- Ella -
My new room was like a coffin. I imagined that if I died in there, my body would probably be perfectly preserved for a freakish amount of time because of the lack of oxygen. Of course, even though my body had been in the apartment ever since we got home from the party, my mind was somewhere else entirely.
I still couldn’t decide whether or not I was the butt of some sort of practical joke. It didn’t make sense that I could act like such an idiot and then Will Abbott would offer me a job. Then again, surely he had more important things to do than go around making college grads feel foolish and embarrassed.
But my offenses were many. I told him I’d been to better parties two seconds after I asked him if it was appropriate to tip the bartender. That doesn’t even make sense. I just couldn’t think straight when I was talking to him. I mean, first he took me by surprise by literally coming out of nowhere like that at the bar, and then he took me by surprise again just by being him, by being so attractive and having such a deep voice. No wonder he was so successful in business. He had the power to stun his audience during negotiations.
I didn’t know how I was going to act cool in the interview. He would be sitting there all chiseled and sexy with his deep laugh and I would be what? Dazzling him with my excellent grasp of party planning 101? Telling him all about the other parties I’d successfully pulled off? There was no way that would impress him. Unless he felt like clown and princess themed parties were exactly what the Abbott Hotel had been missing. The truth wasn’t going to get me the job. I was going to have to be ballsy and confident and act like I had business being there. I was going to have to win him over with ambition and enthusiasm which, fortunately for me, I didn’t have to fake.
I felt my phone buzz in my back pocket and pulled it out to check the caller id.
“I’m miserable without you. Please tell me you’re on your way right now,” I said.
“I miss you, too,” Jackie said. “How’s Barb?”
“Barb is fine. It’s her place I can’t stand.”
“That bad, is it?”
“Cozy would be too generous of a word.”
Jackie laughed.
“Seriously. Do you remember the apartment we had sophomore year?”
“Unfortunately.”
“It’s actually smaller than that.”
“But that apartment was two blocks away from White Horse.”
“Yeah, and this one doesn’t even have that going for it.”
“It’s only temporary,” she said.
“That’s what I keep telling myself.”
“Well the good news is I met with my boss and told her that I want to be transferred out there when I get promoted.”
“And?”
“She thinks it’s a great idea.”
“Thank God.”
“But she also said she wanted me to stick around to help her with the fall & winter catalogues first so I won’t be out there for a while.”
“Did you tell her about me? Did you say that I need you?”
“No, I didn’t. It took her forever to learn my name. I wouldn’t dare introduce another one into the mix.”
“Well I’m glad things are going well for you.”
“I’m glad your Mom’s place isn’t so nice that you don’t need me anymore.”
“On the contrary, I need you more than ever.”
“Any word from Trevor since the big breakup?”
“He hasn’t called.”
“Because he’s over you or because he hasn’t paid his phone bill?”
“The latter I’m guessing.” I lay down on my stomach. “I’ve actually started wondering if my Facebook inbox will fill up, though.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Yeah. My favorite note was one about how he can’t go to our favorite restaurant anymore because it’s too painful.”
“Wendy’s?”
“I have to assume.”
“I’m sorry, Elle.”
“Sorry you let me date him for so long?”
“That’s not fair. I told you he was a deadbeat.”
“I know. I just wish I didn’t only have myself to blame.”
“It’s not your fault. It was a bad experience.”
“Too bad that’s been my only kind of experience.”
“I admit you’ve picked some duds, but there’s nowhere to go but up.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“You want to know my secret?”
“Yes.”
“I just go for whoever I think you wouldn’t and they’re usually all right.”
“Now you’re just making me feel bad.”
“I’m joking.”
“Except you’re not,” I said. “Basically, you’re saying I shouldn’t trust my instincts ever.”
“Maybe for a while.”
“Well as much as I appreciate that, I won’t be needing any advice pertaining to men for a while.”
“Why? Did you meet someone?”
“No. I’m just swearing them off. If there’s anything I’ve learned from my last few relationships it’s that I’m better off without them and I’m not missing anything.”
“Oh good. So at least you’re not bitter.”
“I’m not bitter. I’m just going to focus on my career for a while.”
“Since when is that a new plan? You’ve always been focused on your career.”
“But now I’m going to focus without any distractions.”
She laughed. “Meaning men?”
“Meaning everything that could interfere with me getting a job that will help me pay off my debt and move into a place where I can open the windows and get some fresh air.”
“Your Mom’s place doesn’t have windows?”
“It doesn’t even have air.”
“Wait what?”
“It has windows. They just don’t open,” I lied.
“Oh. Right. And how’s Plan Career Focus going so far?”
“Good, actually. I already lined up an interview.”
“That’s amazing! You haven’t even been there a week.”
“Well it was pretty lucky, but at least it’s something.”
“Who’s it with?”
“William Abbott.”
“William Abbott of Abbott Hotels?”
“You’ve heard of him?”
“Yeah. The magazine did a whole article about him a while ago. His wardrobe budget for the photo shoot was bigger than K-Skeezy’s.”
“The rapper?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.”
“How did you meet him?”
“He hosted this charity thing my Mom dragged me to. I was talking to him, and he thought I might be an asset at their new hotel.”
“Holy shit.”
“I won a raffle, too. A Macy’s shopping spree, season tickets to the Knicks, and dinner with him at his favorite restaurant.”
“And here I was feeling bad for you!”
“Did you talk to him at the photo shoot?”
“Not personally, but he had everyone eating out of the palm of his hand. I guess he’s actually a pretty nice guy despite everything.”
“Despite what?”
“I don’t know. Having all that money and being sexy as hell.”
“What was the article about?”
“It was for the Annual All American Bachelors Special. He was on the cover.”
“Oh god. This isn’t helping my nerves.”
“I’d be shitting it, too, if I were you.”
“What do I need to know about him? Anything you can remember that stood out?”
“You didn’t Google him?”
“Not yet. I didn’t have a chan-”
“You’re such an amateur! You don’t go interview with an egomaniac without Googling them first!”
“I thought you said he was a decent guy?”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t love himself. Of course, he loves himself! Why wouldn’t he? Everyone else does!”
“Okay, okay. I get it. I’ll Google him,” I said. “Tell me what you know anyway.”
“I know he’s divorced. His ex is like besties with some famous actress or something.”
“Okay, but what about him?”
“I know he dropped out of college to start his business which is worth something ridiculous. He’s been on the Rich List every year since he was thirty two.”
“What else?”
“The girls in wardrobe went on and on about how good he smelled for days.”
“That’s helpful. I’ll be sure to give him a good sniff during the interview.”
“Hey you asked.”
“I know, and I do appreciate you telling me what you know.”
“I’m not saying you should sniff him,” she said. “But I would definitely make sure you’re groomed to within an inch of your life and that you don’t smell so bad yourself.”
“I think that’s weird.”
“Do what you want. I’m just saying this guy doesn’t have to be around anyone he doesn’t want to be around, so it wouldn’t kill you to look extra easy on the eyes.”
“I want him to think I’m competent.”
“Of course you do. But guys like him aren’t attracted to humility. If you’re not confident and gorgeous, you won’t even register on his radar. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Sure, but I don’t really expect to get the job. I’m mostly expecting it to be good practice for interviews in the future.”
“Don’t say that, Elle. This could be the biggest opportunity ever!”
“I know. Jeez.”
“So don’t blow it.”
“I won’t.”
“Working for him could set you up for life. You have no idea.”
“I guess I don’t.”
“Do whatever it takes to get that job.”
“Okay,” I said. “I will.”