To The Rude Guy in Apartment Five - J. S. Cooper Page 0,7
then mumbled something under his breath that I couldn’t quite understand, though I was pretty sure he said something about across his lap. The tension in the air was palpable, and I was debating just leaving and going home, but then I remembered Jagger. Going back and facing him would be worse than whatever mess I now found myself in.
I was about to ask a question to change the subject, when three women ran into the office, giggling and gasping.
“Sorry we’re late.” A girl with long red curly hair grinned at us all. “I’m Millie. And this is Birdy, and this is Olivia.” She pointed at a cute blonde woman first, who looked a little nervous, and a smiling, striking black woman who had on a t-shirt that said, “You’re welcome.” I wanted to ask welcome for what, but now didn’t seem like the right time.
“Hi, Millie. I’m Jane, and that’s Magnolia.”
“Hi, everyone.” I smiled as well and then looked over at Tate, who had a bemused expression on his face. It struck me that we were five women; had he only hired women?
“I’m glad that everyone has gotten to know each other.” Tate held up his watch. “But what time do you call this?”
“Shots time?” Millie laughed and then made a face. “Sorry, wrong place and time.” She gave me a small wink, and I grinned back at her, all of a sudden feeling my stomach settling. These girls were going to be fun. Maybe working here wouldn’t be so bad after all. Jane laughed, and Tate stared at us with pursed lips.
“You five are the best candidates that the employment office could find?” He raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “San Francisco really has come down in the world, hasn’t it?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jane said in a steely voice, and I cheered for her inwardly. This guy was a douche, wasn’t he?
“Nothing. Come on, ladies. Let’s head to the conference room.”
Tate strode off ahead of us. The five of us exchanged quick smiles and headed off behind him. As I walked into the conference room, I couldn’t help but think that between seeing Jagger and starting this job, today had been one of the craziest days of my life.
Chapter Four
“Whoa, that was a long meeting.” Jane yawned as we left the conference room and headed out for lunch. “What do you think so far?”
“Honestly?” I hit the down button for the elevator.
“Yes.”
“I’m wondering what the hell I got myself into.” I laughed as we walked into the elevator. “I mean Tate seems intense, and honestly, I don’t know anything about credit.”
“Tell me about it.” She shook her head. “I don’t know how I’m meant to market this app. And make it successful. I knew I wanted a job in marketing, but I didn’t realize that I was going to be the entire marketing team.”
“I feel ya.” I laughed. “But it’s cool that we will be working so closely together.”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “So, you’re from New York?”
“I am.” I nodded. “Upper West Side. You?”
“I’m from LA.” She grinned. “My parents immigrated from Mexico.”
“Cool.” I smiled. “My dad is from England, and my mom’s parents are Italian and Irish. I’m a mutt.”
“That’s cool. Have you ever been to England?”
“I have.” I nodded. “My grandparents still live there, so we try to go every few years.” The elevator came to a halt and the doors slid open.
“Yeah, we try and go to Mexico frequently as well. I haven’t been in four years, though.”
“So, I don’t mean to pry, but what’s going on with you and Tate?” I asked as we walked out of the building and onto Jackson Street. “Also, what do you want to eat? We’re close to Little Italy and Chinatown.”
“I wouldn’t mind some dim sum.” Jane made a face. “And ugh, I can’t stand Tate. He’s such an arrogant asshole.”
“Oh, why?” I looked at her curiously. “Did you know him before this job?”
“Never met him before yesterday.” She laughed as she shook her head. “But it feels like I’ve known him forever.”
“Oh?”
“He reminds me of my douchebag brother’s high-school friends.” She shrugged. “My brother was on the baseball team, and he and his friends thought they ran the world.”
“Aw, older or younger brother?”
“Older.” She laughed. “Marco, my brother, thinks he’s my dad. And I have a dad. He acts bossier than my real dad.”
“Oh, that’s funny.” I pulled out my phone to find the closest dim sum place. “I always wished I had an older