Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 209(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 209(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
My phone pings alerting me to a message.
Cameron: Do you work tonight?
Shit. Looking at the time, I have to get my ass in gear, or I’m going to be late. Just because I want a career change doesn’t mean I want to be fired. I quickly fire off a one-word reply to my brother, that I know he’ll hate, and rush to the shower.
Me: Yes.
I hear the text alert while I’m in the shower, and I know it’s Cameron. I quickly wash my hair and body, skipping over shaving. There is no time for that, and no one is going to be touching the goods anyway. I’m barely dried off when I slip into my clothes and grab my phone.
Cameron: What time?
Cameron: Why are you ignoring me?
Cameron: Marley, is everything okay?
My brother, always the protector. He was the same way with me in college. If he didn’t hear from me, he would call, and he even went as far as to drive to the airport, getting ready to hop on a flight. To say he’s protective is an understatement.
I ignore his messages and finish getting ready. I’ll call him on my way. I speed around my tiny apartment and am ready in record time. Just as I’m getting into my car, my phone rings again.
“Yes, my dearest brother,” I answer.
“I’m sorry, I was looking for a Marley Smith,” a professional feminine voice replies.
“I’m so sorry. This is Marley. I was expecting a call from my brother,” I explain lamely. Shit. Shit. Shit. Great way to make a good first impression, Marley.
“I have an older brother.” She laughs. “My name is Carol Bartlett. I’m calling from the human resources department at Morrison Hotels. I just so happened to be sitting at my computer when your résumé came through.”
I dance a little jig, hands in the air, and hips swaying from side to side, and I silently celebrate this phone call. “Yes, ma’am,” I finally reply.
“We’re in need of a marketing executive. It’s a director position. We know you are newly graduated but we feel that you would be a great fit for our organization and can learn and grow with the company.”
“That’s amazing,” I say, not bothering to hide my excitement.
Carol chuckles. “I was hoping you would be available for an interview this week.”
“Yes, of course. Just tell me when. I’ll make it happen.”
“Perfect. How is tomorrow? Say two o’clock?”
“That’s perfect.”
“Great. Just come to the main entrance of the hotel, and ask for me. I’ll try to be there when you arrive. If not, they’ll page me.”
“Thank you so much, Ms. Bartlett.”
“It’s just Carol. I look forward to meeting with you,” she replies, and the line goes dead.
“Yes!” I shout as my phone rings again. This time, I look at the caller ID before answering. “Yes, brother dearest,” I greet Cameron.
“Why are you ignoring me?”
“I’m not. I was in the shower, getting ready for work. Chill out.”
“Old habits die hard.”
“Did you need something?”
“I’m meeting Eli for dinner tonight at The Wine Cellar. We’ll stop at the bar and have a drink to see you.”
My good mood deflates. Not just because I’ll have to see Eli again, but it finally hits me that it’s his hotel that called me for an interview. As much as he annoys the hell out of me, he was nice the last time I saw him. I’m going to have to swallow my pride and let the teasing and pain he caused me as a kid settle in the back of my mind. I want this job. I need this job, and I’m sure being snarky with my new boss would be frowned upon. Maybe working at The Wine Cellar isn’t going to be that bad for a little longer, I think, as I ponder my options. Regardless, I’ll interview. It’s a good practice.
“Marley?”
“Are you checking up on me again?” I ask, ignoring the turmoil turning inside my head.
“No. I’m having dinner with my best friend who’s finally back in town. We just so happen to choose the restaurant where you work.”
“Uh-huh, I’ll see you tonight. I need to go.”
“Love you, Mar,” he says as I end the call. He’ll bitch that I hung up on him later, but I don’t care. My head is a jumbled mess, from extreme high to extreme low. Maybe I can work with him. I mean, how often will we really see each other anyway?
Tonight has been busy for a Wednesday. I guess the universe knew that my mind needed to be occupied with something other than my interview tomorrow for a job I can’t take.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I look up to find Eli. Tramping down a snide remark, I go for casual. “Hi.”
“I’m meeting Cameron,” he explains as he slides onto a stool.
“Yeah, that’s what he said. What can I get you to drink?”