* * *
Maxie walked into Power and Associates, nearly choking on nerves. She was grateful for the interview and didn’t want to blow it. She’d prepped by studying the firm’s history. Elliot Power had started the firm and brought his son in with him. She’d looked into current clients and the types of civil cases they’d handled, wanting to be knowledgeable. Although this was a civil law firm and she’d specialized in criminal, she was a fast learner, and she knew she could handle things. Or so she assured herself as she walked up to the receptionist.
“Hi. My name is Maxie Sullivan. I have an interview with Andrea McDonnell at eleven.”
“One minute.”
The dark-haired woman picked up the phone while Maxie looked around. The office looked modern, a lot of black and white with sleek lines and photographs of ad campaigns surrounding her.
“Ms. Sullivan?”
“Yes?” She turned back around. “Ms. McDonnell will see you now.”
“Thank you.” Maxie followed the younger woman down a hallway and into an office.
“Come in,” an attractive redhead said, rising from behind her desk.
Maxie stepped inside and shook the woman’s hand. She settled into a chair across from her and began the typical interview process. Maxie’s palms sweat, but she did think she held her own on the why do you want to work here type questions, and the more esoteric, where do you see yourself in five years. The conversation shifted, and the subject of sororities in college came up, at which point they discovered they were sisters at different schools, and Maxie liked the other woman.
They sat for an hour after the initial questioning, talking about the job and the responsibilities, and Maxie asked her fair share of questions too. To her surprise, Andrea went over the salary, a little less than what she’d been making at her old law firm but more than livable, health benefits, and a 401(k). She’d be lucky to land this job after her first interview, she thought, her stomach twisting in anticipation.
“Well, I appreciate you coming in on such short notice,” Andrea, as she’d asked to be called, said to Maxie.
“My pleasure.” She brushed her hand down the front of her skirt and rose from her seat. All in all, she felt the interview had gone well. Now the nerve-racking job of waiting began. “Thanks for your time,” Maxie said and started for the door.
“Maxie, wait.”
“Yes?” She turned around and waited.
Andrea rose to her feet. “As I told you on the phone, we’d like to fill this position quickly. And we’ve seen a few excellent candidates.”
Maxie’s stomach fell as she anticipated the worst. “I understand.” It normally took many interviews and a lot of pounding the pavement to wind up with a new job.
Andrea tipped her head. “I hope so because none were as perfect of a fit as you.” She extended her hand, and numb, thanks to her shock, Maxie shook it. “Consider yourself hired.”
“Really?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Truly,” she said with a wink.
“Oh my God. Thank you!” She couldn’t conceal her excitement and Andrea grinned. “Welcome aboard. Why don’t you take the day tomorrow, get your things in order, and you can start on Wednesday, if that works for you?”
“Yes. Yes, it does.” It was all she could do not to tap her feet and twirl around the woman’s office. She’d done it, her interview sealing the deal.
“Let me walk you out,” Andrea said, smiling.
“Thanks.” They started for the door, and as they rounded the corner that led to the front desk, a man called out, “Andrea!”
The other woman turned.
“Is this—”
“Maxie Sullivan, our new paralegal,” Andrea said before the man, who Maxie recognized as the company owner, could finish.
“Maxie, meet Nick Power.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
He shook her hand. “Everything work out okay?” he asked Andrea.