“I’m fine, thanks. Just an interview gone bad is all.”
She went over to the sink and washed her hands, then started fixing her makeup.
“With Collegium Corp?” I don’t know why I asked that.
“Yes, do you hav
e one too?”
I nodded.
She shook her head. “It was a disaster. I thought my presentation was good. I know the idea was a little crazy but I was prepared. But one of them was a total asshole and got mad at me for not Googling them or something. It was awful. I ran out in tears! Oh no, are you going in too?”
I nodded slowly. Now terrified to even go. I glanced at my watch. Five minutes to go. Would I run out in tears too?
“Yeah, I do. I’m sorry it didn’t go well,” I said gently.
“It’s fine. I guess I will just have to go and work for my dad or something. I just wanted to make it on my own for once.” She shook her head sadly as she looked down.
Man, I really felt for her. I felt the same way. My parents were very supportive, and hard-working. But if I didn’t get this job, I would have to move back home after graduation and I definitely didn’t want to do that.
“I know. I have to go, I’m sorry.” I smiled sadly at her and left.
One minute. I tapped my foot nervously, standing by the door. What if they hated me? I imagined they would. They were so mean to her, I didn’t do well with mean. Only because I didn’t take shit from people, and I didn’t like when people come for me without warrant. If they said something I didn’t like, I was afraid I would retort with something equally unfriendly.
Of course, I know how to hold my tongue. But still. No one likes being yelled at.
“You ready?” The woman from before asked. You’re asking me? I thought.
“Sure. Yes.” I reassured myself.
I had given presentations to hundreds of students before, this was just two men. What could go wrong?
“Go on in.”
I walked in to them having a conversation, but didn’t look at them. I headed straight for the podium. I wouldn’t look until I began, it would keep my nerves down. But I kept overhearing what they were saying.
“Okay, back to the club. We have a membership for a reason, and we never go.” The voice was deep, and ropey. Each word had its own harsh undertone, and drawl.
“Yeah, ‘cause we have been busy.” My back was to them, setting up the boards. The second voice was deep as well, but softer. The kind that could lull you to sleep.
I shuddered at the energy in the room, whoever they were. They were intense. I bent over to get my laptop out, and the talking ceased.
The room was so quiet, I could hear the empty seats. Now, I was nervous. My heart beat into my ears, and I felt my back growing moist with nervous sweats. I kept my face from sweating by standing in front of the fan on the podium.
That was it, everything was set up.
I drew my eyes up, and focused on the two men sitting across from me. My knees shook in my heels, and I was wide eyed like a confused little girl. These weren’t men they were…they were gods. Built by the gods, for the gods, and everything in between.
On the left; I saw a beachy man with light brown hair and gray eyes, that I could feel from here. I say beachy because of his shorts and polo, it was very casual. His tattoo peeked out of his broad, muscular chest. I felt myself wanting to lick…stop.
But next to him was Geek Squad on steroids. He had a similar muscular build, but it was wrapped in a crisp white dress shirt, silk tie, and black dress pants. His hair was much darker, and his eyes a piercing blue.
He said, “Ready?”
Well, now I’m not.
3