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“Okay,” I said, eyeing her skeptically. “But what’s the position for? And why do I feel like it’s illegal to apply to a job for someone else?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t know but you’re running out of time. Now go.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?” I asked, taking a bit of the sandwich.
“They had a general applicant form. I filled that out. There, happy?
***
Fifty-five minutes later I found myself sitting in The Beckford Group’s building, in the human resources manager’s office, interviewing for a real job.
“I was impressed by your resume,” Jerry Allton said. “But why did you leave your job at Williams and Sons for freelance work?”
Jerry was handsome. He had brown hair that was swooped to one side, wore wire frame glasses, and I could tell he had a good body under his black suit. He was also probably in is late thirties and I briefly thought about how an older man might be good for me, someone stable. He wasn’t wearing a ring…
“I had a baby,” I said, wondering if that would be a mark against me.
“Oh, nice,” Jerry responded with a smile. “That was probably great for both of you to spend that time together.”
“It was,” I answered. I wasn’t about to tell him that I had no choice because of my dead-beat ex-husband, but it was nice to be with Lily.
“You and I are both fighting Bulldogs. I went to Penndel University too.” Jerry pointed to the pennant to my right that I hadn’t noticed.
“No way,” I said, a little too enthusiastically.
“Sure did. But Just a few years before you.”
“What dorm were you in?” I asked, genuinely eager to make a connection.
Jerry leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his brown eyes. He looked almost boyish, like I could tell he was someone who liked to have fun. But at the same time, there was something calming about talking to him. He was perfect for his role, putting people at ease in a stressful situation.
“If I told you I was in the ‘good’ dorm, would you know which one I meant?”
“Murphy,” I answered with a shrug. “Any Bulldog would know that.”
Jerry laughed. “Of course. Did you fare as well with housing selection?”
I shook my head. “No. I spent two years in O’Brien and then moved into an off-campus house. But let me guess, you were in Delta Tau Phi.”
“Is it that obvious?” Jerry laughed.
“I might’ve spent some…most nights at those parties.”
“Well—” Jerry straightened his diamond patterned tie— “they were the best. Okay, before we call down a Bulldog rabbit hole, I’d better get this back on track, despite how fun it is to reminisce. Do you have any questions for me?”
I smoothed down my brown dress slacks. I agonized over what to wear but was pleased I went with the chocolate pantsuit and white button down. I paired it with beige heels and gold jewelry, and I felt confident and capable.
“Do you like working here?” I asked. Neither of us had mentioned my connection to Kyle and I certainly wasn’t going to bring it up.
“Honestly, I do. Best job I ever had. I’ve never worked for a company that trusts its employees so much. There’s not busy work, there’s no stretching out the day, plus, we get catered lunch every Friday. Overall, it’s a great place to work and I myself have no plans on leaving.”
“I appreciate your answer, Jerry,” I told him. And, I was feeling like he was being honest, too. Sometimes, you just had to let the vibe of the place guide you, and despite knowing that Kyle was somewhere in the building and could see me at any point, I was getting a good vibe.
Thoughts of Kyle and that night flashed back as if they were happening in the present. Embarrassed, skin flushed as I tried to push them away. I had to get over him at some point and maybe working with him would be like exposure therapy. I’d see him often enough to get over.
At least I hoped that was how it worked.
“Well, we’ve covered everything and I’m pleased to announce that I’m offering you the position,” Jerry said, smiling and holding out his hand.
