Chapter 5: Odd One Out

Vanessa

When I go to the hiring department to wait for Brent, the receptionist gives me a weird look.

"Weren't you here a few weeks ago?" she asks, glancing at the navy blue suit I'm wearing.

Yes, it's the same suit I wore for my interview, but a different blouse.

I frown.

Suddenly, I get a weird vibe. I'm meeting Brent about a job, right?

Slowly, I nod.

"I have a meeting with Mr. Halladay."

The office door opens.

I look back, expecting to see Brent.

However, a statuesque woman with long blonde hair struts into the outer office and stands in front of me like I don't exist. She places a piece of paper on the receptionist's desk.

"Sorry I didn't get this back to you earlier," she tells the receptionist and laughs. "I guess I'm not that interested in getting paid."

The receptionist laughs, "Linda, I wouldn't either if I worked for Brent."

Linda whorls around. Her hair flies inches away from my face. "I know. How can I be so lucky?"

My shoulders slump. Yeah, you're lucky, Linda. Besides the excellent salary, you get to see Brent every day.

"Oh, Linda," the receptionist hurriedly says.

Linda grabs the door handle and looks back.

The receptionist points at me and gives Linda a questioning look. "She says she has a meeting with Brent. Can you check with him and—"

"Sure," Linda pauses, giving me a head-to-toe look, and looks disgusted. "Be back in a few."

"Have a seat?" The receptionist flashes a fake smile.

I smile at her and sit on the long couch.

Look, lady, I'm not crazy. Brent—I mean Mr. Halladay—called me personally and asked to meet with me. Maybe he has a job for me that he hasn't told you to advertise yet online, okay?

Of course, that's what I want to say. Instead, however, I stare at my lap. My left leg shakes.

The office phone rings.

I look at the receptionist's face.

She smiles, "Ben—"

There's a pregnant pause.

Her smile disappears. She wrinkles her nose.

"No worries." The receptionist hangs up the phone.

I look away.

"Mr. Halladay said you know where his office is located," the receptionist says, typing on her laptop.

Take that, lady.

Yeah, that's what I want to say.

Instead, I grin and say, "that you so much for your help."

****

I take a few minutes to compose myself. Then, suddenly, my nerves have me shaking.

Why am I so nervous?

Uh, maybe because Brent is sexy as you know what, and he's funny too.

I frown. Yeah, Brent didn't find my interview so humorous. I didn't get the job.

Brent's office door quickly opens as I raise my fist to knock.

A smiling Linda stands at the door.

She squints at me, then rolls her eyes.

Linda rushes past me.

I lower my arm and see Brent working at his desk with his head down. So, I tap on his door.

"Close the door," he glances up, looking irritated. "Linda, if I have to..."

I close the door behind me. When I turn around, Brent's grinning.

He hurriedly stands, walking around his desk. "Please sit. I'm sorry about the misunderstanding."

I sit in the chair farthest from him.

He sits on the corner of his desk.

His silver watchband glitters as the desk light hits it.

Do you need that many time zones on a watch? Wait. Is that the minute, second, and hour hands in each of those circles?

Brent clears his throat. "I didn't mean for you to go to H.R."

I make eye contact with him and shrug. "It's okay."

There's a pause.

I open my mouth and shut it when Brent's gaze drops lower.

"Well, everything worked out," Brent clasps his hands together. He clears his throat. "I very much enjoyed our interview. You are a knowledgeable young woman with an excellent sense of humor."

I'm irked. My mind flashes back to Dan.

Didn't he start the conversation by saying something like that?

I cross my arms over my breasts. "Why didn't you hire me, then?"

Although I expect Brent to look frazzled, he doesn't.

Brent rubs his hands together and smirks. Then, after a few seconds, he nods toward me and comments, "I'm glad you wanted the job."

"I guess my desirability was a plus, too?" I give him a challenging stare.

He gives me a once-over. This time his gaze lingers on my face. Finally, Brent says in a husky tone, "Very much so."

I start to speak, then stop. So, he liked that I wanted the job, but not enough to hire me? Okay, I'm beginning to change my mind about Brent. He's playing games.

Besides, how old is he? Thirty?

Yes, he's that old and playing games with people's emotions. I needed that job.

I say, "I guessed you would have hired me if I needed the job."

Brent raises his right eyebrow and looks amused.

I look away, trying to decide whether to glare at him or not. Fortunately for him, I opt for the latter. "So, I'm glad you're considering me for another job. I can help—what's her name—Linda with stuff…"

Brent shakes his head. "That won't be necessary."

I cross my legs. "You have someone else in mind for me?"

His expression turned stormy. "Someone else?"

"Yeah, I assume that is why I'm here," I say, placing my left hand on my knee. "Is he a good lawyer? Better than you?"

"He?" Brent leans back and crosses his arms over his chest. "Would your boyfriend get jealous if you worked for a male?"

"Mr. Halladay," I pause and lean forward, "that doesn't sound like an appropriate interview question."

He leans forward. "By all means, report me to H.R. After all, it's not an interview."

Quickly, I stand. "In that case, I'll be going. If you want me to meet with you because you have no other way to amuse yourself, go use your hand or something—I don't know."

I walk to the door.

Brent tells me, "I want you to be my surrogate."