Not that New York City is cheaper than Los Angeles.
I should have looked for a job in some small town with a company requiring a social media presence. Except a small town is what led me to Logan Henderson, and I don’t want to go down that path again.
Small towns mean that everyone knows one another. There are no secrets. If you date someone and it doesn’t work out, you’ll always see them at the grocery store, gas station, or restaurant. No thanks.
I’m done with that life. One week was too much.
The elevator doors ding as I reach the thirty-fifth floor and step out. There’s another reception desk at the front.
“May I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here to see Mr. Luxenberg. I have an appointment with him.”
“And you are?” the woman asks.
“Cali Sinclair.”
“Just a second,” she says, and grabs the phone, letting him know that his interviewee has arrived.
“Head on in. It’s straight back and down the hallway.” The woman gestures for me to go on ahead. And while I’m surprised no one is walking me back, it’s clear that everyone is incredibly busy.
The door is shut, and as I approach, it swings open. Logan steps out. “Cali?”
“Logan?” I say, staring up at him. It’s like having the wind knocked right out of me. “I—” I have so much to say, but it doesn’t come out as quickly as I’d like.
“Ms. Sinclair?” a gentleman’s voice booms from the office, waiting for me to enter.
“I have to go,” I say, pointing at the door. “I’m sorry about everything.” I chew on my bottom lip, making it raw as I slip past Logan and shut the door. I’m unsure if Mr. Luxenberg wants the office door shut, but I don’t want Logan hanging around.
In fact, how do Logan and Mr. Luxenberg know one another?
The gentleman behind the desk stands and approaches me, shaking my hand. “I’m Levi, and you must be Ms. Sinclair.”
“Please, call me Cali,” I say. If he’s not going to be formal, neither will I.
“Please, have a seat,” Levi says.
I do as he requests, sitting across from him while he glances over my resume. His eyes crinkle, and he offers a tight-lipped smile. “What brings you all the way from California, and don’t just tell me it’s the job.”
I exhale a heavy breath.
Shit.
If Levi and Logan are friends, he’ll never hire me if he discovers who I am.
“Long story,” I say, and wave my hand dismissively. “It’s not very interesting. I’m looking for a fresh start.”
The office door squeaks open, and Logan returns with a hot cup of coffee.
My day just went from bad to worse.
“Mr. Henderson will join us for the interview,” Levi says. “We’re looking to expand our social media to our ski resort.”
“What?” My head swims. “In the previous interview, the woman, Janet, had mentioned that you were looking for someone to do social media campaigns for Europe.”
“We were, but that position has been filled internally. The job description remains the same. You would just be working on a different product line. Is that a problem?” Levi asks.
I inhale a sharp breath. “Of course not,” I say, forcing a smile.