“Sorry, G. Give me a recap,” I said, turning into the parking lot of the Bakersville Times. I found a spot in the very back of the lot, meaning we’d have to hoof it to get to our internship on time. I grabbed my bag off the back seat and took off toward the building with Gracie scurrying behind me.
“Wait up, Ri! My short little legs can’t keep up!” she yelled. I slowed down and let her catch up to me. She gave me an annoyed look. “I was saying before you decided to check out of the conversation, that I looked for you later at Garrett’s. But you disappeared. Maysie had no idea where you went. We looked forever for you. Where’d you go?” Gracie asked, her words coming in short bursts as she struggled to keep up with my long legged gait.
She must not have looked too hard; otherwise I’m sure she would have known exactly where I ended up. I let out a relieved sigh that I hoped Gracie didn’t notice.
“I was tired,” was all I said, hoping she’d drop it. “Plus, I figured you were busy with Mr. Shaved and Tattooed.” I expertly maneuvered the conversation into more palatable terrain. Gracie giggled on cue.
“His name was Dave. And he’s in the Army. And he was so freaking hot,” Gracie began an overly detailed rundown of her weekend bed buddy’s amazing characteristics. I nodded and made suitable comments when necessary. Thanks god for Gracie’s one-track mind.
As we approached the office, any semblance of conversation was halted over the sound of drills and hammers. The front of the Times building was a veritable construction zone. We headed toward the side of the office to use another door, trying to stay out of the way of the construction workers.
Of course the whistles and catcalls ensued as soon as the sweaty, mucky men caught sight of us. I couldn’t help but notice the way Gracie put a bit more sway to her hips as we walked, throwing flirty grins at some of the guys as we passed. I rolled my eyes and grabbed her arm.
“We don’t have time for you to play Bachelorette with the construction crew. We’re going to be late.” I gave Gracie a tug and pulled her into the building behind me, cutting off the sound of the sexually laced comments that followed us. I didn’t have time to hear about how much they wanted to grab my ass.
We walked up to the receptionist and explained we were the new interns. The rather harried looking woman with a head full of frizzy grey hair and glasses entirely too big for her hawkish face pointed to the row of chairs behind us. We made ourselves comfortable as we waited until someone noticed we were there. I sat picking at my nails while Gracie scrolled through her texts. And then my day sank firmly into a big pile of suck.
“Riley,” a voice I recognized all too well said from behind me. Gracie’s head shot up and her eyes widened. My mouth thinned and I clenched my jaw so tightly I was worried I’d break a tooth.
Deep breaths. Deep, cleansing breaths.
I slowly turned around and stared into the green eyes that up until a month ago were my entire world. Another pair of eyes flashed through my mind. A pretty blue darkening with desire as they looked at me.
Not now, Riley! You are such a ho!
“Damien,” I said in a tone reserved for sales calls and door-to-door missionaries. Of course Damien had gotten the other internship spot. Because my life needed some added crap thrown at it.
Gracie’s eyes were practically bugging out of her head. She watched me as though waiting for me to go berzerker on his ass. Which wasn’t a half bad idea…
Damien smiled nervously. He looked good in his perfectly pressed khakis and green polo shirt. His wavy hair was tamed into a messy style around his forehead. His signature dark framed glasses slid down his nose and he pushed them back up with his forefinger in a gesture that was at once familiar and surprisingly annoying.
“I heard you got one of the spots. Congrats. I know how much you wanted it,” Damien said and then cleared his throat. He looked at Gracie as though she would save him from the dense sea of awkwardness we were drowning in. She looked back at him blankly.