Page 74 of When You Smile

Taryn smiled. “How long until you get off?”

Charlie raised an eyebrow.

“Off work,” Taryn amended, the blush on its way, she could feel it. “But I like where you’re going with that.”

“Three hours.”

Taryn kissed her soundly. “Think about me until then?”

Charlie touched Taryn’s lips with her thumb reverently. “I will think of nothing else.”

Chapter Seventeen

Charlie stared at the street sign ahead to orient herself as a sea of yellow cabs flew through the intersection, one of the cabbies leaning on their horn for reasons she was unclear on. Across the street, a line of people in business attire had formed in front of an Indian food cart that made her remember she hadn’t exactly had lunch. She double-checked the address to make sure she’d located the right building in Midtown East and, with her heart in her throat, headed for the elevator bank.

She’d received a text from Monica reminding her to ask questions, be specific about her goals, and not to be shy about showing off what she was capable of. While there wasn’t a ton of affection in their occasional communication, she was grateful for Monica’s support, and it was clear she did still care. Their relationship would come back around. She knew it. Charlie was willing to be patient.

“Charlie?”

She looked up from her spot in the lobby to find the one and only June DiCarlo smiling at her in a sleek skirt and jacket combo. She had blond hair that fell just past her chin and smart-looking black glasses. Literary glasses. Simply being between the walls of Broadland Rhodes made Charlie want to stop everything and write.

“Hi, June. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Why don’t you come on back.” She followed June into her office, which was comfortable, yet stylish. The picture window behind her desk looked out onto Lexington Avenue from the twelfth floor. A lovely view.

June settled in behind the desk and smiled. “Monica is a good friend, and she says you’re like a daughter to her.”

“My mother passed some years back, and the two of them were very close.”

“Well, she speaks very highly of you, and you know how the world feels about Monica McHenry.” June spoke at a very fast pace and had the most direct eye contact Charlie had ever seen.

“She’s a force,” Charlie said. Not a lie.

“Here’s the thing. Your résumé and your commitment to education tell me you’re serious. Are you a hard worker?”

“I am.”

“And if I set you up with a developmental editor, in addition to your potential position with the company, are you going to be able to take their notes?”

“Revising is my favorite part of the process.”

“Good to know.” June sat back. “This is a fast-paced environment. The work isn’t glamorous. Sometimes I need someone to act as a liaison between departments. At other points, I might need someone to stand in for me at meetings. I also might desperately need a cappuccino from downstairs.”

Charlie smiled. “I can liaise, stand in, and fetch coffee with the best of them. I want to learn, grow, and form a solid foundation for my career.”

June nodded. “Good answer.” A flashed smile. “I go with my gut and don’t feel the need to waste time with a lot of introspective get-to-know-you questions. In fact, I hate them. Let’s give it a shot and see how it goes. If you’re awful, you’re fired.” She flashed a smile that said she was only half kidding.

That was it? She’d been in the office for all of five minutes. “I would love that.”

“The hours aren’t easy, but you could learn a lot here, Charlie. I’ll have my staff send over the paperwork to get you a start date shortly after your graduation, which I have written down here somewhere.” She glanced down at her notes and then abandoned the mission. “Give Monica my best. She owes me an extra dirty martini because I bought the last three.”

“I’ll tell her.”

After the whirlwind meeting that felt more like a drive-by than anything, Charlie was back outside with her phone to her ear. Taryn was easily her first call, and she answered on the second ring.

“Is it over? How did it go?”

Charlie gulped air, too excited to drag out the news. “She’s bringing me on board. I’m officially working for Broadland Rhodes in less than three months. June’s setting me up with a developmental editor for my manuscript. It’s happening, Tare.”

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