"Good. I want it, too."
Brooke
Afterourlazydayyesterday, Dustin drove me to O'Hare and dropped me off at Arrivals. The traffic controllers looked at us funny, but they had bigger issues to deal with. Like, apparently, a driver who put their hazards on and then exited their vehicle to pick someone up from inside. I kissed Dustin with fervor before he pointed to the time and encouraged me to go look like I just flew from New York to Chicago.
"I love you, Brooke. You can do this."
"I love you, too. Thank you for everything, babe."
I shook my hair out as he pulled away from the curb, trying to look travel-frazzled. Checking my phone, the flight just touched down, so the car picking me up should be here relatively soon. Pulling up the email, I re-read the information for the zillionth time. A black sedan will pick me up outside of the Gate B arrivals.
After waiting what I assume is an appropriate amount of time, I respond to the email notifying them of my arrival. Moments later, they confirm that a black Toyota Corollawill be here momentarily. I swivel my head around, trying to pick out what the hell a Toyota Corolla is. After another five minutes, my phone rings with a Chicago number.
"Hello?" I answer.
"Hi there, this is Leah. I'm picking you up—just about to your gate, I believe. Are you in a long tan coat?"
I look down. "Yes, that's me."
"Great!"Click.
A black sedan honks in front of me, and I jump. That's my ride, I guess. This whole charade makes me feel slightly icky, but I'm not about to feel bad for a gigantic corporation blowing a few hundred dollars on airfare. This is nothing but a drop in the ocean for them.
Leah isn't one for talking, which suits me just fine. She's a very competent driver, though. She weaves through traffic in record time and drops me off at the front entrance of the massive Atmosphere building in the Loop. I hold back a snicker as I realize how close this is to Dustin's condo. I could have walked here, if not for the silly airport charade.
"Thanks, Leah."
"No problem. I'll be here after your meeting to take you to your hotel. Have a good one," she rattles off before driving away.
I'm here. The silliness of the airport runaround whooshes out of my body with my sigh. I have no idea what I'mabout to walk into. My heart beats in my throat, and my hands shake as I pull the gigantic glass doors open.
A tall blonde woman and an even taller dark-haired man are waiting for me. Kelsey and Peter Navarro, I assume.
"Welcome to Atmosphere, Miss Dunne!" Kelsey chirps.
"It's Moore. But uh, thanks."
"Oh? I must have outdated records. My apologies—we'll get that fixed. If you'll just follow us, we are so eager to discuss your role with us—coffee? Water?" She beams at me with the customer service smile that most corporate people have perfected.
"Uh, no thank you."
The elevator ride is shorter than expected after she presses the button for the fiftieth floor. My ears pop on the way up, and I try to yawn surreptitiously.
"Tired from the flight?" Peter asks with a smile.
"Huh? No—well, maybe." I try to laugh off my almost-flub. "It's been a minute since I've been on a plane."
"Happens to the best of us." The elevator doors open, and he ushers me through.
Kelsey leads the little group down to a conference room that looks shockingly like the ones DropTop has. A postmodern table with paperwork and refreshments is surrounded by executive desk chairs. Does every company use the same furniture supplier?
"Please, sit here." Kelsey points to a chair behind a neat stack of paperwork. I comply because what else am I going to do?
"So, first of all, thanks for meeting us." Peter spreads his hands in a welcoming gesture. "I understand the situation might be a little delicate. I apologize for any emotional distress."
"Uh, thanks, Peter." I force a tight smile.
"Please, it's Pete. I'll get straight to the point. Dustin's notes on DropTop were immaculate—as they always are—and he spoke particularly highly of you, your team, and your organizational skills. I recognize that statement may be a little fraught, considering… well, considering what happened. However, here at Atmosphere, we trust yet verify. And his account has been verified. Frankly speaking, how interested would you be in training for Onboarding Director?"
