________

BRYAN

 

The wedding reception Saturday night was beautiful.  The room was decorated impeccably and the bride looked stunning.  All night I kept looking around wondering if Alistair was going to show up, and by the end of the night when I didn’t see him I felt silly for feeling disappointed about it.

 

I made a ton of money in tips that night, and as we were getting our bags Carl cornered Trevor to ask about Alistair.  I rolled my eyes and pretended to be busy looking for something in my bag because I didn’t want Trevor to think it was my idea to ask about the guy.

 

“Hey Trevor, do you know who the guy was Bryan went home with that night?”

 

As much as I didn’t want to I had to jump in because I didn’t want Trevor to think I’d had sex with a perfect stranger.

 

“Um, I didn’t end up going home with him,” I clarified.

 

I could see the light bulb go off in Trevor’s head.  “Oh yeah, that’s right! I totally forgot that gorgeous alpha gave you a ride home!”

 

Carl looked at him and I could see that he was slightly annoyed that Trevor had not answered his question.  “Yeah, the gorgeous guy, do you know who he is?  He said his name is Alistair Dibb.”

 

“No, but I overheard him talking to Joseph Devan about some kind of investment so I knew it was okay if Bryan got a ride with him.”

 

I looked at him, confusion written all over my face.  “Joseph Devan?”

 

“He’s a hedge fund manager and easily one of the richest guys in the country.”

 

Steve looked like he was going to explode with jealousy even though he downplayed his reaction.  “Oh, wow.” 

 

Based on Alistair’s house, he was probably loaded too.  Whatever, it didn’t matter because he wasn’t the guy for me.

 

Trevor looked at me, his eyes wide.  “So what happened with you guys?”

 

I casually waved my hand in the air hoping he would get the hint and just drop it.  “Nothing. He gave me a ride and that was it.” He did not need to know anything more than that.

 

He casually shrugged his shoulders.  “I would not have let that one get away.”

 

Carl came to my defense.  “He didn’t let him get away, Trevor, he wasn’t interested.”

 

“It doesn’t matter you guys, he was a guy that I met one night and that’s it. Moving on. Does anyone have anything fun planned this week?”

 

Thankfully we moved away from the subject of Alistair and we made small talk for a short while, and then we all went our separate ways.  Carl drove me home and as I counted my tips I got really excited when I saw how much money I’d made.

 

“Carl, I still can’t thank you enough for getting me this job. I am so going to be able to get a better apartment sooner rather than later. Hopefully by the end of this summer you can come see my new place.”

 

He looked over at me and smiled and then glanced back at the road, and I could see the wheels spinning again. He was up to something.

 

“You know, I was thinking that we should get a place together because that way you and I can both have a bigger place with a lot more space than if we just had our own little studio. What do you think?”

 

“I thought you liked living by yourself. I would love to get a place together, that would be cool!”

 

“It’s cool living by myself but it would be so much more fun if I lived with my best friend, so let’s do it! This way you don’t have to wait until the end of the summer to get a place. My lease is up next month so we can start looking now for something.”

 

“Carl, if you weren’t driving right now I would give you the biggest hug! I am so excited!”

 

“Perfect! Let’s call the apartment service tomorrow to get started.”

 

“Okay, cool.”

 

I spent the next day just hanging out with my mom spending quality time together, and I broke the news to her that I was going to be getting a place with Carl.

 

“Well, I’m not surprised.  I figured you and Carl would eventually decide to live together.  I’m actually happy that you won’t be by yourself.  You boys make sure you look after each other.”

 

“We will, Mom.”

 

“So, how are the interviews coming?  Do you have anything lined up for this week?”

 

“Yep, I have two this week so far and a couple next week.”

 

“Have you heard from Blocke Designs yet?”

 

I couldn’t hide my frown.  “Not yet.”

 

“Don’t worry, sweetie, I’m sure they will reach out to you.”

 

“I hope so.”

 

The next morning as I was getting ready for my first interview I quickly checked my email and there it was.  Blocke Designs wanted to interview me that Friday.  I quickly called my mom to tell her the good news.  She was finishing her coffee and was about to walk out when I ran up to her.

 

“I got it, Mom!  I got the interview!”

 

“Oh honey, that is so wonderful!  I knew they would contact you.  When is the interview?”

 

“This Friday.”

 

“You’ll do great, I just know it.”

 

“Thanks, Mom.  Tell dad, okay?”

 

“Okay, I better run I don’t want to be late for work.”

 

My mom worked for a big attorney downtown and she was a stickler for being on time.  It was one of the many good things she’d taught me so I was always early wherever I went. I smiled to myself as I hung up and went to get ready for the day.

 

The interview went well that day…at least in my mind it did…but it wasn’t really what I was looking for.  I thought of it as practice for my interview with Blocke Designs on Friday and made a lot of notes when it was over so I would know what not to do in my next interview.  I had two more interviews lined up that week and the only one I considered a real opportunity was the Blocke Designs interview, so I would have another chance to hone my interviewing skills before the real interview.  The days passed slowly and the week couldn’t go by fast enough for me, but Friday finally arrived.

 

Excited did not even begin to describe how I was feeling as I walked into the massive building on Clark street.  Blocke Designs owned the entire 15-story building and I had dreamed of the day I would be able to walk in knowing I worked there.  I smiled to myself as I went through the revolving door, realizing I was one step closer to my dream becoming my reality.

 

When the elevator opened on the 15th floor, I stepped out and looked around taking it all in.  The walls were white marble and there were floor to ceiling glass walls everywhere.  White leather chairs and a glass coffee table adorned the waiting area and everything looked so pristine. I walked up to the receptionist’s desk and a beautiful blonde wearing a beautiful blue dress smiled up at me.

 

“May I help you?”

 

“Yes, I’m here to see Samantha Stevens.”

 

“And your name?”

 

“Bryan Steele.”

 

She dialed Ms. Stevens and then told me to have a seat in the waiting area.  I busied myself by mentally going over my talking points to sell myself during the interview.  I was running down my mental list when a woman came out to greet me.

 

“Mr. Steele?”

 

I looked up and smiled at a professional looking woman who appeared to be in her 40s.

 

“Yes!”  I quickly stood up.

 

“Samantha Stevens, so nice to meet you.  Let’s go into the conference room to chat for a bit.”

 

We talked about the expectations of the position and the more I learned about the company, the more I wanted to work there.  I was there for about 30 minutes and I met one other woman who was a supervisor before my interview was over.  I left feeling like I had won the lottery even though I had not yet been offered the position.  I just felt like the interview went so well there was no way they wouldn’t hire me.

 

I went to work after my interview and Carl texted that afternoon to let me know that Mr. DiLorenzo wanted us to work the next morning.  I was a little bit annoyed.

 

Me:  What’s with the short notice?

 

Carl:  I don’t know, he just called me.  You’re going to want to do this one.

 

Me:  Why?

 

Carl:  It’s the Interior Design Expo at Corna Place.

 

Me:  What?!  I am totally there!  I would work that event for free! 

 

Carl:  I know, I knew you’d be happy. 

 

Me:  Thanks for letting me know.  Gotta get back to work!

 

All I could think about the rest of the day was how I could take advantage of the opportunity I was being given.  To be at the Interior Design Expo was more than a dream come true, it was something that could really kick start my design career.  I had a design book that I had created with photos of window displays I had done at the store and also a few dream design scenarios.  I think it was one of the things that impressed all of my interviewers because I was showing them what I could do even though I didn’t have any formal design experience yet.  Saturday morning could not come fast enough for me.