I’m glad for the swift intro and directions. It leaves no time for nerves.
“Hi.” I smile at the pretty, petite girl behind the reception desk.
“Madeline Cunningham?”
I nod. “That’s me.”
“Lovely to meet you. Follow me, Nadia is ready for you.”
After completing the onboarding process, filling out all the paperwork, and receiving all my IT equipment, Nadia escorts me to my desk.
“This is you, here.” She points to a large corner desk. It’s still part of the open floor plan, but it seems grander than everyone else’s. “Not a bad view. Huh?”
We’re on the sixth and top floor, so the views of Mercer and Spring are unbelievable. My attention turns back to the main floor, where I’m separated from the others.
“I love it. May I ask why I’m sitting over here?”
“Most people sitting in the bullpen are intern architects, designers, and junior designers.” She points to the far corner, where a desk is separated, just like mine. “That’s Linc, he’s in a similar position to you.”
“Oh, okay.” I set my bag down and run my fingertips over the glass desk. I shyly grin at Nadia, watching me with a soft, motherly look. “Sorry. It still feels surreal.”
She rubs her hand up my arm. “It’s an incredible company to work for. Leo asked to see you when you’re ready. I can bring you now or come back later.”
“Now is great,” I beam.
I follow her across the sixth floor. She points out the bathrooms, kitchen, and all the essentials. “Here he is, on the same floor as you.”
“Thank you so much, Nadia. I’ll drop off the rest of the paperwork tomorrow.”
“No rush, by the end of the week is fine.” She backs up, waving, “If you need anything, my extension is in the pamphlet, but it’s 1-1-4-4.”
“Easy enough. Thanks again.”
I turn toward Leo’s door, and I see him through his glass-walled office, sitting at his desk, staring at me with a big goofy smile plastered across his face, but the person sitting across from him is the one who puts the smile onmyface.
“Knock, knock.”
Big brown eyes that remind me so much of my best friend’s shine bright as I walk through the office, right toward her.
“Aunt Maddie!”
“Claudina.” She throws herself at me, her pigtails whip me in the face, but I still easily pick her up and snuggle her close.
“I wanted to surprise you on your first day. Were you surprised?”
“Totally.” I pull her in tighter. “I missed you, little one.”
“I’m not little anymore.” She giggles.
That sound warms my heart. “You’re not, are you? You’re almost seven, but you’ll always be my little one.”
“I haven’t seen you in a long time.”
Guilt eats at me. “I’m sorry. Now I’m living in New York, and I’ll see you all the time.”
“Yay. Can you come over for dinner tonight?”
I chuckle at her enthusiasm. “How about I call your dad today, and we’ll set something up.”
