“You probably won the competition.”
“If I did, that means you did as well. They’re picking a team, remember?”
Talia sits down in her chair and faces me. “Ashley heard that the managers changed their minds, something about some people outworking their partner.”
“Well, they can’t be talking about us. We’ve worked equally as hard.” I offer her a smile before turning my attention back to the folder. With my coffee in one hand, I open the file and look at the first page. It’s a proposal for a pharmaceutical company. The following pages include their budgets, targets and a copious number of notes by Margie. Still, until she arrives at work, I’m not going to assume anything. Besides, I’m only an intern. For this file to be on my desk, it has to be a mistake.
A mistake that’s giving me anxiety as I watch the clock. I’ve been here for almost two hours, and Margie has yet to walk in. If I could pace, I would, but my other project, the one with Talia, needs my attention. Except as I look at the words, they’re blurred. My focus is off and my mind’s racing, wondering what’s going on.
My cell phone rings. It’s Brad. I don’t know whether to take it or not so I let him go to voicemail only for him to call right back. This time I answer, “Hello.”
“Sup.”
“Trying to work,” I tell him. Our jobs are so different. If Brad’s sidetracked, he can move onto painting or hammering out a dent.
“Job too hard?” He laughs.
“It’s challenging. What’s up?” I can feel someone staring at me. I look around, expecting to see Margie standing outside her office, but it’s Talia, smiling softly. As soon as our eyes meet, she waves. She’s cute, and I like spending time with her. Lately, we’ve gone out with the other interns, and I’ve thought about asking her out, just the two of us because I’d like to get to know her better. I return the smile but leave the waving to her.
“Just checking in, see what’s going on.”
“Not much. Work keeps me busy, but I’ve seen some of the city.” Our group has spent Saturdays doing the tourist thing. We’ve done everything from Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Coney Island, and have even managed to get tickets to a few baseball games. Nosebleed seats are cheap unless you’re a Yankee’s fan.
“Are you ready to come home?” It’s like my brother is a mind reader. How did he know this has been weighing heavily on my mind?
“Yes and no. I like it here, and I don’t know what I’m coming home to.”
“One pissed off hot chick,” he says. “You know, I used to think Elle was hot in high school, but as we got older, my thoughts changed on her because I felt she was always leading you on. Now though, she’s smoking hot and a complete bitch. I get why you have a hard time staying away from her.”
“When did you see Elle?” I ask. It doesn’t bother me if Brad thinks Elle’s hot. She is. I’m the first one to admit it. I can’t even argue with the part about her being a bitch because she can be, even when she isn’t trying to be one. As of late, I chalked her attitude up to anger and maybe a bit of depression, but when it boils down to it if Elle doesn’t want to do something or isn’t getting her way, she lets you know about it.
“She came by, asking where you were.”
“When was this?”
“A week or so ago, I don’t remember exactly,” he tells me. Why did he wait so long to call me? I know better than to ask him, already knowing his answer. It was with his encouragement that I came here and avoided talking to Elle. He’s right. I have to forget her and start living my life. Speaking of, I glance to my left to see what Talia’s doing. She’s typing furiously, likely transcribing our notes from yesterday.
“Oh, right,” I say, not wanting to know what Elle wanted with my brother.
“Anyway, I didn’t tell her where to find you.”
“Thank you.” I never thought Brad would tell Elle anything. The last I knew, they couldn’t stand each other. “Hey, listen, my boss just walked in, let me call you back later.”
“Later, bro.” Brad hangs up without giving me a chance to tell him goodbye. He’s never been one for the niceties when it comes to a conversation.
As soon as I set my phone down, I pick up the file and head toward Margie’s office. Her door is open, but I knock anyway.
“Come in, Ben.”
“I won’t take long. I believe this is your file. It was on my desk this morning.” I hold out the file to her, but she only looks at me.
“Please close the door.”
“Um…” I turn and do as she says. When I look back at her, she motions to the chair in front of her desk. The same one I sat in on my first day here.
“There’s no question in my mind that you’re carrying your team. Talia does fine work, but it’s subpar compared to yours. The file I set on your desk is a project I’d like you to work on.”
“What about the Eo project?”