into my nerves, despite the frantic urge to strip off my skin just to calm the waves of hot flushes.
“Is it just us?” I asked, scanning the desk for whatever I was expected to sign, but no paper was in sight besides a black leather booklet.
Matt didn’t reply. Instead, the other door in his office, which was framed by two sets of shelves filled with framed certificates and awards, swung open and in walked two men.
One was tall with thick, dark brows and striking green eyes, much like mine. His goatee was well-trimmed, and his dirty blond hair was swept up on his head without a single strand out of place. Dressed in a smart blue suit that moved with him like a second skin, he strode right up to the desk and a large smile broke across Matt’s face. The second man, very muscular and dressed in all black, stayed near the door with his hands crossed at his wrists in front of his body.
“Toby! I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
“Just a little midday traffic,” Toby chuckled in a deep voice. “You know how it is.”
Toby.
My chest seized and warmth flooded my cheeks as I stared up at this stranger. This man was my brother.
“Indeed,” Matt chuckled, and he nodded to the guy at the door. “Can’t you get your security to do something about it?”
“If you find someone who can change my red to greens, I’ll pay him double!”
That other man was security? It was an alien concept, but it made sense given what I’d read about the Ashbluffs and how rich they were. Matt and Toby talked like old friends, a stark change from how formal Matt had been with me. It was difficult not to let that tidbit run rampant through my mind. For the umpteenth time since I’d arrived in New York, I wished I wasn’t alone.
“Oh, this is Scarlett. Scarlett Parker.” I stood as Matt introduced me and just like that, the air changed like a sudden cold snap had swept straight through the office. The smile faded from Toby’s face when he turned to me, hand outstretched in greeting. He didn’t even look me in the eye.
“Toby Ashbluff.”
“Yes,” I nodded and grasped his hand. “I know who you are.” The handshake was brief, with Toby barely even clasping my hand before he pulled away and adjusted his silver tie.
“Let’s get this over with.”
