Gorgeous: Book One (Gorgeous #1) - Lisa Shelby Page 0,4

been distracted. Off my game. I thought seeing Bryce this past weekend would knock some sense into me, but things were just like they always are.

Sweet.

Normal.

Boring.

Our relationship isn't bad, but there isn't much to it either. Bryce is obsessed with his work, and we only see each once a week, if that. It works for me, though. It's important to me to have my own life and to depend on only myself. Bryce feels more like a friend whom I occasionally have mediocre sex with. Come to think of it, I felt more in the handshake I shared with him the night of the gala than I have ever felt in the three years I've been with Bryce.

Wiping the coffee from my blouse, I hear the phone on my desk ringing, and I nearly trip over the strap of my purse sticking out from underneath my desk as I lunge for my phone.

"This is Olivia," I huff on labored breath.

"Miss Adams, hello. This is Evelyn Hunter calling from EVC."

"Excuse me?"

What is up with the universe today?

"Miss Adams, we know that you weren't interested in coming to San Francisco to meet with us, but Mr. McKinley is in Portland next week and was hoping you might reconsider and meet with him for an interview to go over his open position."

"Really? Here in Portland?" I huff, still out of breath from my spill and near-death trip on my purse.

"Yes, Miss Adams. We can work around your schedule and make it after business hours if need be. Does six p.m. Monday evening work for you? I can send you the contract so you have time to look at the offer before you meet with Mr. McKinley."

"Things haven't really changed in the last two weeks, but I thank you once again for the offer, Ms. Hunter."

"Miss Adams, one meeting. That's all we're asking. Hear what EVC has to offer, and you're free to say no after. Mr. McKinley is very persistent when he has an idea about something. It may be in your best interest to accept the meeting invite and get it over with or he may never quit asking."

I don't know if it's the two weeks of sleepless nights, the off-kilter day I'm having, or the threat of Ronan McKinley and his persistence, but I find myself uttering the last words I thought I would ever speak when I answered my phone.

"Sure, I'll meet with him. I want to make it clear in advance, though. I do not have any intention of accepting the position, but if the meeting will prevent the requests from continuing, then I'd be more than happy to meet with him."

"I'm happy to hear it, and I know he will be too. I'll get the contract over to you, and Mr. McKinley will see you at six o’clock Monday evening. I'll include the meeting address with the contract. Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions about the paperwork, Miss Adams. I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have or put you in touch with our Human Resources team."

"Okay, did you need my email address?" I ask as a new email floats into my inbox.

"No, dear. I've got it, and I've already sent the contract your way."

"Yes, I see that. Thank you."

And why do you have my email already? Creep much?

"I was able to find your information on the hotel website. Made things very simple."

That's right. She's sending to your work email not your personal email. Calm down, Olivia. This poor woman isn't stalking you.

"Again, let me know if you have any questions, and Mr. McKinley will see you next week."

"Thank you."

The sound on the other end of the line goes dead. A few seconds later, I finally hang up the receiver and hold my head in my hands.

Can I hit the reset button and start this day over?

I called and verified the address with Evelyn, but I still feel like I'm in the wrong location as my heels tap along the dock of the Portland Marina in search of a boat called The Jupiter. I know I shouldn't be here, and I know I shouldn't have worn my favorite sheath dress and my highest heels. Yet, here I am.

I also know I'm not meeting him just so he'll stop offering me jobs. I know I'm here because I want to see him again. He isn't interested in me, and he isn’t the kind of man I'm attracted to, but there is no denying