Page 6 of A Kiss at Midnight

But now I have to find a job to help save my little brother, and it feels like the weight of the world rests on my shoulders. I promised Justin I’d do whatever it takes to get him back, to bring him home with me — wherever home will end up being. If I can’t keep this promise, I’m nothing.

I give myself a pep talk as I head out of the shelter. I found an entry level secretarial position at one of the larger corporations in town and I’m going to get the job. In a company like this one they’re going to take one look at my clothes and know I’m out of my league, but if I conduct myself with confidence, they won’t be able to refuse me . . . I won’t allow them to turn me down.

It takes nearly an hour to arrive and I gaze up at the beautiful building, stop and double-check the address. It’s the right place. I take a deep breath, firm my shoulders, hold my head high, then walk through the tall double doors.

It’s beautiful: marble floors, huge glass windows, gorgeous artwork, fake plants, and expensive furniture placed perfectly around the vast lobby. I’m intimidated, that’s for sure, but I refuse to show it.

I confidently step up to the huge reception desk where three women are sitting, headphones connected, smiles on their perfectly made-up faces, in clothes that probably cost more than the rent on my tiny studio apartment. It’s okay, someday, there will be other women looking at me, being envious of me, just as I am of these women. Thiswillhappen because I’m motivated, not content to be nothing.

“I’m here to drop off my résumé. I’d like to speak with personnel,” I say when one woman asks if she can help.

“Do you have an interview?” she asks.

I panic for a moment. Should I lie? No, that would be foolish. I paste on my most confident smile.

“No, but I’m the perfect fit for this job so I’d appreciate it if you could find a place on the schedule for me. I’ll wait all day if I need to,” I tell her.

She gives me a bemused smile, then looks on her computer. “I think Ms. Beaumont will like you,” she says. “There’s an opening in two hours. We do have a café around the corner and down the stairs if you’d like to wait down there. Here’s our Wi-Fi info. Good luck,” the woman says as she hands me a card.

“Thank you so much.” I turn and walk away, keeping my composure until I find a bathroom. Once inside I jump up and down like a kid on Christmas morning. I’m going to get this job. There’s no doubt about it. Confidence. All it takes is confidence.

I sit in the café for an hour and a half, drinking the free coffee they offer. I have a bit too much and become jittery, but at least alert. I make my way upstairs and, at exactly two hours, the receptionist sends me to the elevators where I travel to the twentieth floor.

I’ve had plenty of time for my nerves to calm. I’m immediately led into an office . . . and a striking younger woman with beautiful blue eyes walks in. She doesn’t say a word as I stand to greet her, simply sweeps her gaze over my body before meeting my eyes.

Whatever this woman is looking for, I think I’ve come up short. I don’t let it shake me as I look at her. She’s wearing at least five-inch heels, doubtless an intimidation tactic. It’s working to a degree, though nothing really matters except getting the job. I won’t be intimidated. I’m going to paste a smile on my face and make this womanneedto hire me, no matter what the job entails. There’s no way I’ll suffer the disappointment of seeing another door close in my face.

“I’m Jewel Weston, and I’m going to impress you with how hard I work.” My voice comes out strong, determined, positive.

“Thank you for coming.” She doesn’t even greet me. Ugh, this isn’t going the way I want it to, but I assure myself it will get better.

There’s nothing in the woman’s words or voice to indicate whether she’s interested or not in me working here. Maybe she’s bored with what she does for a living. She could at least introduce herself, so I don’t have to think of her asthe woman. But, hell, I’ll call the lady anything she wants to be called as long as she provides a much-needed paycheck.

“What can you bring to us, Jewel?”

We’re in a small room with a table and two chairs. The woman doesn’t gesture for me to sit, so I stand awkwardly in front of her.

“I finished college in four years, getting a business degree with honors,” I reply without hesitation. “I’m bright, always eager, and willing to learn, which I do quickly.”

“That’s a must,” the woman says with a cryptic smile.

“Well, then, you have your newest employee, and there’s no need to look further,” I tell her with a raised chin.

“Hmm. We’ll see.”

The woman gathers papers from a file in the corner of the room and then sits down at one end of the table, still not offering me a chair. Should I sit? Is this some sort of test? The walls are bare, with nothing on them to focus on, making me even less comfortable, but I’m determined not to look nervous.

“Where did you attend school?” The woman isn’t even looking up as she asks this question.

“I went to UC Berkeley on a full scholarship,” I say, quite proud of this.

“Very impressive. So you’re smart.” The frown between the woman’s eyes suggests she isn’t particularly pleased about this. Does she think I’m competition?

“I’ve always worked hard to be at the top of my class, which is why I can excel at any job.” I have to close my lips to keep from saying more. Some potential employers want a lot of talking, and some don’t. I have the feeling in this case, the less I say, the better.

“Please have a seat, Jewel.”

The tone of her voice indicates sheispleased I haven’t sat before I’ve been asked. Good. I’m doing something right in this freaky interview.

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