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Amber
As I gazed at the man from last night, the owner ofMarcello’swho had ruined my sister’s party, my career flashed before my eyes. All the vulgar things I had yelled at him last night came back to me like the Ghosts of Embarrassments Past. Any hope that I had for the job disappeared. It was over. Even if I had a good rapport with Jude, there was no way I could recover from last night.
The man settled into the chair and then looked at me. There was a sparkle in his green eyes, and his lips twitched in a smile.
“Owen March,” he said, extending a hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Ms… Moltisanti, was it?”
Confused, I shook his hand. “Um, call me Amber.”
“Amber.” He leaned back and grinned wider. “I like it. We’re a casual place, here. Except for this guy.” He nudged Jude with his elbow. “Always dressing up. Believe it or not, this is casual for him! He usually shows up in a jacket and tie. Don’t know what’s gotten into him today. Casual Friday, maybe.”
I stared at Owen and realized,he doesn’t recognize me.
I felt like a mouse who was caught in a trap, but hadn’t been noticed by the cat yet. Shock paralyzed me in my chair. How long until he did recognize me? Or would he at all?
“We’ve already been over her relevant experience and education,” Melinda said, “and we’re going over the compensation plan now.”
Owen glanced at Jude. “Is she legit, Boston?”
Boston?I wondered about the nickname.
Jude never took his eyes off me. “Her experience is indeed legitimate.”
“Awesome! Fucking awesome.” He turned back to me. “Ifthisguy says you’re up to snuff, then I believe it. He’s the smartest guy I know. Do you have any questions for us? The compensation package is generous. Has to be in order to compete for talent in this city.”
“The compensation is fine,” I said numbly. I was still kind of in shock. “I don’t think I have any questions.”
“Good, good!” Owen said amicably. “And there’s more benefits that aren’t listed on the sheet. Informal stuff. I’ve got season tickets to the Warriors, if you ever need tickets. I also own a really swanky bar here in the city. It’s a great place for meetings. If you work for ACS, you’ll get to drink there for free. And it has akillerrooftop bar with a view of the city. If you ever want to have a party or something up there, just let me know. We’ll clear the space.”
My shock wore off at the mention of the rooftop deck. The pain from last night, and the embarrassment, returned tenfold.
I was broke. I spent the last scraps of my bank account reserving that rooftop for my sister’s birthday party. And this guy, this tech-bro, had taken it away on a whim. Even though he had everything he ever could have wanted.
And he did it with such a cavalier attitude that hedidn’t even remember doing it to me.
I glanced at Jude and remembered what he had told me five minutes ago:I’m sorry for last night. He wasn’t just apologizing that it had happened—he was apologizing because he was directly responsible. It was his work meeting with the investor that had led to me getting kicked out. He had let it happen.
All the new, raw feelings I had for him flowed out of me like water running downhill.
“Uh, Amber?” Owen said with a little chuckle. “Earth to Amber? You awake? Melinda, can we get her some coffee? I know the feeling, trust me. I feel like a zombie in the morning before having my first cup of Rancilio Egro espresso.”
Suddenly there was another pro and con list forming in my head.
Pros to Losing My Shit:
1. It would be extremely satisfying.
2. This douchenozzle deserved to be put in his place.
3. I didn’t want this job anyway. Not if it meant working for two guys likethem.
I didn’t get a chance to make the Cons list before my anger boiled over, red and hot and bright, and before I knew it I was standing up.
“You’re a real cunt,” I said.
Owen blinked in surprise. Jude sucked in his breath. Melinda jerked as if she heard a gunshot.
“Uh,” Owen said with that disarming smile. “Come again?”
