If only someone had been there to give Brooke the same advice.
“I see you’re as jaded as ever,” Mac quips, nudging his old friend.
“With good reason.”
“I’ll take jaded over shady any day.” Jalen shrugs. “At least I know Rich has my back.”
Brooke could’ve used someone like that at her side.
“I’m not about to let an overzealous reporter ruin your endorsement opportunities.” Rich smooths the front of his shirt. “You focus on your performance and I handle everything else. That’s the deal.”
“Yeah, well, not everyone takes their responsibilities so seriously.” Jalen turns to us, a sheepish smile on his face. “My first agent screwed me over and things got ugly before we parted ways. I was lucky to connect with Rich last year.”
“I’m glad things worked out for you.” Even if they had to get ugly first. “It sounds like you have a good thing going now.”
They’re so at ease with one another and it’s clear Rich truly cares for his client. Sure, he’s paid to look out for Jalen’s best interests, but it’s obvious he takes pride in his work, protecting his clients from predatory behavior.
This is how it should be.
“On that note,” Mac says, checking his smartwatch. “We should get moving. The aptitude test starts in ten minutes.”
We say our goodbyes and then he crooks a finger, gesturing for us to follow.
My stomach drops.
Devin was right. Not knowing is the worst. He catches my eye and mouths, “You good?”
I nod, though I’m not sure it’s true. “You?”
He shrugs and we trail after our competitors, who are right on the professor’s heels.
Mac leads us down the corridor to a glass-walled conference room where four laptops have been set up.
So much for memorizing the coffee order.
“Please take a seat.” Mac waits, giving us an opportunity to settle into our temporary workstations. I’m seated across from Devin with Kali on my left and Preston on my right. “You have thirty minutes to complete the test. It’s unlikely you’ll finish, but answer as many questions as you can in the time allotted. This assessment measures your problem-solving skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, and your ability to learn, process, and apply new information.”
Oh, is that all?
My palms begin to sweat and I wipe them on my thighs.
“A bit of advice,” Mac adds, stepping toward the door, a sympathetic smile on his face. “Go with your gut and don’t overthink the situation.”
I glance at Devin and our eyes lock.
If only it were that easy.
41
PARKER
“Thank you for your time.”I stand and reach across the table to shake hands with each member of the interview panel. It was a surprisingly easy process, like talking with four old friends, and though they didn’t mention the results of the aptitude test, I must’ve passed.
Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t be here.
I’m the last candidate to be interviewed, which means I’ll be top of mind when they sit down to make their final decision.
At least, I hope that’s how it works.
