“Yes. We need someone to head down there for about a week, really immerse yourself in the concept. You’re the only lead level journalist in the office who doesn’t have kids or a family to run home to, and we can’t pass this opportunity up. Mr. Archer just gave us the green light today to be on his calendar this week, and I want to jump on it.”
Okay, so the no family thing hurts, seeing as I have no contact with anyone from mine, but I’m not going to let that show. I won’t let it be used against me in my career. Only opportunities for this single lady.
“Who is Mr. Archer?” I ask, tentatively refocusing on the conversation. I’m still new to this design arena, and there are always names I don’t know, even though I probably should.
“Here.” He hands me a folder now. “Inside, there are the key points about Archer, interview questions. Everything we need for the article.”
The press release talks about the team behind the project, my eyes landing on a picture.
The air in my lungs leaves my body as I stare at the most handsome man I have ever seen.
No.
“Handsome” doesn’t do him justice.
He’s more than that.
He’s perfection. Brown, wavy hair. Dark piercing eyes. A light five o’clock shadow dusting his chiseled jaw. Wow.
“Oh. Okay. Got it.” I stand from my chair. “If that’s all, I have a lot of work to do to prepare for an interview and full article on this type of property.”
“Layla, I don’t need to tell you what an opportunity this is for you and this magazine. Don’t blow it.”
“Yes. Thank you. I will not disappoint you.”
With nothing more to say, I step out of the office and walk down the hallway to the stairwell. Once alone, I let out the large breath I was holding, looking down at the picture again of the man who unnerved me from just a look on a paper.
Cain Archer.
2
Layla
After I calm myself, I make my way back into the hall and find Janet waiting for me.
“I can walk back to my desk on my own, Janet,” I breathe out, hoping she doesn’t really hear me say the words aloud.
“Too bad, Ms. Marks. I want to make sure you are back and starting your travel plans. I can assist you in getting the directions and company credit card information all settled. That way, you don’t waste any more time getting distracted by your friend Mara.”
I guess I didn’t keep that eye roll to myself when she adds, “This is not an opportunity to be squandered. Mr. Walker doesn’t give everyone travel opportunities at your level of writing.”
Passive-aggressive on aisle one.
But she’s not wrong.
This does have opportunity written all over it.
This is an insane chance to get out of the office, show off my investigative skills, and work on something that could transform my career. Goodbye faucets, hello travel budget.
Once Janet gets me all set up with travel in the system and goes on her ever-so-unmerry way, I pop my head over the cubicle wall to Mara.
“Pssst. You are never gonna guess what just happened.”
Currently, and despite the fact that we are in the office, she’s looking at her cell phone and appears to be playing a game on it. Placing it down on her desk, she cocks her head up and looks at me. “Let me guess, you’re traveling to some luxury property.”
“How did you know?”
“I have those things.” Mara motions to her ears. “They’re incredible. I can spy on anyone using them. What’re they called again . . . ? Eaves? No, eels . . .”
I playfully smack her, done with her BS.
“I heard Janet helping you book the travel arrangements. And since there wasn’t a hotel stay mentioned, I took a guess.” Her lips are pulled into a shit-eating smile. She resembles a proud kid who just aced their math test.
“Wow, and I want to be the investigator, not the fashion correspondent.”
“Okay, tell me, tell me, where are you fabulously getting to jet off to, and how long will you be living your dream job away from here? Sherlock, here, needs answers from her bestie.”
I lower myself back into my chair and start to flip through the folder in front of me again with all the pertinent information. In my boss’s office, I was too nervous to pay close attention.
“A place upstate that is going to be the next greatest place for the people who want to live privately but full-on tech. One week and I get to interview the architect who is dreaming the whole thing up.”
Now it’s Mara’s turn to move from her seat and peek her head over the divider. “Who’s the project lead?”
“Some guy named Cain Archer.” I shrug. He might be hot, but I have no clue who he is.