Chuckling at that image, I nearly miss it as we pull through a security gate, the guard at the gate
nodding at Jonas as we pass through. Then we’re heading past a large outdoor parking area and
around a large office building. “How many stories?” I ask as I peek up at it.
“Twelve,” Zach answers. I crane my neck to look back at him. He’s sitting in the backseat of a
minivan, and he looks like he could step right out onto a runway. Does he ever look ruffled? I wonder
what it would take? And I wonder why I’m wondering. That’s…unusual for me.
We pull into a covered garage at the back, then cross a covered walkway and into the building.
There’s no snow on the walk, but the cold seeps through my shoes, and I make a mental note to wear
my boots tomorrow.
The building is a bit of a blur. We’re through the foyer and up on the twelfth floor before I know
it. It’s a massive floor, with executive offices around the outside and glass-walled cubicles and
offices in the middle. They lead me to an office near the back. “This is yours,” Zach says. “The
marketing department is on the seventh floor, and there will be a workspace for you down there, but
you asked for an office away from the busyness, so here you go.”
I murmur my thanks and drop my heavy bag onto the desk. It’s not a huge space, but it’s nicely
equipped and has a glass door that closes.
“You’ll be spending this morning with Janey —you met her during your interview— then we’ll
head down to the marketing floor and spend some time getting you acquainted with everyone.”
“I’ll take you to Janey,” Jonas says, fingers tapping on this thigh. Zach shoots him a look I can’t
interpret.
“I can take her. I’m sure you have other shit to do.”
Jonas frowns at his brother. “No. I’ll take her,” he says firmly, then steps into the hall and gestures
for me to follow. There’s some subtext there that I’m not sure about, but it becomes clearer when we
approach a woman on the floor below. She’s a little shorter than me, dressed in black leggings and a
gray silky top. She smiles brightly at us.
“You’re here! It’s so nice to finally meet you in person. Is it ok to call you Maya? I’m Janey. It’s
my pleasure to show you around today, and help you feel settled.”
Her warmth loosens the tension in my shoulders. “Hi Janey, I’d love it if you call me Maya.”
She beams and turns to Jonas. “How are you this morning? How did the puzzle go yesterday?
How many pieces was this one?”
