Chapter 1
Girl, you are crazy as a bat. There’s no way you’re going to get this job. The ink’s not even dry on your diploma. Laurie’s mental dialogue continued to rant, as it had since Branson Knight invited her to interview for the job at Limitless, a charity organization that benefited disabled kids. She’d been attempting to read a book to keep her nerves at bay while waiting her turn to step through the imposing doors, but she failed to comprehend a word. By unspoken consent, none of the applicants had chatted during their interminable wait. If only they had, she wouldn’t have to listen to herself.
I think I have a good chance. I have awesome grades, she retorted, waiting for the negative response inside her head.
All the other candidates probably have real experience.
What is it they say? You’re not crazy just because you talk to yourself… only if you answer back.
Yes, that proves it—you’re certifiable!
Her hands smoothed her hair in a vain attempt to calm the tight black curls that reached to her shoulders—a gift of her mixed heritage. She jumped at the sound of the door opening. The previous applicant strode out, her pleased expression broadcasting a successful interview. In the doorway stood the woman who’d been calling each person into the room. Laurie wondered if she was a board member helping with the interviews or part of the support staff. Sporting an I-didn’t-get-my-morning-coffee scowl, she called out, “Calvin Ehrhardt?” and looked questioningly at the two of them.
Do I look like my name is Calvin?
Three chairs away, the only other remaining applicant, who must’ve been Calvin, rubbed his hands on his pants as he rose to his feet. He squared his shoulders and marched across the lobby, exuding the type of confidence Laurie hoped to feign when it was her turn.
Laurie checked the time. Almost noon. They’d been at it for two and a half hours. Some were quick interviews. Others took two or three times as long. She assumed a longer interview meant the candidate had a better chance.
Why not casually mention your father’s name? That ought to get you hired.
No way! I’m not going to blow my cover now. I’d starve to death before I admit we’re related.
“Hey, girlfriend!” Stephanie Knight strode into the reception area. “I dropped in to bring Branson a package and thought I’d check to see if you were still here. Are you the last one?”
“Yes. I think he’s prolonging the torture on purpose.” Laurie stood to embrace her, but then remembered she might be contagious. “Don’t come too close.” She warded Steph off with a raised hand. Too bad—she could’ve used a hug. “Mom called me this morning and told me she thought she might be coming down with a cold. I was there two days ago.”
Steph froze in her tracks, her bright expression fading. Since her daughter, Ellie, had cystic fibrosis, she didn’t dare take a chance on exposing her to a respiratory infection. “I hope you’re not sick. I’m counting on you for dinner, Saturday night.”
“I have it on my calendar. I’ll probably be perfectly fine.”
Steph blew a piece of hair out of her face. “You have to come. Ellie misses you even more than I do.”
“I miss you guys, too.” Laurie blinked hard, her eyes stinging. Now was not the time to get choked up and emotional. “But you know I couldn’t stay there and be your nanny forever. I finished my degree. I had to move on and make something out of myself.”
“I know. But I still don’t see why you had to move out of your apartment.” Stephanie started the familiar argument.
“We’ve been through this. That place is worth thousands a month. I can’t afford it, and I refuse to take charity.”
“The money is nothing to Bran. The apartment is sitting empty while you and your stupid pride squeeze into a tiny apartment with three other people.”
“It’s all I can afford in New York City.” Laurie heard a noise and glanced toward the interview room, but the door remained closed. “Anyway, it’s fine. All I do is sleep there. My roommates are students who work or study all the time. They’re never home.”
“After you get this job, you can move back in. Bran will let you pay some rent if that makes you happy.”
Steph’s statement rubbed Laurie the wrong way. “Is there something you aren’t telling me? I hope Branson didn’t inform Jarrett he had to hire me just because we’re friends. You know I’d be humiliated.”
“I swear, that pride of yours is going to get you in trouble.” Stephanie’s eyes rotated toward the ceiling, in exasperation. “Why can’t you be reasonable about this? Yes, we’re friends. But you also worked for us as our nanny. Branson knows you,
and he knows your work ethic. Of course he wants Jarrett to hire you if the job is a good fit.”
Laurie saw hurt in her friend’s downturned expression, but she still felt uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry I’m so stubborn about this. I can’t get my dad’s voice out of my head. He said I’d never make it on my own.”
Steph shook her head as she rifled through her purse and retrieved her ringing cell phone. “None of us can make it without help. That’s what friends are for. You helped me for years. I don’t see why it’s so wrong for me to return the favor.” Holding up an apologetic finger, she answered the call, “Hello? Yes, this is Stephanie Knight…”
Laurie sank back into her chair, using the short reprieve to think of a proper retort, but nothing came to mind. Steph was right about her… she had way too much pride. Of course, Bran and Stephanie were nothing like her father, and Laurie had to learn how to accept help from people who loved and cared about her.
Steph ended her call and tucked the phone away. “Gotta run. I need to pick up Ellie’s meds from the pharmacy and deliver them to the school nurse.”
“Okay. Hope to see you Saturday.”
Steph waved as she scurried toward the elevator.
The interview door popped open, and the male applicant departed, looking despondent. His had been the shortest interview yet. Laurie’s heart pounded in her ears, knowing she had to be next. She willed herself to calm down as her inner voice spewed more doubts at her.
Don’t get your hopes up. There were seven other applicants. Even with Branson Knight as your friend, you probably won’t get this job.
I’m not getting my hopes up. I’m doing this interview for experience.
You are so lying! You’re counting on this job, already. You got three new leads yesterday, and you didn’t follow up on any of them.
Shut up!
And if you get the job, what are you going to do about you-know-who?
Double shut up! Jarrett will be my boss if I get the job. He’s the head of the Limitless division. I won’t have to deal with Finn at all.
Laurie had been working hard not to think about Finn Anderson, the hunky billionaire who, like Branson, was one of the four kingpins of Phantom Enterprises, the multi-billion-dollar technology company that developed electronics hardware and software and video games, among other innovations.
You can’t avoid Finn forever. He works in this building. What’s going to happen when you run into him? That mouth of yours is like a loose cannon.
I’m a professional. I’ll smile and say, “Good morning, Mr. Anderson. How are you, today?” I won’t engage. No in-depth conversations. No discussions about anything weightier than the weather.
Ms. Grumpy Face appeared, her eyes settling on Laurie.
“Laurie Fields?”
Laurie steeled her nerves and pasted a cool, collected smile on her face. She stood, tugged her skirt into place, and began the long walk across the lobby, her wobbly legs protesting like she was moving toward the death chamber.