Page 160 of The Playboy

“Hi,” I said, holding my hand out to her. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“And you.” She released my fingers after shaking them. “Security notified me that you’d arrived. I just wanted to pop over and see if you needed anything.”

I pointed to the open doorway. “Is this really my office?” I moved my hand, aiming it in the other direction toward the rows of cubicles. “And I’m not supposed to be somewhere over there?”

She smiled bigger than before, laughing a little. “No, this is correct.” She stepped inside the office with me. “Cubicles are mostly reserved for entry-level positions. As you know, that’s not what we hired you for. With your qualifications and knowledge, you’re a huge asset to Spade Hotels.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

My mind was going completely wild because of it.

But I didn’t want her to know that I was going nuts, so I grinned and said, “The office is perfect. I love it.”

“You’re free to decorate it any way you’d like.” She moved toward the doorway. “I’m just one floor down. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Have a wonderful first day, Brooklyn.” She gave me a small wave before she left.

My very own office.

I couldn’t even wrap my head around this.

I set my bag on top of the desk, right next to my computer, and took a seat in the chair, opening the drawers to see if there was anything inside. The top one had been stocked with supplies—pens and paper clips and sticky notes, a stapler, and a pair of scissors. The rest of the drawers were empty, so I stuck my bag in the largest one and then shook my mouse to wake the monitor.

There was a sheet of paper next to the computer that had the username and password information, so once that was entered, I was able to access the system, my email immediately popping up.

There were several already waiting in my inbox. The one that stood out the most was from Jo.

From: Jo Spade

To: Brooklyn Bray

Subject: Your first day! Whoop, whoop!

I just wanted to wish you allll the congrats and all the love going into your first day. I know you’re going to do amazing.

Drinks soon, okay?

XO,

Jo

Jo Spade

Chief Marketing Officer

Spade Hotels

I couldn’t stop the smile from growing across my face. Jo’s email was everything I needed this morning, along with the quick chat with my sisters and the kiss from Macon before I’d left his house.

As I set my hands on the keyboard to type a reply, I noticed the time in the upper corner of the screen.

My meeting with my new boss was scheduled to start in ten minutes.

I didn’t want to be on time.

I wanted to be early.

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