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They chuckle a little and the two of them move their seats closer to me in order to begin the interview. Reminding myself that I need to close my mouth, I find it a miracle that I could even remember my name.
But I did it.
Two
David
Something about her is striking.
I just don’t know what yet. I rub a hand along my chin, watching her and her mannerisms. Despite being nervous, she’s making mincemeat out of James with her answers on some things. Like her quip about having a good work ethic. What did she say?
Oh! I held myself in check as she stared back at James cockily, “Everyday I get up and look through the Forbes list of richest people in America, and if my name’s not there, I go to work.”
Remembering her face as she walks into the conference room for the first time, I had to keep myself from laughing out loud because she seems so overwhelmed. In an interview with us for us—an executive assistant to help with the papers and errands that our engineering outfit now needs.
Poor gal. Everyone gets nervous for a big interview.
I listen as James asks her about her work experience. Watching as she speaks about her experiences, I see the beauty before me settle into her own, becoming less anxious as she talks.
I lean back in my chair with an arm laying on the dark walnut conference table. Playing with a pencil, turning it over so the point hits, and then back so that the eraser hits, I continue to listen to her comments and laughter.
Not only is she fantastically gorgeous, which alone is enough for any man to beg her affection, she has poise and an air of self-confidence that I find simply captivating.
I smile and fit in a few words here and there, but I allow James to take the lead on interviews. He’s more serious and always seems to know the right questions to ask.
I sit up looking directly at her emerald eyes. “Can you tell me how you deal with pressure or stressful situations? Sometimes it can get hectic around here, especially when we add another contract.”
She looks at me and smiles, “You mean besides keeping a pistol in the drawer?” she says comically. “Seriously, being a waitress is a stressful career and I just go around the corner for a minute to catch a breath.”
“But how would you deal with it here?” I push the probing question a little further.
Lily stares back at me blankly. “I could keep a nightstick in the drawer and beat them off.” Realizing the words that flew out of her mouth, I watch as she turns the vibrant shade of pink. Her sandy blonde hair and green eyes make it pop even more.
James and I look at each other and have a good laugh. Lily finally relaxes again and starts to laugh along with us. “I like a gal with a good sense of humor,” he says, straightening himself up.
“And that there will get you far in this business,” I say pointing a finger at her like a cocked gun. “Good job. Even if the words betrayed your meaning,” I flash her a debonair smile as I begin playing with the pencil again.
James clears his throat and his face gets a little more serious. “Can you tell me, what makes you think that you’re a good fit for our company?”
Lily sits there for a moment, most likely checking her wording before she opens her mouth. You know, making sure her brain is engaging before her mouth wrecks it all. “Well,” she begins.
“I’ve had much to manage over the last five years. Taking care of my ailing mother, working doubles sometimes for extra money, cleaning my place and Mom’s place is a real juggling act.”
“I see,” James says as he leans back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. “How is your mother, I mean how sick is she?”
Lily looks at him with eyes that could make a drill sergeant cry. “Umm, she’s not well. Dementia is taking a toll on her and it’s sad to see her deteriorate like this. She’s always been so strong.”
She dabs at her eyes with a tissue from her bag, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get emotional, especially here.”
I look at her with compassion and tell her, “It’s okay. The way it is around here is like family. We care for the people we employ and their lives, not just treating them like livestock.”
She makes a faint smile and meets my eyes. I’m not sure, but I could swear that there’s some sort of connection. Nah! Couldn’t be and afterall, I’m looking to hire her. In my book this interview is over.
She gets my vote for executive assistant.
While that thought runs through my mind, some reminders of her take root in the dark place up there in my head. She’s not only beautiful and confident, she’s got a great sense of humor and seems to clique with us.
James taps my forearm and draws me out from a deeper mind swirl. I look over my shoulder at him to see him nod. Yes! He must have felt the same connection and had a gut feeling that she’d be perfect for the position.
