Page 43 of Right Man, Right Time
Roberts
I stare blankly at my computer, confused, elated, worried . . .
It’s rare for an internship to get extended. I know it happens, but only to a few choice candidates. And when they’re extended, you’ll most likely be offered a job at the end of the year.
A job straight out of college would be everything I ever wanted.
It’s what I’ve been working toward. To prove to everyone, especially my dad, that I don’t need their help and can make it on my own.
Yeah, I might not have been entirely truthful with Silas last night. I don’t want to go back home because I don’t want to hear it from my dad, who has told me time and again that a job in journalism will get me nowhere. That I was wasting his money and my time by going to school up here. He couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t want to follow in his footsteps and take over the family business when I graduated from high school.
The family business is a small print shop in Oregon where he prints menus, brochures, and any other miscellaneous things he can get his hands on. The business was passed down from his dad, and he was hoping to do the same, but I have zero interest in it. Last Christmas, we got into a huge fight about it. He told me I was wasting his money by going to school for something that would never pay the bills. I told him his business was a dying trade, and then we parted ways.
So this is a huge opportunity . . .
“I see you got my email,” Roberts says behind me, startling me right out of my thoughts.
“Oh Jesus,” I mutter and catch my breath. “I didn’t see you there.”
“You are one of two who got the email. Don’t take it for granted.”
One of two . . . I can only imagine who the other person is. *Mentally grinds teeth together* Seems like I’ll be spending more time with Candace since there’s no way she didn’t get it.
“I won’t,” I say. “I’m very grateful. Thank you.”
He nods. “We have a fundraiser tonight at the Walton. I suggest you bring your boyfriend to it. I’ll be expecting him.”
“Oh, uh . . . sure.” I swallow hard.
“Connect with Candace, and she’ll give you the details.”
Great.
“Wonderful. Thanks.” I wave awkwardly, and he turns on his heel and walks away as I slump into my chair.
A fundraiser? Roberts attends many events during the year, and I’ve never been invited to one. But now that Silas is in the picture, I’m invited. I don’t like how this feels, not even a little.
Yet . . . I’ll also do anything to move forward in my career, so it looks like I need to get in touch with my fake, doting boyfriend.
Phone in hand, I head down the hall toward Candace’s cubicle, where she’s typing away on her computer. Tacking on a smile, I knock on the side of her cubicle and brace myself.
When she turns, she says, “Oh, Ollie, didn’t expect to see you.”
“Roberts came by my desk. Told me he wanted me at the fundraiser tonight and said to get the info from you.”
“Ah, I see,” she says as she turns back toward her desk and grabs a Post-it Note. She scribbles something on the paper and hands it over to me. “Here you go. It’s black tie. Do you have something to wear?”
No.
“Of course,” I say as I glance down at the information. “Uh, do I have to come with an invite or anything?”
She shakes her head. “Just say you’re with Roberts, and you’ll be let in.”
“Are you sure?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, would I tell you the wrong information?”
Yes, yes, you would.
