Page 13 of The Lessons

I blinked as I processed what he'd said.Oh, my gosh, he’s agreed! Hallelujah!It took all my willpower not to hug him. I was so relieved, I started nodding with fervor. “Thank you. Yes. I will take it seriously, Mr. Andrews. I promise.”

Ryan shook his head, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was agreeing to. “Fine. Good. I’m going to leave now. I will see you at our appointment.” He grabbed the deadbolt and unlocked it. “Wait a full minute before leaving. Because if someone catches us in here, it’s over. For the both of us.”

I nodded solemnly. After he slipped out, I relocked the deadbolt and fell back against the wall. My heart was about to rip its way through my chest, and I stayed in that little room for more than the required time. Finally, once my breathing had returned to normal, I turned to the mirror.

I stared at myself for a long moment, somehow expecting to feel excitement. Instead, my stomach was a mess of nerves.He said yes.I couldn’t believe it. No more obstacles stood in my way. Plan B was a go. I was really doing this. I couldn’t back out anymore.

Chapter Four

Natalie

Monday. The first day at my new job as marketing manager at Heaven Sent. I chuckled to myself as I strode across the granite and steel lobby of 101 California Street, a large office building that was home to the lingerie company’s worldwide headquarters. If they’d known they’d hired a virgin to hock garter belts and push-up bras, well, I’m sure someone would’ve been fired. Personally, however, I had no qualms: I had a job to do. Heaven Sent had spent years at the top of its industry, but recently, a few competitors had been able to break into the market. Our job was to realign the company’s image and bring Heaven Sent back to the top. And after being out of the workforce for a few years, I was eager to get started.

“Good morning,” I said as I approached a security attendant at the reception desk. “My name is Natalie Reese. Denise Romero is expecting me.”

The attendant checked his clipboard, his expression giving nothing away. “Ms. Reese,” he then said and handed me a visitor badge. “Second elevator on the right. Fourteenth floor.”

Fourteenth floor. I groaned inwardly, remembering the one negative point of this job. I looked down at my new patent leather heels—yep, the stairs were out of the question. I swallowed hard and stood up straight as I walked to the bank of elevators. I hated elevators.

Miraculously, I managed to make it up without incident exited into the lively, bold offices of Heaven Sent. I’d been there before, a month ago during my interview, but somehow it looked different today with me knowing I’d gotten the job. The lobby was clean and bright, with white stone floors and a sleek, white reception desk. The entire wall behind the desk consisted of an image from the current ad campaign. It wasn’t bad; it just wasn’t great. Something to add to the list, I mused as I approached the desk.

“Good morning. Natalie Reese for Denise Chavez. I have a—”

“Natalie!” a cheerful voice cut in behind me.

I turned and was greeted with a huge smile. Denise was the head of Human Resources. I’d been in close contact with her during the interview and hiring process. She was effusive and bubbly and had tried hard to convince me that working at Heaven Sent was the right decision.

She, of course, knew nothing of my ulterior motives.

“Denise, good to see you again.” We exchanged firm handshakes.

“Good to see you, too. How’s San Francisco treating you?”

“Good, good. Still getting my bearings, but it’s beautiful here. I’m excited to get started.” I glanced around the lobby.

Denise nodded. “Excellent. Well, then, shall we? I can take you to your office…”

I spent the morning getting acclimated to my new workplace. The headquarters of Heaven Sent were a fair size, probably about a hundred people spread over two floors. The marketing team was relatively small, only six people, which did not include the graphic designers. I said hello to some of them briefly during Denise’s tour and then was swept into a quick meeting with my new boss, Cathy Cannon. I was a little intimidated by her. She had gotten her undergraduate degree from Cornell, and Master’s from Stanford, and on top of being super smart, she could have passed for Naomi Campbell’s sister. Lucky for me, she was relatively new to the company as well, and we were both excited to get to work.

After a quick lunch at my desk, I attended the monthly manager’s meeting. This took the rest of the afternoon. As we reviewed our current market position, I was introduced to the rest of the team. Then Denise made a quick presentation on the new employee handbook. By the time five o’clock rolled around, everyone seemed more than ready to leave. While everyone rushed out of the room, I gathered up my notebook and phone. That's when I noticed someone next to me.

“Natalie?”

“Yes?” I looked up.Oh.It had to be one of the other managers. He must have been sitting on my side of the table, though, because I hadn’t noticed his face during the meeting.

“I’m Brad.” He extended his hand “Brad Valentine. I’m in IT.”

I held my notebook up to my chest. He was attractive in a conventional sense, with sandy blond hair and hazel eyes.

“A couple of us are going to the bar across the street. I was wondering if you might like to join us. You know, to celebrate your first day and all.”

I looked up at the ceiling and froze in what was a common reaction for me. In professional environments, I could navigate like a pro, but social situations gave me considerable anxiety. Even though I knew why, I couldn’t stop my body from tensing. I know it sounds like I’m being an arrogant jerk, but over the last few years, I’d recognized just how green I was. Now I’d become paranoid that an innocent drink could turn into something more, and that I’d,once again, be exposed for the inexperienced virgin I was.

I wasn’t ready for that, especially right now; I was so close to taking care of my little problem.

Stick to the Plan, Reese!

“Oh, uh, thanks for the offer, but I have to get home. I’m still moving in, and I’m expecting a delivery.”

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