Meeting Him in Between

LAURIE

Seated at a desk in an unfamiliar office, I smoothed the fabric of my white blouse and adjusted the hem of my long skirt. The high heels I wore made me feel both powerful and vulnerable. The door suddenly burst open, revealing a man whose eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

“I’ve been thinking about you,” he said, his voice low and seductive.

“Oh, have you?” I replied, my nerves making my voice tremble.

A smirk played on his lips as he approached me with deliberate steps. “Do you want me?” he asked, stopping just inches from me.

“Yes,” I whispered, my shyness evident in my response.

He undressed me slowly, his gaze never leaving mine as I stood before him, completely exposed. “You’re so sexy, Miss Sanchez,” he murmured, his smile filled with heat and desire.

“I want you now,” I begged, my voice barely audible. He claimed my mouth with a passion that left me breathless, his lips trailing a path of fire down to my belly button.

“Laurie, for God’s sake, are you still sleeping?” Macy’s voice shattered the dream, pulling me back to reality.

“Wh-what?” I stammered, blinking away the remnants of the fantasy.

“You have your interview in two hours. Shower and eat something. Get up,” she said, her irritation clear.

“What time is it?” I asked sleepily, my mind still foggy from the dream.

“It’s seven o’clock. I made us breakfast.”

“Seven? Okay, I have two hours to get ready. Oh my God. No, no, damn it. I have to shower, style my hair, do my makeup, choose a dress, and be there at nine. I forgot to set my alarm,” I groaned.

“Yes, I thought so. You’re lucky I woke you before I left for work. I’m leaving in ten minutes. Michael and I have a long ride ahead because we’re meeting new customers. I’ll be late for dinner tonight, so don’t wait for me, okay? And text me how the interview went.”

“Thanks for waking me; you’re the best,” I said, hugging my friend tightly.

“I know,” she winked, leaving my bedroom. I hurried through my morning routine, my mind still racing with the dream I’d had before Macy interrupted. The man from the dream haunted my thoughts, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d seen him before.

The day after the masked party had gone by so quickly. Macy and I slept until late afternoon, then spent the evening watching TV and eating Chinese takeout. We went to bed early, but I tossed and turned all night, unable to escape my thoughts of him.

I chose a dark blue knee-length dress with a V-neck for the interview, feeling both comfortable and classy. After straightening my naturally curly hair, I joined Macy in the kitchen for breakfast. She had prepared a plate of bacon and eggs, her motherly instincts kicking in as she tried to calm my nerves.

I didn’t have time to do the dishes, so I rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and apply my makeup. As I prepared to leave, my nerves returned full force, and I nearly forgot to grab my résumé.

The building was only a few blocks away from our apartment, which would be convenient if I got the job. The morning sun shone brightly, giving me an extra boost of energy as I walked. I loved being outside, whether it was walking, biking, or running. But when my dad was ill, I had to give up those hobbies to take care of him and the bookstore.

As I approached the building, I glanced up at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of my dad watching over me. I knew he would be with me today, supporting me through this important moment.

I entered the lobby and introduced myself to the receptionist, who directed me to the third floor. As I stepped off the elevator, I was greeted by a room filled with at least twenty women, all waiting for their turn to interview. I swallowed hard, feeling intimidated by their beauty and confidence.

I found an empty chair in the corner and sat down, trying to ignore the whispers and stares from the other women. My hands were sweating, and I fumbled with my résumé as I waited for my name to be called.

When it was finally my turn, I took a deep breath and entered the office of the most captivating man I had ever met.