Page 3 of Catalyst
When I’m done showering, I get dressed, taking my time to pick the perfect outfit. My closet consists of a lot of versatile pieces to better prepare for whatever temp job is sent my way. I stick mostly with secretary-type jobs, but there have been a few random positions I thought would be fun. One time, I got to be a bingo manager for a casino outside of town. It was highly disappointing because all I did was make sure people got paid the right amount when they cashed out instead of getting to call out the numbers as I thought I would.
Being a temp isn’t exactly the dream job I fantasized about when I was growing up. I mean, what little girl dreams of being at the beck and call of some uber-wealthy CEO? Not me. I wanted to be a clown. Which, in hindsight, wasn’t ideal either.
I still don’t know what I want to be. Life hasn’t really worked out the way I thought it would. It’s actually been kind of shitty to me if I’m honest, but hey, without the rain, you’d never get the flowers.
I figure one of these days, I’ll find the job meant for me. Although, I’ve been saying that for the last five years and I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. I’m twenty-seven years old and as lost as a wandering lamb about to dive off a cliff. Let’s hope my shepherd comes to save me soon. Eh, who am I kidding? The dive might be kind of fun.
I make my way back downstairs, my navy blue pencil skirt smooth and my white button-down crisp. I’m feeling more ready for my day than I was the first time I came down.
“You have five minutes before you need to leave. I made you a sausage, egg, and cheese burrito and wrapped it in some foil. Don’t eat it until you get there. Otherwise, your pretty blouse will be ruined.”
Okay, white might not have been the best choice for me. Do I take the chance of ruining it with my clumsiness? Fuck it. I feel put together and ready to conquer. Plus, I keep extra shirts in my purse for such occasions.
“Thank you, Sue. I love you, and I’ll see you tonight!”
“Go kick some corporate ass!”
I laugh as I run out the door, the burrito warm in my hand. I do as promised and wait until I park before I start eating it. Gathering my things, I head into the building while I take my first bite. Damn, that woman can cook.
I was told to enter the building from the side door, which makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong since, in any other circumstance, I wouldn’t be allowed to use this entrance. It opens into a stairwell, so I head up to the third floor as I finish my burrito. There was probably an elevator on the other side of the inner door, but the exercise will be good for me.
Shoving the ball of foil into my bag, I open the third-floor door to a large office space with glass walls closing off the outer offices and grey cubicles with short walls spanning the middle of the room. There’s a flurry of activity happening throughout the room as people start their day. The vibe feels way more chill than I anticipated.
Following the email’s directions, I walk toward the back of the space where a small alcove holds three offices, all with frosted-glass walls. The one in the middle is set back from the other two, making a small U shape. Plaques on the doors indicate these are Matthew’s and Adam’s offices.
The one in the middle is Tessa’s, and since the door is open, I peek inside. The office is surprisingly large, with a pretty oak desk, two visitor’s chairs, and a paisley-printed couch with a coffee table in front of it. Oddly enough, there’s no one here. Of course, that makes me nervous that I’m in the wrong place, so I pull up the email again. Confirming I am in the correct location, I decide to start snooping while I wait.
I mean, this is going to be my office soon. Shouldn’t I have free rein to check it out?
One wall holds a second door I assume leads into Adam’s office, which seems super handy. Against the other wall is a coffee bar to rival any fancy coffee shop. I can’t wait to try it out.
There are photos hanging behind the coffee bar. One is of Adam and his brother, Matthew, in front of the very first Sidelines store. Another is of a woman with dark brown hair standing next to Adam. Both are grinning.
“That was Adam and me after we started the Fit for All foundation.”
I turn at the voice. The same dark-haired woman in the picture is standing in the office, only now, she is heavily pregnant. I make a mental note to do more research on Adam’s charity. From my brief search last night, I know they give out sports equipment to kids who can’t afford to buy their own.
“I’m Tessa. Sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. These babies enjoy kickboxing my bladder until I’m about to explode.” She grins at me as she waddles across the room to the couch.
“Babies, as in plural?” I ask, my eyes wide as I sit next to her. The idea of popping out even one baby has me clenching my legs together.Ouch.
“Mm-hmm. Twins, and they’re growing like weeds. Just between you and me, I am very grateful the doctor is forcing me to start maternity leave early. The guilt of not working when Adam needs me is huge, but I am exhausted, and it’s only nine in the morning.”
“I can only imagine. Just tell me what I can do to make things easier, and I’ll do it.” I really don’t want to be the reason these babies come early, so whatever hoops I have to jump through to keep Tessa on the couch, I will gladly do them.
“Could you grab my tablet from the desk?” Her grimace tells me she hates having to ask.
I jump off the couch, grabbing it and the mug of tea sitting on the edge. When I hand them both over, Tessa sighs in gratitude. “You are a saint. And you’re going to do brilliantly here.”
I frown. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you noticed that I would likely need this mug of tea before I even asked, and that level of awareness will serve you well with Adam.”
“So I passed the test?”
“Wasn’t really a test until I realized I also left my mug over there and didn’t ask you to bring it.”
“Fair enough. What else do I need to know about Adam?” I grab a notebook from my tote bag to start taking notes. Tessa lifts an eyebrow at my purple pen but doesn’t say anything. Sure, it has feathers and a little plastic peacock on a spring, but it makes me smile. Who wouldn’t want to use a pen that makes you smile?
