What do I do? Hailey knew she could either slink out of the building and pretend this morning had never happened, or if she did, she’d be turning her back on the sliver of hope that had gotten her here. Didn’t she owe it to herself not to walk out on an opportunity that could change everything?
It won’t change you, though, and that’s your biggest problem. Hailey nodded her head sagely at her thoughts. But she argued that maybe with a consistent job with consistent hours, she could also become consistent.
One thing she knew for sure was that she couldn’t stay there. Hailey left the safety of her stall and, moving to the sinks, rinsed her mouth several times. With cupped hands, she took a sip of chilled water, and her condition improved immensely.
She reapplied her pink bubblegum lipstick and smacked her lips a few times before exiting the bathroom.
“Here’s the key. Thanks again, Amber.”
Amber looked up from her computer; her expression showed a keen interest in Hailey for the first time that day. “There has been a change in your interview appointment. Mr. Lewis is taking the overflow applicants this morning and has directed me to send you to his office. Just head left until the end and turn right. You can’t miss his office as it’s the only one. Good luck, Ms. Carberry.”
Hailey took some deep breaths as she walked down the hall to Mr. Lewis’s office. She found it amusing that the hiring team also had a Mr. Lewis, and wondered he was related to the owner, or was it was a coincidence to have more than one Mr. Lewis?
Outside the enormous wooden door with the glazed doorknobs, Hailey took a moment to compose herself. After a few deep breaths and straightening her clothing one more time, she knocked on the door.
“Enter.”
The voice that beckoned wasn’t harsh, but it was commanding, and Hailey opened the door in haste to obey the command, and she tripped and fell into the room. She flung her hands out to stop herself from hitting the carpeted floor with her face.
Hailey was about to crawl right back out the door and run for the elevator when hands helped her to stand.
“That was quite the entrance, Ms. Carberry. Are you all right?”
Hailey brushed off her skirt and then peered up into the slightly amused eyes of the sexy man from the diner. No way! This had to be one of those reality TV things with hidden cameras everywhere. In fact, that explained the friendly greeting from Amber when she stepped off the elevator. But you never knew; maybe there was money involved in the gig if she’d play along. One thing Hailey knew how to do was act a part. She’dbeen doing it for years now and was sure no one knew who she really was. How could they when she barely knew herself?
“I’m fine. Mr. Lewis. May we begin?”
He eyed her suspiciously, then beckoned to one of the two chairs facing his desk.
Hailey sat stiffly in her chair, keeping her face blank. Mr. Sexy—Lewissat behind his enormous desk, which was reminiscent of the Victorian era, and Hailey wondered if the desk served any nefarious purposes. She was thinking the entire thing was a joke and a cover for a game show or some twisted club where rich guys find unsuspecting young women and get them to do embarrassing things for kicks.
“Can I get you anything before we begin?”
Hailey raised one eyebrow provocatively. “Anything?”
Hailey noticed the crease that formed between his eyebrows and knew she had him off balance. Good. Now he knew how she felt. A little push hurt no one, she rationalized.
“Could you please give me details from theAnythinglist? I’m curious about what your list of ‘anything’ includes.”
Mr. Lewis’s eyes darkened from light gray to almost black, causing Hailey to gulp. The intensity coming from him surrounded her, filling the room with a charged energy.
“I think you should share what you would like to have on that list, Hailey, and please, call me Halstrom.”
“Halstrom?”
“Or Daddy, if you prefer. You strike me as the type of young woman who could use a daddy’s guiding hand.”
He spoke so casually, as if the topic was as mundane as the weather. But his eyes and growly voice were not casual, and Hailey wondered how much of what he said was for shock value. She questioned how long she could keep up the role-playing and who would watch the video once it was done.
“If that’s the case, Daddy, let me ask, do you spank naughty girls over your big, wooden desk?”
Halstrom’s eyes glittered dangerously. “Would you like to find out, Hailey?”
Crap! Now, what should she say? Hailey was way out of her depth with this man, and she was sure he knew it.
“Look, I don’t know what type of game you’re playing, but I hope it includes a paycheck. But for now, a bottle of water will suffice, thank you.”
Hailey breathed a sigh of relief when Hal broke eye contact with her to retrieve a bottle of water from a fridge she hadn’t noticed before, as it was part of what she’d thought was a wall, but turned out was shelving in disguise that covered one wall of the office. She wanted to roll her eyes at the boujee display of wealth. It was like the fridges people had built-in, so it appeared there was no fridge at all and just a wall of cupboards. What was the point?
