I had rent to pay. Credit cards. Student loans. And that didn’t even touch what it cost to job hunt. If I let myself think about it, my stomach would curdle. I couldn’t get sick today. I had to bring my A-game.
The elevator doors opened and I exited into a busy hallway. Everyone was just rushing somewhere, carrying papers and talking loudly to each other, and I felt a bit excited. I would love to work here. Truth was, I’d love to work anywhere. It was an added bonus if people liked the company.
As I walked down the hallways I reminded myself of all the answers I’d practiced in the shower. I had to keep things concise and simple. There was no room to let case answers slip out. As soon as someone realized I was overqualified I could be out before I got to the second question.
I stopped in front of the conference room and took a deep breath. Interviews. Was there any person who loved them? For me, they were awful. I’d never liked tests and being evaluated, The butterflies attacked my stomach in large swarms.
I knocked on the door.
“Come in,” someone from the other side called.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. I halted abruptly.
Was I in the right room? Was this possible?
The butterflies in the pit of my belly intensified—this time for a completely different reason. Oh my God.
Men didn’t look like this, did they? They were gorgeous and sexy. As if they had somehow walked off the cover of a men’s fitness magazine. I paused, trying to gain my balance.
One of them had a light brown hair and green eyes that had been filled with irritation, but the moment they landed on me they flashed with interest. He was athletic and lean—opposite from the guy that sat next to him, who was extremely muscular and had a husky build. His shoulders were very broad, and I couldn’t help but imagine myself being embraced with those big, strong arms. His dark chocolate eyes were studying me carefully, a polite smile on his face. His dark hair was cut short, unlike the man with green eyes, who had grown out layers.
For several moments none of us said a word. My cheeks started to burn. I wasn’t sure if they were checking me out, or if I was so stunned by them I misinterpreted what was happening.
I cleared my throat. “I am sorry, but I am not sure if I am at the right place. I’m Cassie Lawson. I have applied for a legal assistant position, and I came here for an interview.”
They briefly looked at each other before the muscular guy spoke. “You’re the right place, Ms. Lawson. I am Patrick Drake and this is my partner, Travis Bryson. We are the attorneys that are looking for a new legal assistant.” He motioned with his hand at Travis and then pointed at the seat across from them. “Please, take a seat.”
I swallowed, looking back and forth between them. My nervousness had just doubled. They were my potential bosses? Oh shit, this was not good. If they were the actual attorneys, I was supposed to work for, how could I pretend I was less qualified? My interviewer was supposed to be someone from HR. Shit.
I had made a vow to myself that I was going to get a job today. I was willing to do whatever it took to get it—even play a little dumb.
I nodded, feigning composure. “Thank you.”
As I sat in the chair, I glanced at Travis. He was still silent. His beautiful green eyes were on my breasts, unblinking, and I shimmied on my seat. I felt hot again and I started breathing a bit faster.
I didn’t know if I should be content that these two hot guys could be my bosses or feel uncomfortable. They were both so attractive—their dark business suits enhancing their appearance—and I had to try harder to focus on here and now and stop ogling them.
“Our HR manager is out of the office, so you will have this interview with us. I hope that is okay with you?” Patrick explained.
Just my luck. I did my best not to give away how nervous I actually was. Travis’s gaze was intense, and it made me feel overly self-conscious.
“Yes, of course,” I lied. None of this was ok. Not the way the interviewed surprised me, and not how they made me react. Control was the last thing I had.
“Good.”
“Can we take a look at your CV?” Travis finally spoke, and my insides stirred. I found his voice unusually attractive—a bit husky, but deep.
“Yes,” I replied and took my CV out of my bag. I handed it to him, shuddering when his gaze lingered on me a few seconds longer.
I glanced at Patrick, but that only made things worse, since his dark eyes have been a bit glazed, and I squirmed on my seat. I recognized that look. He wanted me.
What was happening? Had I lost my mind? I needed to focus on the job at hand. Not their hands.
“Okay, so we are looking for someone highly responsible and motivated,” Patrick started. “We are especially interested in your attention to detail and communication skills. Our firm is working with one of the biggest clients in the development field, and we deal with the extremely important legal problems on a daily basis. Those problems are worth millions, so I hope you can understand why competence and the ability to work hard are very important to us.”
I swallowed again, my mouth becoming unusually dry. The way he said it, it sounded like I would have more responsibility than a typical assistant. I could get on board with this plan. It somehow made me seem like a better candidate. Even if I couldn’t tell them that.
“I understand,” I gave my best to maintain my voice steady.