My Alpha and Beta

Ch. 3 - The Interview

Riley POV

I did exactly as my father had said. I emailed the company in Seattle, Brookstone Inc., the second I got home accepting their offer. It was only 3 o'clock because my father refused to let me come with him for his treatment. I wasn't expecting a reply from them the same day but within an hour I had an email requesting a video interview tomorrow.

I couldn't help but squeal in joy. I of course accepted and then cleaned my horribly smelling apartment. I still can't believe I let it get this bad. I'm normally so put together, but ever since I lost my mother my emotions are all over the place. I seemed off balance without her and nothing I did seem to make me feel like the women I was.

I know it's normal to feel lost after losing a parent but this was something else. I never really connected with anyone my entire life. I felt like an alien that didn't belong except when I was with them.

I tried to be friends with kids in school but we just never really clicked. We would hangout and have fun but never anything deeper. I dated a few boys but it always turned serious to quick for me and I bailed. Every since college I just had little flings with a few men that knew we were about one thing only.

I wanted to be loved like my mother was from her husband but I just never felt it. A part of me even felt like I was betraying someone when I slept with other men. Not that it stop me but how messed up is it to feel like you owe some stranger a piece of you. At this rate I'll probably never met that perfect guy for me anyways.

———

The next morning I was up at five with way too much energy. The interview wasn't until 10 but I wanted to know if I had a real chance to continue my career or not. This past month I felt hopeless with the complete silence from the outside world other than Becky.

By 8:30 I was sitting at my desk fiddling with my pen waiting for the meeting to start. I quickly got bored and decided to look at the housing in the area some more. The apartments were pricey in Seattle but if all went as planned then I could afford it. I wanted to get a three bedroom, hoping I could convince my dad to live with me. It was a long shot but if he was moving to a new city with no friends then we should stick together, atleast in the beginning. I know I'm a daddy's girl and I don't mind it one bit.

My laptop started ringing and I nearly jumped at the sound. I quickly hit accept and nervously flattened my hair.

"Hello, Ms. Parker. I'm Gina, Mr. Brookstone's assistance."

"Hi Gina. It's nice to meet you."

"Thank you dear. I'm going to patch you through now."

"Thank you!"

The screen went blank then an image of the most gorgeous man I ever seen appeared. His skin was milky white, eyes bright sky blue and hair short dirty blonde. I could only see from his chest up but I knew from his defined face and broad shoulders he had a muscular body. His face was chiseled in perfection but his eyes were soft and kind. If this was my new boss I prayed he was faithfully married because damn, I was going to get in trouble.

He cleared his throat with a sly smile and I widened my eyes. "I'm sorry Mr. Brookstone. The image was a little blurry but everything is clear now. My name is... "

"Yes, I know who you are Riley Parker. Please call me Jax. Mr. Brookstone makes me feel old."

"Of course, my apologies Mr. I mean Jax."

I tried playing it off like I wasn't drooling over him but I knew from his smirk he saw right through me. The rest of the interview went well except for me stuttering, losing my train of thought more than once, and my stupid mouth that kept calling him Mr or Sir. It was an old habit from Darrell. Everyone had to address him by his last name out of respect. Only when we worked alone did he let me call him by his first name.