“Out of college?” Gabe asked, and I nodded. “That’s smart. I wish I’d taken some time off, but I jumped right into getting my MBA and then worked. Spent four years doing time at another firm before I came here.”
“Victoria Hent?”
“That’s me,” I answered, giving Gabe a goodbye glance before following the man in and leaving Gabe alone with Allison. I wondered how long it would take for her to dig her manicured nails into him.
At home I had never felt out of place, but here I did. I needed to adjust to the business world—the heels and dresses, the skirts and silk shirts. After two years of wearing jeans and T-shirts, I was out of my element. And women like Allison knew that.
I feigned a smile at the camera as they shot my picture for my badge, hating how I couldn’t shake the shadow that was hovering over my confidence. After receiving my badge, I was directed to exit the room and take a seat in the room across the hall.
A classroom. I sat, nervously wondering if that was the last attention I’d receive from Gabe until he pulled out the chair next to me and sat. Badge in hand, he said, “So where were we?”
I peered over my shoulder, looking for Allison to come trailing in.
“Hughes,” he said, and I scrunched my brow. “My last name follows yours.”
There was something bashful about the way he said it, and I couldn’t hide my smile.
“That’s convenient,” I said, finally finding my voice.
“Very.”
A confident answer that had my insides twisting into knots. But this wasn’t a bar. It was work, and I needed to stop, or I’d be in an HR nightmare.
“You were saying you wished you’d taken time off before working,” I said, trying not to get lost in his gaze.
His features took on a faraway look before he focused back on me. Rubbing his jaw, he said, “Yeah, that would have been nice.”
More people came in, filling the space around the U-shaped table. My nemesis missed her chance at Gabe’s right side, much to my relief. Not that my reaction made any sense. For all I knew, he had a girlfriend. He was entirely too good-looking to be single.
As the man next to him diverted his attention, I looked around the room, taking in all the unfamiliar faces until the trainer entered to start the first class. After a round of introductions, she singled out Gabe, who had since taken his jacket off, leaving him even more distracting.
“Gabriel—”
“Gabe,” he corrected her, receiving a nod as she made a note on her paper.
“Noted. Gabe, you’ll be with us for the first few weeks to acclimate yourself to the company, then you’ll head to the floor. The analyst team is particular about scooping their new hires up fast and putting them to work, especially one with your experience.”
“Understood.”
My gaze dropped to my hands. So, he wouldn’t be spending the next three months with me. I supposed it was a good thing since I had licenses to study for, and he would continue to be a distraction if my drooling over him didn’t get me fired first.
Allison raised her hand, a smug look on her face. “I have plenty of experience as well. Shouldn’t I be heading to the floor instead of staying here? I’m licensed, after all.”
Gabe sat back in his seat, and I glanced over at him, seeing how his eyes had narrowed. Then again, there were several dagger stares being directed her way.
“I’m afraid not. Traders start here and stay here until you’ve mastered the system and the firm’s standards. Don’t worry, you’ll be on the floor soon enough.”
As our trainer asked if there were any more questions, I snuck a peek at Allison. Her lips were pouty, but her eyes were on Gabe. As happy as I was that our trainer had put her in her place, I still didn’t think I could compete with her. She seemed too perfect, even if she was annoying and obvious.
I smoothed my hand over my skirt, wishing I was in jeans and a sweatshirt, bundled up in my parents’ office with a cup of coffee, until I glanced at Gabe and saw that his focus was nowhere but on me. He gave me a flirty smile, which caused my stomach to somersault, and suddenly, I wasn’t so worried about Allison.
“Do you want to grab lunch with me?” Gabe asked as I rose, stretching after a three-hour session that made my eyes droop. “I mean, since we have to leave the property to get something.”
“Sure,” I answered, my heart reminding me it was there.
“Great, you can tell me more about this business your parents own, and I’ll drive. In the mood for anything?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know the area yet. I just moved here this weekend. I’m still shuffling boxes around to find things.”
