hurry to get moving, so I had time to straighten my skirt and check to make sure my blouse hadn’t come untucked. The only business-appropriate clothes I owned were the ones I’d bought for my hostess job—nothing but black pencil skirts and white blouses. They would have to work until I got paid.
As the elevator slowed to a stop, I summoned every bit of confidence I had and stepped out, determined to at least look like the person Tessa thought I was.
Fortune smiled on me. As soon as I turned to the left to look for Tessa’s office, I saw her coming toward me with a wide smile. She picked up her pace and met me partway.
“I’m so excited you’re here,” she said, her enthusiasm washing over me like sunshine.
“Thank you.” Why couldn’t I be as warm as Tessa? Still, she’d hired me because I was intimidating, so maybe she wouldn’t mind that I didn’t sound as friendly toward her as I felt inside.
I watched her closely. She did seem to relax a little, so some of my worry dissipated.
Tessa waved for me to follow her into her office and sit down in front of her desk. Then she handed me a clipboard. “I just need you to fill out this paperwork. Once you’ve done that, I’ll introduce you to Mr. Jennings and show you around your workspace. We’ll spend the morning getting you settled in and organized, and there will be a few training videos you’ll need to watch throughout the week. Most of those you can do at your desk.”
“No problem, Ms. Young.”
“Call me Tessa. We keep things pretty casual around here.” She paused a moment. “Although, for the next few weeks, you probably need to be as severe and formal as possible. Your number one priority is to keep all the lovelorn women around here away from Mr. Jennings’s office unless they’re scheduled to be there. Think you can do that?”
The whole situation struck me as funny, so for the first time that morning, I managed to smile. “Not a problem. I guess it’s a good thing I’m not here to make friends.”
Something about what I’d said made Tessa look concerned. “If you ever need one, remember I’m in your corner.”
Since I’d never been good at making friends, her words meant more than she could possibly know. “I still don’t understand how this all happened, but I want you to know, despite how crazy it is, I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
Before Tessa could respond, something behind me caught her attention. “I hope you still feel that way at the end of the day. Now, I’ll leave you to get that done while I go take care of another matter.”
She stood up then and went to the door, tugging on her skirt as if she was nervous. Whatever it was, I hoped I’d be able to help her with it. But for now, all I could do was get this paperwork filled out.
I set my bag down on the seat next to me and got started. I’d only gotten a couple of pages into it when my phone vibrated in my bag. Since I was alone, I hesitated only a moment before pulling it out to see who had messaged me.
Good luck on your first day!
My brows scrunched in surprise. I’d only told one person about my new job. Damien?
Of course.
How did you get my number?
Off your rental agreement.
Oh yeah. Feeling dumb, I kept my response simple. Oh.
And now you have my number. Keep me posted on how it goes!
Well, they gave me a name badge and paperwork to fill out, so that’s a good sign this is real, right?
I’d say so.
I felt awkward not responding again, but I didn’t really know what else to say.
So weird. Did I have two friends now? Just like that?
When Tessa came back, she seemed more at ease than when she’d left. “Come on. Let me take you to your desk.”
I grabbed my bag and took the paperwork with me since I still wasn’t done with it. We passed the office directly across from Tessa’s and continued on to a small alcove. My desk stood in the front corner of the alcove, behind a chest-high counter that would allow me to keep an eye on the comings and goings down the hallway. The desk itself was sleek and dark with a large, flat-screen computer monitor and wireless keyboard, a phone with a built-in transfer system, and various office supplies.
As I sat down