Page 108 of All the Ugly Things
It wasn’t so long ago I figured I would never get a chance at a life like this.
And look at me now.
I could force myself to get over my unease with crowds for this opportunity.
* * *
The elevator was packedwith over a half-dozen bodies and the ride to the sixth floor felt like it took almost as long as the chilling walk to the building. That was probably in part because my toes were still frozen in my shoes and my stomach was threatening to revolt with every floor we stopped at, taking me higher to my new job.
Part-time.
It was just a very, part-time job.
Trying to diminish the opportunity did nothing to settle that swarm of bees now turning into an angry wasp nest in my stomach. It probably would have been a good idea to give myself time to eat this morning. That would have been better time spent than curling my hair which was now tangled and twisted. Fortunately, the other women in the elevator, myself included, spent the elevator ride running our fingers through our hair.
At least I wasn’t the only one.
When the elevator stopped at the sixth floor, Hudson’s hand, shockingly warm given he also hadn’t worn gloves, settled at my lower back and made me flinch in surprise.
He pushed me through the few remaining employees—coworkers, I guessed—and didn’t give me a moment to start a futile argument.
I’d only been to the top floor of Valor Holdings to see Hudson and David. As I mentally prepared to come in today, I tried to picture what my desk area would look like. The sixth floor was nothing like I’d been able to envision.
We stepped off the elevator and Hudson guided me down a short hallway of cubicle walls that went as high as my shoulders. Hudson smiled and said hello to several people, men dressed in suits and women in similar, professional clothing alike, until we reached an open corner near the back. Outside a wall of glass windows was a large, L-shaped cubicle. Next to it, a smaller one completely empty except for a single computer monitor, wireless keyboard, and mouse. A grin stretched my cheeks as I took it in. It was the only empty desk and looked like it’d been recently prepared with essentials.
My own desk. The urge to pinch myself to make sure this wasn’t all a dream came on strong and I barely resisted.
As we approached, I spied Brandon. Of course he had the massive corner office. He paced back and forth, speaking into a small microphone that was hooked over his ear. He wore a suit, similar to Hudson, but had already discarded the coat. It sat flung haphazardly across a tabletop with seating for six on one side of the office and his massive desk was perched right in the middle.
“Brandon can never stand still while on the phone,” Hudson said.
“Nor can he do it at any other time, either.” The woman who spoke rose from her seat at the larger of the two desks, this one covered in files and candles and photos of small, smiling faces. “You must be Lilly. Brandon told me you’d be in this morning. I’m Sandra, his assistant.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” I stepped forward and took her hand. “Lilly Huntington.”
Her smile was instantly disarming. Wide and friendly, she had pale pink lips and expertly executed makeup. Her skin was flawless, her caramel-colored hair professionally highlighted with strips of darker and lighter colors. It landed at her shoulders in a cute but still elegant bob.
“I have to tell you. Getting some help for me is the best thing I’ve heard all year, really puts me in the early holiday spirit. Brandon and I spent some time this week figuring out where to have you start but really, I think you and I will go through everything this week and I’ll let you choose what you’re most comfortable with, does that sound okay?”
“Um. Yeah.” Anticipation fluttered in my stomach.I had a job. At an office. And this woman was already so kind.“Yes, I mean. And I know I can’t do much, what with school.”
“Totally get that. I didn’t go to college until after I was married with my first baby, and I was about your age. I knowallabout balancing life and work, but that’s what makes this place so great.” She flashed Hudson a smile that was so sweet, so grateful and honest, I almost cried for her. “The Valentines are the best and they make sure to treat us like we’re theirs.”
“Sandra—” Hudson said, but she stopped him.
“You know it’s true, even if you don’t like hearing it.” From the windows in Brandon’s office, we saw him yank out his earpiece and head our way.
He wore the same ridiculous smile he wore at dinner, part-amused, part-foolish.
“Good morning,” he said, reaching us, and grinning at me. “Do I know you? Because it feels like I know you.”
“Hey Brandon. Thank you, again for this.”
“No skin off my nose. Whatever makes Sandra happy means she’ll stay and keep putting up with my crap. I’m not the most… let’s say…”
“Organized,” Sandra filled in happily.
“Disciplined,” Hudson followed.
