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Didn’t matter that I really shouldn’t have been buying myself a cup of overpriced coffee. I had to make things right.
“Nonsense,” he said, getting back into line and drawing me with him. He looked down at my suit, then returned his mesmerizing gaze to my face. “Do you work nearby?”
“I hope to,” I said as we inched forward in the line. “I just had an interview.”
“Well, then, I have to buy you a coffee now,” he said.
“What?” I yelped.
“For good luck.”
I completely lost the ability to speak as he graced me with another dazzling smile, then looked me over appraisingly. “Something with caramel? Or are you more of a purist?”
“Oh, caramel, all the way,” I said, getting goosebumps when he chuckled.
“So you like things sweet?”
“Not always,” I replied, trying to look mysterious.
Was this flirting? And with such a suave, sophisticated older guy? I’d had no time for dating since starting college, and the boys in my high school were all stinky savages as far as I was concerned, so staying home to study seemed the safest bet. This man in front of me would have been exactly my type, if I’d bothered to give it any thought. It wasn’t just the fact that he was beyond gorgeous. His good-natured smile after my blunder, and his take-charge attitude in choosing my drink added to his charm.
Everything was already going so well after my positive interview. Was it going to be a fantastic day?
When our drinks were ready, I crossed my fingers he’d ask to sit down with me. I was even working up the nerve to ask if he had time to stay and chat. But Brooke came in as soon as he handed me my caramel macchiato, his fingers brushing mine and causing me to wish Brooke wasn’t such a good friend.
She rushed right up to me, eager to hear about the interview, saying she didn’t have much time.
The handsome dreamboat only chuckled, revving up my heart rate. “Maybe I’ll see you around again if you get that job,” he said, leaving the shop.
Jenna barely noticed him, pulling us to a table. I stared after him until he was out of view, then shook it off. It was a nice interaction, but of course, it couldn’t be more. He’d bought me the drink for good luck, so I took a long sip before we started micro-analyzing every part of my interview.
It wasn’t ten minutes into our conversation that I got a text from an unknown number, and after I read it, I let out a squeak.
“I got the internship,” I said, holding the phone out to her to confirm. “Right? I’m not dreaming? I’m really starting tomorrow?”
Brooke confirmed it with a laugh, jumping up to order cake to celebrate. Yes, this was a fantastic day after all, and things were looking up. I pushed aside the mountain of other problems that still weren’t resolved to enjoy my slab of carrot cake. Even through the excitement and relief, I couldn’t get my mind off that mysterious man.
Would I really see him around again? It shouldn’t be a priority, but I sure did hope so.
Chapter 4 - Lev
Everything was all set up and going to plan. Vera was delighted at the prospect of having another helper around the office, only giving me a bit of pushback when I gave her all the details.
For a brief moment, it looked like she might argue, seeing right through my obvious ruse to get Jenna on board. Vera and I had worked together for a long time, and she was sharp as a tack, working her way up through the family business over the years. She had settled in well up here in San Fran, and our little lobbying firm was growing more powerful by the day, mostly due to her hard work.
“Look, if you’re not impressed, you don’t have to hire her,” I’d told her, meaning it.
However, ever since Jenna scurried off the day after Christmas, foiling my plan for a fling, I’d been looking into her, trying to find the perfect way to finally meet her.
It was already impressive that she’d gotten into Berkeley with a partial merit scholarship, and even the fact that she was somewhat struggling now didn’t dim my view of her. Who didn’t get overwhelmed during their first year in college? She never gave up and was a hard worker according to Katie, who was constantly talking her out of getting jobs so she could concentrate on her studies. I admired her tenacity, never giving up even when she got knocked down.
According to my research, Jenna was also trying to get a job at a clothing boutique, but I’d make sure she was too busy for that soon enough.
No, the shine hadn’t gone off my girl in the slightest, and Vera had to admit she was impressed after her interview.
“I’m happy to hire her,” she said, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. “So, are you just trying to help out your brother’s sister-in-law, or has the perpetual bachelor finally been caught?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, but she could see right through me.
