Our Love

Quinn

I thanked Wade for the ride and rushed into the building. I barely had a minute to spare and I hoped I could pull it together in time for the interview. Was I qualified to be an assistant? Well, not really. I attended two years of community college that I hardly considered to be helpful in a position as an executive assistant. The ad promised benefits and good pay and when I showed Brenda at the diner I was currently working at, she assured me that this was an amazing place to work, run by good people.

"Hi. Quinn Gordon. I'm here for an interview." I huffed out as I came to the main reception desk. The young woman sitting at the desk was put together perfectly, flawless makeup making me feel incredibly insecure.

"I'll let them know you've arrived. Have a seat over there." She nodded toward a seating area as she picked up the phone.

I sat straightening myself out, deep breathing to calm myself when I realized I left the few belongings I had from my car in Wade's truck. I debated for a moment to run back out to the parking lot to see if he was still there, but I didn't want to blow this interview. It was a few items, nothing super important and nothing that I couldn't eventually replace. I groaned even thinking about it. The rent on my rat trap apartment was paid for this month and I had about five dollars to my name. I couldn't replace anything at the moment and I had no idea how I would even get back to that apartment after this interview.

Before I could spiral into a full blown panic attack, I heard my name being called. I blew a breath out and plastered on the fake smile I had perfected and walked toward the young woman holding an office door open for me. I followed her down a corridor, eventually turning into a small office. She motioned for me to have a seat as she took her place behind the desk. She oozed confidence but also gave off a warm, friendly vibe.

We exchanged pleasantries and a bit of small talk, which was most dreaded for me. Keeping up with the lies about my past and having relocated here was still new to me and I had to make sure I kept everything straight. I tried to hide my nerves, fidgeting with the hem of my skirt while sitting across from such a beautiful woman.

"Okay. So, a little about the position you are here for. One of our executives is in need of an assistant. Typically we all kind of handle our own things around here, we're a small consulting firm and our staff is small as well. We've recently acquired a few new accounts and it has added the need for a little more help." She smiled with perfectly straight white teeth. I bet she wore braces as a kid and I bet she had an amazing dental plan. Focus, Quinn!

"That sounds amazing, congratulations to all of you." I squeaked out, feeling like such a kiss ass.

"Well, yes, it is. It's our job after all." She chuckled, seeing right through me. "You will spend most of your time answering the phone, relaying messages, copies, coffee, notes during meetings and things like that. Are you comfortable with that?" She leaned back, looking me up and down.

"Of course." I nodded with confidence.

I continued the interview with Carrie,who seemed impressed with me despite my lack of experience. I did a great job of talking myself up and making small jobs sound much bigger than they really were. My current job, working as a waitress? I simply described it as assisting clients in the food service industry and working in a high stress environment with deadlines while keeping my wits about me. See? Sounds pretty good when you change the wording.

"I like you." Carrie smiled. "Let me see if Mr. Mayfield is available to meet you. That's who you will be assisting." She picked up the phone, waiting and waiting with no response. "See, this is why he needs an assistant, to take my call and let me know where he is." She laughed. I waited as she dialed another extension.

"Mr. Asher, is Mr. Mayfield with you perhaps?" She asked, winking at me.

Asher? Wasn't that Wade's last name, I thought? What are the chances of that? He wasn't dressed for an office job and surely he would have mentioned it when we pulled into the parking lot if he were the owner and boss of this company.

"Come with me, you can meet them both and get it over with." Suddenly I felt a whole new set of nerves kick in. I hopped up and followed her like a lost little puppy. We weaved down a hallway and around a corner before stepping onto the elevator. "Mr. Asher is our CEO and Mr. Mayfield is at least at the moment his right hand man."

"Mr. Asher?" I asked quietly. Thinking about how I just drooled over him walking toward me while broken down on the side of the damn road.

"Yes. Do you know him?" She asked surprised.

"Maybe?" I shrugged.

"Oh. You would know if you had met him." She laughed. She was right, not sure I would forget that handsome face and now, I was about to meet him as a new employee, if he didn't decide what a mess I was and throw me out. I mindlessly nodded, trying to swallow my nerves.

When the elevator finally stopped, she stepped out, leading the way. I followed just a few steps down a small hall and to a set of dark, mahogany doors. We could hear raised voices, causing us both to pause. Carrie stepped forward through the doors into a reception area, the voices becoming louder. Another young woman sat at a desk in front of what I presumed to be Mr. Asher's office.

"What is going on?" Carrie whispered to the girl.

"Wade." She replied. I tried to catch my breath. That handsome and kind man I had just rode here with was raging like a bull inside his office. Carrie turned toward me with a half smile.

"Let them know we're here." She stood back, arms across her chest. I wish I felt as confident as she seemed to. Any longer and I'm pretty sure I was going to pee my pants, Jesus Quinn, get it together!