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“Sadie Carmichael.”
Lili laughs again in response to my distasteful tone. I didn’tmeanto say her name that way. It just sort of slipped out.
“Wow, youreallydon’t like her. Was she rude?”
“No. I just wasn’t expecting … I mean, I wasn’t sure what to do about her showing up. I didn’t know if I should … know her.”
Job security is my only concern, I tell myself. If Kit gets admonished for having a random woman in his office, it could affect my role.
“What are they saying?”
“I don’t know. I can’t make it out.” I cringe at the admission, realizing I just admitted I have, in fact, been trying to eavesdrop.
“Aside from Kit’s fan club showing up, how’s the job?”
“Uh, it’s—” I catch sight of two women headed this way. They’re dressed in business attire, so hopefully, they’re not additional members of Kit’s fan club. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll talk to you later. Bye!”
I hang up before Lili can reply, straightening in my seat and dropping my cell back in my bag.
“Hi! We just wanted to say, well, hi,” one of the women says, smiling.
“And offer you a sweater,” the other states, holding up a navy cardigan. “We think whoever is in charge of cooling the building grew up in Antarctica and has some superhuman tolerance for the cold.”
I smile as I stand. “I thought it was just me.”
“Definitely not just you,” the first woman who spoke replies. “Layers are key all summer long. Dress for summer on the commute, but for winter once you’re inside. I’m Stella, by the way.”
“And I’m Margot.” She offers the sweater she’s holding. “Here you go.”
“Thank you so much,” I say, draping it over one arm. “I’m Collins.”
“We know.” Stella grins. “The company sends out a welcome email for any new hires. You were the only one today.”
“Oh. I haven’t seen that yet.”
I get cc’d on most of Kit’s emails. And Kit getsalotof emails.
Margot’s expression is sympathetic. “It’s overwhelming at first. You’ll figure everything out; don’t worry.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
“Have you worked as an assistant before?” Stella asks.
“Not exactly. But I was a paralegal in Chicago after college, so I have some office experience.”
“Everyone thought they were going to hire internally for this position.”
There’s curiosity in Stella’s statement.Friendlycuriosity, but still curiosity. Interest I don’t want aimed my way.
I lift one shoulder and let it drop in what I hope is a casual maneuver. “Yeah, I lucked out. A college friend knows someone high up here. She put in a good word for me.”
Margot nods. “Good for you. I swear, connections are the only way to get a jobanywherethese days. My college adviser was sorority sisters with Sanborn’s wife. That’s how I ended up here.”
The door behind me opens.
“… appreciate itsomuch,” Sadie gushes. “You’re thebest, Kit.”
My lips press tight together. It’s an involuntary reaction, some impulse to school my reaction before I can scowl or snort or do anything else. I’m not surewhySadie irks me, but she does.