Page 16 of Fair Trade

I decide to pull out all the stops with my wardrobe. I pull out a cropped black dress pants and blazer, removing the staples and tags from the dry-cleaner, and choose a soft pink button-down to go with it.

I don’t have time to try on ten pairs of heels, so I go with the pair I left by the front door on Friday night.

A small tremor runs down my back.

It’s been two days since my wild night, and I can still feel his presence between my legs.

I wonder what he thought when he saw my note.

Probably not much, since he most likely already saw my name when he snooped through my bag.

Ugh, not this again. We got places to be and people to meet, woman.

I stop by the mirror by my front door and double-check that my makeup is subtle and professional. I grab a scrunchie off the entry table and start twisting my long hair and securing it into a low bun. I pull a few wisps around my face loose and consider myself ready to go.

I grab my oversized purse that has a folder with my résumé and other documents regarding my work in the sports industry. It seems silly since I already have the job, but I still feel like I have to prove to yet another person why I should keep it.

Deep breaths. It’s all going to be fine.

Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?

Gridlock traffic.

I’m going to be late.

In a rookie move, I decided to take a taxi instead of the subway. I wanted to arrive looking refreshed, and lately, there’s been a guy at my nearest train station who loves to run after people while peeing, and today was not the day to test my luck.

Only in New York.

But I failed to remember how long it would take me to get here with traffic, which is how I find myself running the last two blocks and zooming past security while waving my staff lanyard.

I feel my phone vibrate in my hand, but I don’t look down until I’m in the elevator, heading for the executive offices.

DAISY:

Hey, my brother needs to leave in five. Are you here yet?

Wait. What?

Herbrother?

Sweet baby girl, Daisy. Could she not have mentioned that her ownbrotherwould be the new team owner?

I was thinking it would be an older relative, someone closer to Arthur’s age. And now I have to meet with someone who’s young enough to be Daisy’s sibling, and she’s in her mid-twenties?

That’s fine. We’re fine. No need to panic.

He is my peer. He’s probably laid back. He’ll understand that shit happens and Manhattan traffic is insane. I’ll still apologize profusely and hopefully salvage my image in the span of five minutes.

ME:

I’m here!!! Are you in Arthur’s old office? In the elevator now. YOUR BROTHER IS THE NEW OWNER???

DAISY:

Yes and… yes. Sorry, I thought you knew! But don’t worry, he’s my best friend. Dropped everything and flew out last minute to be here for me this weekend.

Aw, that’s actually really sweet. If he’s good to his family, he’ll be good to the Monarchs.