A short time later, Kieran delivered me to Delta June’s, introducing me to a few people we passed, then handing me off to Zena, the woman he claimed was one of their most valuable receptionists. He kissed me before exiting the same way he’d come, promising to see me tonight for dinner.
I watched him walk away, then forced thoughts of him and Knox out of my mind. I had one thing to focus on today, and I needed all my wits about me to do that. After all, I’d never done an interview before.
“Would you like some coffee?” Zena offered when I walked into my office.
I turned to face her, taking her in. She was a beautiful woman with a beaming smile, shoulder-length brown hair, and thick bangs that formed a pretty fringe over her gray/green eyes. “I would, please. Get yourself some, too, and we’ll talk for a few minutes.”
Her smile was warm and friendly, and I was grateful for that. My stomach was knotted with nerves, and I knew the only way I would make it through the day was if I had someone I could lean on.
Zena disappeared only to return a few minutes later with two mugs of coffee and a small silver tray with cream and sugar sitting on top, the setup denoting the time and care she’d put into preparing it.
“Where did you work before you took the job here?” I prompted, adding two cubes of sugar and heavy-handing the cream.
“I worked for O’Rourke Investments in the UK.”
Explained her accent.
“I’m here in the US temporarily. Came to assist with a project, brought my husband so we could explore. Then this opportunity arose, found it too exciting to pass up.”
“And Kieran willingly let you go?”
“I requested it,” she said, looking perfectly at ease to be having this conversation. “I don’t have anything against the finance industry, but this…” She waved a manicured hand. “Delta June’s is one of a kind.”
I could’ve told her she was wrong about that since there were other auction houses that were equivalent to what Knox had prepared this one to be, but I didn’t. I liked the fact that she wanted to work here.
“Tell me about you. Are you married? Kids?”
“One husband, three grown children. Two sons and a daughter. My youngest got married last May.”
“Grandkids?” I prompted.
“Five. Three granddaughters, two grandsons. No pets because I’m allergic.” She canted her head, her expression turning thoughtful. “I love to read and travel and hang out on social media in my spare time.”
She was delightful.
I relaxed even more, took a sip of coffee. “I’m new at this.”
“I know.”
“I mean, really new.”
She laughed, brushed her fringy bangs out of her eyes. “I know that, too.”
“I’m going to mess up.”
“If you didn’t, I’d be worried.”
I exhaled, grateful for her ability to tease me. “I’m probably going to mess up today, even.”
“Well, what if I make sure that doesn’t happen?”
I giggled. “I wish that was an option. But I’ll settle for you keeping me on track if that works for you.”
“I can do that. Your first interview is in twenty minutes.” She sat up straight, motioned toward the closed MacBook on my desk. “Each calendar invite has an attached resume as well as a shortlist of their main qualifications. I just skimmed the resumes, pulled out things I thought you might find helpful.”
I opened the lid, watched the screen come to life.
“Your temporary password is on a Post-it in your top drawer.”
