“Thank you for hiring me for the internship, Mr. Evans,” I said and then sat down as soon as he did.
Come on, remember me. Look at me!
“Amy in Human Resources has mentioned you to me several times over the past few years. You’ve shown the most dedication and drive out of anyone who has applied for an internship here. It would be foolish on my part not to hire a young man as put together as you are for an internship.”
I was humbled that he had such compliments to hand to me but also disappointed that my name meant nothing to him. Especially since he’d been hearing about me for the past six years. How could he not remember?
“Thank you, Mr. Evans. I’ve wanted to work here ever since I can remember. I always wanted to go into finance,” I explained.
Always … since I found out you were going into it.
“That’s excellent to hear, Riley. There will be many opportunities here,” Griffin said as he leaned back in his leather chair.
He eyed me for a moment before he gripped the armrests, pulling his shirt tight across his chest. Griffin’s strong jawline was chiseled perfection, just like the rest of him was.
“Evans Financial is rich in tradition, Riley. Our fundamentals are family-oriented. Do you know what our motto is?” he asked me.
I cleared my throat and nodded.
“Yes, sir. It’s ‘Treat every client like family,’” I answered him with confidence.
Griffin tilted his head to the side slightly, as if he were surprised that I had been able to rattle it off. He smiled at me, baring his perfect teeth before nodding his approval. The nod of approval from Griffin made my cock begin to swell. I could feel it throb and pulsate inside my jeans, and I couldn’t wait to take it in the hand that Griffin shook.
“Sounds like you’ve read up and done your homework, Riley. I think you’re going to fit in just fine here.” Griffin continued to nod.
I didn’t have to read anything about the company’s history.
Griffin opened his top drawer, pulled out a small black box, and took the lid off. He emptied the contents of the box into his hand, pushed it with his finger, and then held it out to me. In the palm of his hand he held a Michigan lapel pin. The “M” was yellow, and in a cursive font, it said “Wolverines” across it. I stared at the pin that was slightly thicker than normal.
“This is for you, Riley. Ever since I learned that you might be coming on board with us, I held on to this for you.” He stretched his arm across the desk toward me, and I leaned forward to accept it. “From one Wolverine to another.”
I could barely find words. My fingertips touched the palm of his hands as I collected my gift. He was acknowledging we had college in common.
“Thank you,” I finally managed to say.
“Wear it with pride. You should be proud,” he said.
As he pulled over the notepad, I removed the tight rubber backing, pushed the pin through the thin material of my sweater, and reached under the hem to secure the pin. I straightened it and then looked up at Griffin. To me, his eyes showed that he was proud to see the pin on me. He gave me a nod of approval as he stared at the pin and then glanced down at his notepad.
“What are your goals, Riley? How far do you want to go?” Griffin inquired as he picked up the heavy writing instrument.
“The top or as far as you’ll take me, sir,” I answered assuredly.
Griffin set his pen down on the notepad and laced his fingers together. His eyes studied mine as if considering me more seriously.
“This will be the last place that you’ll ever work, Riley.”
“I’m counting on it.”
