Page 14 of Hate You Up Close

You’re qualified, smart, and prepared.

You have nothing to be nervous about.

“Nope,” I say boldly. “I’m ready to go.”

“Great. Follow me then,” she smiles and turns her back to me.

“Uh…Evie, wait,” I rush out before she halts her steps. She spins around to face me, her brows pinched together with concern.

“Is everything okay?” she asks.

“Yes, but…Mr. Thompson.” I chew on my bottom lip. “Is he my manager? I just want to make sure I know who I’m meeting.”

“Oh, yes,” she replies without hesitation. “You haven't met Elliot yet?”

Elliot.A bell chimes in my head.

Oh shit.

So the guy Skylar was warning me aboutismy manager. I had an inkling, but I wasn't sure.

Love that for me.

“No, I haven't met him.”

Evie lets out a disappointed sigh and shakes her head, her expression similar to Skylar’s when she spoke with me about Elliot.

Great.This is just great.

“Figures,” she exhales. “He is a busy man, I suppose.”

“I guess so,” I mutter, a little bitter about the fact that he couldn't take twenty minutes out of his day to at least have a phone call with me.

“Alright,” she smiles, back to her perky self. “If you don’t have any other questions, we’ll head that way.”

I follow her around the corner until we stop in front of a vacant office with nothing but a desk in the center. I immediately notice an open, mahogany door at the back of the space which I assume leads to another office. Sunlight floods through the doorway, blinding me from seeing what or who’s inside.

“So, this will be your workspace,” Evie gestures her hand around the empty room we’re standing in. “Once you’ve settled in, feel free to decorate and make yourself comfortable.”

My lips turn up in a content smile as my eyes roam around the room. The office is small, but not suffocating. I have a breathtaking view of the Dallas skyline; the iconic Reunion Tower looks like it's within an arm’s reach away. I’m instantly in love with the natural light pouring in through the expansive windows, meaning I’ll rarely have to use the fluorescent, overhead lights that make me feel like I’m at the hospital.

Ugh, just the thought gives me a headache.

“I love it,” I whisper, more to myself.

“Wonderful,” she beams. “And right behind you is Elliot’s office,” she points towards the mahogany door.

“You will be the first point of contact for all of his in-person meetings, as well as the first person to speak with anyguests who stop by and ask for him,” she adds. “But you probably already know that from the job description.”

“Yup,” I nod. “Skylar also discussed the job duties in detail with me over the phone.”

“Perfect. Skylar’s the best,” she praises before lowering her voice to a whisper.

“Hopefully she prepared you for Elliot,” she says under her breath. “He can be a grump. Oh, and he likeseverythingperfect. So if you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me first.”

From what I’ve gathered, my new boss is an arrogant, control freak. This is going to be fun.

“Thankfully, Skylar warned me,” I chuckle. “I think I can handle him,” I wink playfully. “But I’ll definitely let you know if I have any questions. Thank you.”