“We’re in investment banking.”
“You don’t happen to know Damien Kovak?” I asked suspiciously. Two investment bankers at the same party might be a coincidence, but it might not.
“He’s my business partner,” Kent said. “Does that change things?”
“No,” I replied quickly. “Not for me anyway.”
Kent paused, studying me again but this time with a more reserved gaze. I was afraid he was going to make some excuse and just walk away, leaving me dangling like a worm on a hook. Instead, he took a business card out of his wallet and handed it over.
“Greasy hands,” I reminded him.
“Don’t lead with that,” he advised.
“The pig is really good,” Petra chimed in.
Kent turned and walked away, leaving us girls alone to swoon. I made a beeline for the bathroom to wash my hands. I didn’t want to run into any other potential leads without being able to shake hands. Examining the business card in the bathroom, I saw it was the same firm as Vlad’s. Did that mean that Damien was Vlad’s business partner as well? Why hadn’t Vlad clued me in to the internship program? Maybe he didn’t want to mix business with pleasure, and he thought that hiring his girlfriend’s sister was a no-go. I decided not to read too much into it.
It was a start, and I needed something fresh and new in my life. I couldn’t ignore the fact that by working there I might see more of Damien, and that was okay. I did like him even though at the time it didn’t seem to be going anywhere. We didn’t have to resurrect our short-lived romance. I could just be an intern and he could be a partner.
That was quite the power differential. I would have to make it known that I could be professional, or he might think my application was just a way to get back into his life. I didn’t want to mess things up for him in his place of business, and I wasn’t looking for any special treatment. But I would apply.
If Kent was also a partner, then he seemed interested in hiring me. Though we had only shared a few words in Warren’s back yard, I thought we hit it off. I might be known as the girl from the pig roast for a while, but Vlad would put in a good word for me.
I left the bathroom and circled the house again. I grabbed another glass of wine, this time in proper stemware. I found Petra again, and we staked out a spot on the couch to continue our conversation. It was so lively and comfortable we ended up exchanging phone numbers.
Most of the people left, but I stayed behind. After the casual acquaintances drifted away, I played ninth wheel to Millie, Bre, and their guys. I could only take so much of that, though, finally excusing myself to drive back home.
All in all, it was a successful outing. I had a lead on a new job and a new best friend. I got to meet the fabled Bre, the girlfriend from across the ocean who had spurred Millie’s interest in multiple partners. Without missing a beat, I opened up my computer and logged onto Kent’s website. There was a form to fill out to apply for the internship, and I wasted no time getting mine in.