Finn has pretty much burned it, leaving me with nothing but ashes.
***
Just as I’m about to leave the office on Thursday evening, I receive an email from Sharon and almost trip over my chair getting to my desk to read it.
TO: Millie Oaks
FROM: Sharon Glass
SUBJECT: Second Interview Request
Good afternoon, Millie,
After careful consideration, we have narrowed down our pool for the entomology director position to two final applicants.
The board of directors and I feel that the best processmoving forward will be a trial week for each applicant, followed by a second interview.
I have attached a separate document detailing the dates of your trial, as well as the responsibilities you will oversee during that week. There will be a slight delay while I attend a convention, so you will have four weeks to prepare for your time in charge of the entomology department.
During that week, you will be giving a tour of the butterfly vivarium to the interview committee. We expect to spend about thirty minutes with each applicant there, and we hope to hear your unique insights and knowledge throughout that time.
We heard some great ideas from you in your interview, and I look forward to seeing what else you share with us.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me or stop by my office.
Thank you,
Sharon Glass
Wilhelmina Natural Science Museum Director
Nausea settles in the pit of my stomach as I reread the email. While I dreamed of being handed the position easily, I know logically that isn’t how this works. I want to be the person for the job, but if I’m not, I’m reluctantly glad the committee is taking the time to make the right decision.
A small stab of betrayal pierces my heart when I realize Finn probably knew about this. Maybe that’s what prompted the coffee and the kind emails. He felt sorry for me.
Idon’twant special treatment to get this job. I want to earn it fair and square becauseIam the right choice, andIam the badass scientist who deserves it.
Four weeks feels so far away right now, but maybe it will give me the opportunity to focus and nail down exactly how I want to present myself for the next interview. Hopefully it will be enough time to snuff out the insecurity zinging through my veins, and I will be able to prove to all of them how much I deserve that job.
Chapter 9
Finn
Well, fuck.
I’ve spent a week and a half trying to erase the image of Millie bent over my bumper from my mind. The way that tight skirt showcased every curve has stolen way too many of my thoughts.
But here she is, hands on her knees as she laughs heartily, searing the view into my brain all over again.
I try my best to be a fucking professional, and I don’t stare at my coworker’s perfect ass in those tight jeans.
... for more than a few moments.
I wait for a break in the laughter, hoping Millie or the woman beside her will notice I’m here to pick up the girls from their last day of camp. But when neither of them looks my way, I clear my throat.
Millie pops her head up, wiping tears from her sparkling green eyes as she turns to me.
My breath catches. She’s shockingly beautiful, uninhibited and happy, and it takes me a second to remember what I’m doing here.
