INTERVIEW

December 28th

Cracking open my window, I inhale the fresh, winter air. The cold wind breezes in and I lean closer to the door, willing it to cool me down.

“Don’t be nervous. You’ve got this,” Lizzy says, trying to reassure me.

If only her encouraging words were enough to calm my racing pulse. I’m literally sweating and feel like I’ve just run a marathon. My hands are so wet, I’m forced to move the phone from one hand to the other so I can wipe them dry on my dress slacks.

“What if they think I’m a joke?” I whine. “It’s not like I have actual experience. Hell, I haven’t even had a real job in years.”

The knot in my stomach grows, my insecurities tightening their hold on me, and I whimper.

I’d been both thrilled and surprised when I got a call from EJ Photography yesterday asking if I could come in for an interview today. Out of all the places I’d submitted my resume, it was the only one I had any interest in. Photography has always been a passion of mine. I’d even been studying it in college before I dropped out. Though the job posting was for an assistant and office manager, I assumed they’d still want someone who had at least worked in the field before. And while my time helping Christopher start his firm more than qualifies me for the job, I didn’t expect anyone else to see it that way.

“I’m not sure I’m the right person to be giving motivational speeches,” Lizzy cracks. “What would you say to me if the tables were turned right now?”

Moaning, I roll my eyes. I’ve always been much better at giving advice than taking it. “I’d probably tell you to suck it up and put your big girl panties on. If they don’t hire you, it’s their loss.”

“Well, there you go,” Lizzy chirps. “Get in there and kick ass. I should get inside. I’m already running late. Let me know how it goes.”

“Will do. Bye.”

She disconnects the line and I drop my phone on my center console. Taking deep, calming breaths, I gather my things, then get out of my car, studying the building as I approach it. EJ Photography is in a cute little office building in the “downtown” square of Smyth. It’s one of those old brick buildings that have been here since the early development of the town back in the 1900s. There’s a cute little wooden sign with the EJ Photography logo on it hanging from an iron post by the door, keeping with the feel of the older building. I love everything about this place already, and my gut is telling me it’s all too good to be true.

“Hi. Welcome to EJ Photography,” a young woman greets me as I step inside the door. She has incredible vibrant red hair and a dazzling smile. She’s stunning—tall, slender, and perfectly put together. If I hadn’t already been feeling inadequate, I would be now. “I’m Roxy,” she offers, standing directly in front of me now. “How can I help you?”

“I’m Julianna Monroe,” I reply, stuttering through my words. “I’m here to interview for the office manager slash assistant position.”

“Of course! Welcome, Julianna,” she beams, her tone and demeanor almost over animated, as if she’s trying to impress me and not the other way around. “EJ is out on assignment, but he should be here shortly. Come on in and I’ll show you around.”

Returning her smile, I nod as she motions for me to follow. Her hands wave about as she leads me through the building explaining what and where everything is, but I’m too distracted by the beauty of the photography surrounding me to understand what she’s saying. This clearly isn’t your typical family photography studio. These are real pieces of art—moments, scenery, and even common objects captured in a captivating way, turning everyday life into something more…something beautiful.

“I’ve been working with EJ since he opened this office,” she tells me, coming to a stop in front of a small office in the back. “It’s only been the two of us until now. The business has grown so much lately, I’m no longer capable of giving him all the support he needs. That’s where you come in.”

“So, we’d be splitting the responsibilities?” I ask, hoping my disappointment at the thought isn’t too evident in my tone. Two people doing the same job can get messy. Not to mention, it could prevent me from getting full time hours. And I need all the hours and money I can get right now. I need my own place and life back.

“No. I was originally hired to answer phones and make appointments. I’ll be going back to my job, and you will be taking care of everything else.” She lets out a nervous chuckle and eyes me as if trying to gage my reaction. “The man can be demanding, and I’m ready for him to be someone else’s problem.” She clamps her mouth shut, pressing her lips together as she shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “I’m doing an awful job pitching this job, aren’t I?”

“It would take a lot more than a difficult man to scare me away from this opportunity,” I retort. EJ can’t be any harder to work with than Christopher. “Besides, I think I’m the one who has to do the impressing today.”

“Oh!” She claps her hands together in excitement. “Did I not tell you? You’re our only applicant. EJ left the responsibility of finding and hiring someone up to me. So, if you still want the job, you’re hired.”

My mouth drops open as her words sink in. Hired.

“Really?”

“Yes, ma’am. If you’re brave enough to take it on, it’s yours.”

“Wow,” I breathe. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she jokes. “EJ can be a handful, and he’ll still want to meet with you. He should be here in—”

The chime of the bell on the front door sounds, interrupting Roxy, and she smirks. Even though we can’t see who walked in from where we are, she seems certain it’s him.

“EJ!” she calls. “Your new office manager is here!”

“Okay, Red,” he answers, his voice strained and choppy, as if trying to catch his breath. “Have her wait for me in my office. I’ll be right in.”

She gestures for me to step inside the small room we’d stopped outside of, then slips away, and my nerves go back into overdrive as I take a seat.

My knee bounces and I chew my bottom lip, waiting and listening for my new boss. When I hear Roxy speaking, I lean closer to the door, nearly straining my neck to understand what she’s saying more clearly.

He asks her about me, and she tells him I’m very pretty. A smile blooms on my face, flattered to receive a compliment like that from someone as gorgeous as Roxy. But my face quickly falls right along with my stomach the second I remember it’s my boss she’s saying that to.

He scolds her for trying to play “matchmaker,” and their voices become hushed. Hurried footsteps begin to echo around me, and I stiffen, holding my breath as someone blurs past me. He stills once he’s behind his desk, allowing my eyes to bring him into focus, and I gasp as all the air leaves my lungs at once.

This can’t be happening.

His head snaps up and his eyes widen.

“Jules?”

Confusion then surprise washes over his features as he rubs the back of his neck, mumblings I can’t understand streaming out of him. It’s clear he wasn’t expecting me today any more than I was him. As my own shock begins to subside, my heart sinks. There’s no way he’s going to let me have this job. It was only two days ago he was telling we need to stay out of each other’s lives. Working side-by-side every day would be the opposite of that.

“Eric, I didn’t…” I come to my feet, shaking my head as tears threaten to spill down my face.

My knees wobble, threatening to give out, but I brace myself and stand a little taller. My eyes dart to the door as I contemplate running, but he moves to stand by me, blocking my path.

“So, you’re my new office manager?” he asks, his words low and unsure.

Lifting my eyes to meet his, I’m surprised to find his expression filled with concern instead of the anger I was expecting.

“Did you know about this?”

“Not even a little,” he grits out.

“I’m sorry. I should go.” My shoulders fall in defeat as I step around him.

“Jules, wait.” His words are pleading as he grabs my hand to stop me from leaving the room. His warm palm sends a shockwave through my body, and I jerk away before turning to face him again. “If you still want the job, it’s yours. Just be here first thing tomorrow morning.”

His gaze never fully meets mine, preventing me from getting a read on what he’s feeling. At the moment, I’m not even sure what I’m feeling. A part of me knows taking this job is an awful idea, but there’s a much bigger part that knows I need this job, and maybe even a sliver that’s excited about the prospect of spending so much time with him.

“Okay,” I exhale, nodding. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When he turns and moves toward his desk, I retreat, needing to get as far away from him as possible and quick.

Roxy calls after me as I hurry by her for the door, but I can’t bring myself to acknowledge her, knowing that I may not be coming back. Eric being EJ changes things for me, and it could be a deal breaker.

It never occurred to me that EJ could stand for Eric Justin, I had no clue that he was even still interested in photography. As far as I knew, he’d given that up after high school. Of course, we haven’t been friends for over seven years, I imagine there are a lot of things I don’t know about him—just as there’s a lot he doesn’t know about me.