Princes of New York | Mat Barzal

~6~

THE NEXT MORNING
I wake up before Mathew and shower and dry my hair. I'm just finishing doing my makeup when he comes in the bathroom, plants a kiss on my cheek and hops in the shower without saying a word. I get dressed for the interview and drink my coffee at the counter with Mat. I say goodbye to him before taking his Audi to the interview. The employer and I previously mentioned having a lunch interview so I was meeting him downtown for lunch. Once I arrive, I see Robert Donovan from the Athletic standing outside the restaurant. I parked and gathered myself before stepping out of the car. "Nice ride!" He comments when I approach him. "Thank you, it's actually my boyfriend's." I say, chuckling.

"So." Robert starts as he plants himself in the chair at the table. "You graduated from Stony Brook University?" He adds. "Yes sir, I majored in journalism." I say. We chat for a bit about someone he knew that I happened to be friends with from one of my classes as the waiter came over to take our order. "So, we mainly need someone to cover the Mets and Nets for right now. The job would entail reading over the articles sent to you by the writers and to make any changes and send them back. We have several writers for each team; we actually just brought someone on to edit the Islanders articles." My heart skips a beat when I hear Mathew's team. "So you'd be editing about five or six articles a day unless there happens to be other articles based on team happenings other than the games we need done. Typical work day is 9-4. Do you think that would work?" He asks. Without a doubt I say yes because Mat's games don't start until 7. We spend the better part of an hour talking about what the job would entail. I keep hidden that I'm dating an Islander. I don't want my job to come from who I know in the sports world. We laugh and chat while we eat until the waiter comes back with our check. I lay my hand on the little folder it comes in but not before Robert snatches it from my hand. "I don't think so, it's my pleasure to treat you to lunch." He says.

He pays the bill and we get up to leave. Once outside the restaurant, he turns to me and says "Well, Alexandra, I think you'd make an excellent candidate for the position. I will let you know by the weekend. It was such a pleasure meeting you." He says, extending his hand for me to shake. I shake his hand and say "Thank you so much, Mr. Donovan." I say, smiling. He pats my shoulder and gives me a quick smile before turning away and saying "Have a safe ride home!" "You too!" I say back before unlocking the Audi and hopping in. Once settled and the door is shut, I let out a huge sigh of relief; I nailed it. And I couldn't wait to go home and tell Mathew.

I park the Audi in the attached garage and then I take the elevator up to the floor where our apartment is and then I head all the way to the end of the hall. I unlock the door and find Mat just zipping up a garment bag. He turns his head over his shoulder and smiles when he sees me. He lays the bag over the back of the couch and comes to hug and kiss me, immediately wanting to know how the interview went. "It went so well, we talked for so long and he thinks I'd make a good fit." I explain. "Babe, I'm so proud of you. After the awards, we should celebrate. When we get back to Canada we'll go out for a nice dinner, how's that?" He rambles. "We should wait and see if I get the job first." I say, laughing at his enthusiasm. "What's in the bag?" I ask, brushing my hand over the black bag. "My suit for the awards." He states. "Can I see it?" I ask, slyly. "No you can not." He smirks, picking up the bag and whisking it away to our room.