Page 11 of Man Seeking Woman

Chapter Three

August

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Sitting behind my desk, I felt my phone vibrate in my jacket pocket. Pushing the papers away, I placed my pen down and pulled it out. I didn't recognize the number, it wasn't familiar and the area code was one I didn't know.

Fucking telemarketers.

Lately, for some unknown reason, I had been getting a lot of those automated computer phone calls, telling me my factory warranty was about to expire and this was their last and final attempt to reach me. It was becoming annoying as fuck.

"Hello?" I said, resting back in my chair, my tone unfriendly and not welcoming at all.

"Hi, my name's Ella Day, I'm calling about the ad in the paper."

Sitting up straight, I pushed the phone closer to my ear because her voice was so soft. "I'm sorry, you said you were calling about the ad?"

"That's right." I could hear an audible exhale and sense the nervousness in her voice.

"Well, the position is still available, if you're interested. We would just need to sit down and go over a few things together first."

"I actually wanted to ask about that. What is the position for, exactly? The ad doesn't really say, so it's hard to know what the job is."

Clearing my throat, I tried to pick my words wisely. I had learned from past responses to my ad that it wasn't a good idea to just lay it all out up front. There was nothing conventional about the position, and it definitely wasn't a conversation for over the phone.

"Well, to be completely honest, before I get into all the details, I prefer meeting with potential canidates in person. It really helps me to see if you're a fit for this."

"Um, okay. So, you want me to come in for an interview?"

An interview wasn't the word I would use to describe the meeting. This had to do with more than just what she knew, what she was good at, and what skills she had. This was more personal.

"Let's do this, I'm free tonight, how about we do dinner? Six o'clock at the Red Tavern sound good?" There was nothing but silence filling the receiver, and it made me wonder if she was even still there. "Still with me?" I asked, giving a little chuckle.

"Uh, yeah, I'm here, sorry—it just seems like an odd request is all. Most interviews are done in an office or a home if it has to do with child care or something."

Pushing my chest against the desk, I looked out the big window beside me. "Well, what I can tell you is this isn't your typical job. But it is important for me to meet you before I can make any decisions."