“Honestly, it’s going really well. It’s a lot, but he’s a good teacher.”
“I hope I’ll get to meet him one of these days.”
“Actually.” She brings the glass to her lips and takes a sip. “He’s in the middle of a huge deal, so he’s been tied up in meetings the last couple days, but I did mention to him that you were looking for a job.”
My eyes bug out. “Seriously?”
She gives a careless shrug. “It wouldn’t hurt to send in your résumé.”
Dropping my feet to the floor, I lean forward to set my glass on the table, then shift on the sofa to face her. “Heather, you’ve already done so much for me. I feel like a mooch.”
Heather frowns. “How?”
“I don’t know. Maybe mooch isn’t the right word. I feel needy, high maintenance.”
She tosses a throw pillow at me. “Stop it. You’ve never asked me for anything, Makayla.”
I hug the pillow to my chest. “True, but somehow I feel like you’re always saving me.”
“It’s called being a good friend.”
“The best.”
Chapter Thirteen
Makayla
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Caldwell,” I say with a smile.
“It was a pleasure, Makayla. We’ll be in touch.”
The screen goes blank, and I close my laptop on my last interview of the week. Taking a deep cleansing breath, I rub the tension from my neck and pick up my phone to check the time. It’s only 10:00 a.m., which gives me a full day to clean my apartment and run some errands.
My phone vibrates in my hand, and a call from an unknown local number flashes on the screen. It could be a callback from one of the interviews.
“This is Makayla,” I say in lieu of a hello.
“Good afternoon, Makayla. My name is Jane, and I’m calling from the Davis Corporation. We received your résumé and would like to proceed with an interview. Are you available to come in on Monday?”
I grin. “Yes, ma’am. What time?”
“Will 9:00 a.m. work for you?”
I nod even though she can’t see me. “That’s perfect.”
“Great.”
She rattles off the address, and we wrap up the call. I have no doubt Heather pulled some strings to get me this interview, and after the two shitty ones I had this week, I realize getting a job right out of college is all about who you know.
I spend the next two hours cleaning my apartment, then drive over to the village and grab a smoothie before heading to my mani-pedi appointment.
I press the unlock button on the key fob as I approach my Jeep but stop short when see a single blueish-purple colored rose under the wiper blade. The petals are slightly wilted from the Florida heat. I look around the parking lot to see no other cars have a rose, so I lift the wiper blade, remove the rose, and throw it on the ground before climbing behind the wheel. Tossing my purse in the passenger seat, I start the car and head back to the apartment.
Parking in my usual spot at the curb, I gather my things from the passenger seat and climb out. As I make my way through the courtyard, I cross paths with the new tenant, Jesse.
I extend my hand. “Hi, I’m Makayla.”
Keeping his eyes on mine, he takes my offered hand and rewards me with a heart-stopping smile. “Jesse. Nice to meet you.”
There’s no denying the man is fine. He doesn’t look much older than me. Strands of blond hair peek out from under a baseball cap that says “MPFD.” His eyes are light blue, and both arms are decorated with colorful tattoos. Jesse seems nice, and I appreciate that he doesn’t make a show of checking me out like every other man I’ve ever met.
“You, too. Are you on your way out?”
He shoves his hands in the front pockets of his shorts. “I am.”
I smile and edge toward the door. “Well, I won’t keep you. Just wanted to introduce myself. If you ever need anything—” I point to my apartment. “—I’m right up there.”
“Thanks.” He nods once. “See you around.”
“I can’t believe you’re ditching Veil to hang out with the hot firefighter,” I call from inside the closet. “I thought you didn’t do relationships?”
“Do you hear yourself?” She snorts. “I said I hadn’t met anyone worth the effort. I mean—” Her words are cut off by a knock at my door.
Brows pinched, I move to the doorway of the closet as she rolls from my bed and stands. “I’ll get it.” She points to my simple black cocktail dress. “I like that one,” she adds as she hurries from the room to answer the door.
A moment later, she returns carrying a shiny black box wrapped with a red satin ribbon. “Special delivery,” she sings as she sets the box down on the bed.
“What is it?”
Heather shrugs, stepping back and tucking her hands into the back pockets of her shorts. “I have no idea. Whoever delivered it left it at the door.”
I frown, staring at the box. “That’s weird.” I flick my gaze to her. “Do you think it’s safe to open?”
She raises her brows. “Do you want me to do it?”
“No.” I wave her off and move to the bed. “You haven’t known me long enough to risk your life for me,” I joke.
Heather snorts. “Open the damn box, Makayla.”
Carefully, I remove the satin ribbon over the box and toss it on the bed before lifting the lid. A shiny black envelope—exactly like the one containing the Veil card—sits on top of red tissue paper. Picking up the envelope, I tear it open and pull out a card.
Wear this for me tonight. ~ X
“Who’s it from?” Heather asks.
“X?” I pass her the card, then pull back the tissue paper to find three articles of clothing.
“X must be your fantasy guide,” she offers.
“With very naughty taste,” I tease, holding up the black satin strapless bra and matching thong.
“Damn.” She uses the card to fan her face dramatically.
I laugh at her theatrics as I fish out a see-through
