The huge smile stretching my lips falls.
With my hands occupied, how the hell am I going to open the door?
As I peer inside, the door opens.
I step back.
A broad-shouldered man wearing a navy-blue security guard uniform stares down at me. “Can I help you?”
“Good morning.” I dial up the wattage to my smile. “My name is Harley Lancaster and I’m here to meet with Cressida Paddleford.”
“Ah.” He nods. “You’re the new hire.”
“I am.” If I wasn’t carrying this box, I’d be bouncing on the balls of my feet.
“Let me help you with that.” He reaches for the box.
“Thank you so much.”
“Come on in,” he says.
I step inside the building.
No run of the mill fluorescent ceiling light fixtures here. Instead, a retro standout light fixture made with brass plumbing pipes hangs above my head. The star features are the lightbulbs with spiral filaments.
Edison would’ve been proud.
“The elevators are right behind me,” the security guard says. “You’re on the third floor.”
“Thank you.”
He uses his elbow to press the elevator button.
The door opens.
I step inside, and he hands me the box.
“Have a good day,” he says.
“I will. Hope you have a good one.”
He responds with a chin nod.
It’s a short elevator ride to the third floor.
When the doors open, a tall brunette with blonde-streaked hair that hits her at the waist, wearing a classic sleeveless A line navy-blue dress, greets me.
She smiles. “You must be Harley. Gerardo texted to let me know you were on your way.”
“And you must be Cressida.”
“I am.” Her dark blue eyes lower for a beat before locking onto mine. “Look at you. You already bought a flower for your office.”
Did she say office?
“It’s a gift to celebrate my first day on the job.” It takes everything in me not to grin earto ear.
“I love orchids. I’ve never seen one like that before.”
