“So, you’re interning with the cops?” he asks.
I nod, taking a moment to swallow before responding, “Yep. I’m working in the Crime Analysis Unit, but yeah, it’s with the cops. I just handle tasks in the lab.”
“Good for you. I’m not a fan of those asshats, but good for you.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, some of them are asshats for sure, but not all of them. I like it so far. We’ll see how it goes.”
Once I finish my sandwich, I glance at my phone. If I start walking now, I’ll make it to the bar just in time. I stand, collecting Howie’s trash along with mine. “I’ll see you later?”
“Don’t let them get to you,” he mumbles.
EIGHT
“That badge is not valid, ma’am.”
I’ve never been called ma’am before, and I’m not sure if I like it.
“It has to be valid, though. The receptionist made it for me just yesterday.”
The officer on security duty tries scanning it again, but the sound the machine makes isn’t reassuring. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you have to go through the security check with the visitors.”
I bite my lip. Everything is going wrong. I’m going to be late on my second day too. It’s just perfect. If I keep messing up like this, Sophia will definitely take back her job offer.
“We can bring her in with us, Joey,” a kind voice says behind me. I turn around and look up at Josh. “She’s Sophia’s new intern. I can vouch for her.”
The security officer simply shrugs. “Sure, the badge seems legit. It’s just issued under the wrong name.”
I roll my eyes.Margaret, you scrawny assed bitch.
“Let me guess, it’s for a Karen?” Clay chuckles from behind Josh, and I only notice him now.
“It is!” The security guard says, looking down at me. “Is that your name?”
I’m about to say no when Clay says, “It is now.”
Josh guides me into the building, and once we’re a few steps away from the crowd at the entrance, I turn to him. “Thanks. Getting back in line would have sucked.”
Josh places a hand on the small of my back and gently nudges me to keep walking, but he presses on a bruise, which makes me flinch. “No problem. Let’s get your badge fixed.”
I step away from him, and his hand falls back to his side. “No, that’s okay. I’m already late and need to find my way to the lab. I’ll take care of it after work.”
“Don’t be silly,Karen.” Clay pulls out his phone from his pocket. “I’ll text Sophia and let her know why you’re running late.”
I glare at him, but when I turn around, we’re already standing in front of the reception desk, and Josh smiles at a grumpy-looking Margaret.
He takes the paper from my hand and hands it to her. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?” he asks, attempting some small talk, but she merely raises an eyebrow at him. It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one she hates. “So, the badge you made for Carolina has the wrong name on it, and she can’t use it like this. Could you please make her a new one?” he asks her in a much more polite tone than I would have.
Margaret takes the paper from his grip and scans it. “What wrong name? You told me her name,” she says. “Here, Karen Costa, just like you told me.”
“It’s Carolina,” I say, and she shoots me a glare.
“Why didn’t you tell me that yesterday?”
“I did,” Sophia says from my right. I turn as she approaches, smiling at me before addressing Margaret. “It must have been a misunderstanding.”
The old lady’s expression softens. “Oh, I’m sorry, honey. Of course, I’ll change it. I’ll have her badge done this evening.”
Sophia pats her wrinkly hand. “That would be so nice of you. Thank you, my dear.”
