Page 77 of All the Ugly Things
Hudson returned minutes later and knocked on the doorframe before reentering the conference room.
“Brandon had to use the restroom. He’ll be here in a minute.”
This was happening. My palms went clammy and I pressed them to my thighs. I was sitting here. Interviewing for a job. All the nerves I’d tried to fight back all day bubbled and threatened to boil over.
“Okay,” I rasped, my throat parched. I reached for the bottle of water, but as I did, my hands shook. I shoved them back to my lap.
Across the table from me, David smiled at me in an understanding way. “There’s no need to be nervous. Brandon’s a good guy.”
Beyond David was a massive wall of windows, highlighting the Des Moines skyline and the bright shining sun. The peace of the view did nothing to quell the racing of my heart.
Hudson waited in the doorway, leaning against it like he was relaxed, but as soon as he glanced down the hall, he stood, back straight, hands to his hips. The easy look he had when he arrived vanished and hardened.
My pulse kicked it up another ten notches. At this point, I was at risk of a heart attack.
His demeanor changed so suddenly, I felt my own posture respond in response right before he stepped into the room and another man followed him.
“Lilly. This is Brandon.” He waved his hand out to the side.
Brandon walked in, similarly dressed as Hudson in dress pants and a golf shirt with two bold strips across his chest. Their clothing were the only similarities. Where Hudson was sharp lines and olive-skinned and jet-black hair, Brandon’s was side-swept and sandy brown, looking more surfer boy or Abercrombie model.
His dark, piercing blue eyes held me hostage, though. They were tight, along with his lips and the way he held himself said he wasn’t exactly thrilled to be here meeting me.
I glanced at David to see his own expression had gone weary.
“Lilly,” Brandon said, and came toward me with the grace of a panther and the friendliness of an alligator.
I stood, shoving back my chair so harshly in surprise I stumbled over it, almost falling into him.
A furious heat hit my cheeks as I stammered, “Hi. Sorry. Lilly… so nice to meet you.”
He shook my hand, warm and strong, and I cringed at the sweat on my palms. If he noticed he didn’t react, but those blue eyes of his narrowed.
“Yes. Nice to meet you.” He stepped back, dropping my hand.
It was a lie. That much was obvious and sour milk curdled in my stomach. How was I already blowing this so badly?
“So, Hudson tells me you’re here to interview for an assistant position with my assistant, Sandra?” As he asked, he swung his gaze toward Hudson and David, brows lifting on his forehead.
Both of them nodded. It was David who said, “Yes.” And patted the chair next to him at the conference table.
Oh God. Nerves pricked at my fingertips for an entirely different reason. Had he not known? He seemed as equally uncertain as David appeared confident.
I closed my eyes and blew out a breath.Of course.
This had to have all been some kind of setup. No wonder Brandon looked pissed. I doubted he had any idea about this until a few minutes ago.
But this wasn’t an opportunity I was going to pass up, not now that I’d decided to take the plunge. I cleared my throat and waited until three sets of male eyes focused on me. “Can I please… can I please speak with Brandon alone?”
Hudson pushed from his perch at the doorway and stepped toward the table, placing his palms at the edge. “Lilly.”
His tone was edged with a warning, one I quickly dismissed.
“I’d like to do this interview with Brandon alone,” I said quietly but managed to strengthen my voice.
Across from me, Brandon looked impressed and slowly, his tightly pressed lips lifted into the hint of a smile.
“Yes, Hudson,” he drawled out, twisting to face him. “Give Lilly and me a few moments to discuss the position.”
