I should tell him that I’m not his, but I kind of like the way it sounds. It makes me feel nice, which is scary because it should probably make me run.

Wanting to break the silence, I try to come up with something that doesn’t have the potential for innuendo.

“I start a new job tomorrow. It’s my first day working at Osbourne Corp. Have you heard of it?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard of it.”

I expect him to say more, but he doesn’t. Normally when I mention Osbourne to people, they just rattle on and on about it.

“I’ll let you sleep,” he says, not offering up any more conversation. It’s strange. He’s already so familiar, yet he’s a total stranger. “I’ll text you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Oz.”

“Sweet dreams, baby.”

Chapter Four

Mallory

* * *

I wake up before my alarm goes off. I’m excited for the day. I had a weird dream last night about sapphire-blue eyes and being lost in a maze. I don’t think I need a psychologist to translate that for me.

Reaching over to my bedside table, I check my phone and see I have a text message.

Oz: Good luck on your first day. You should wear your hair up.

I raise an eyebrow, wondering what kind of request that is. My hair is kind of short, just coming to my shoulders, but I could pin it up if I wanted to. I don’t text back, unsure of what to say—Thanks, but I’ll do what I want?

I get out of bed, put my phone on my dresser and begin getting ready. I pull on a pale pink lace bra and matching panties. I need some confidence today. Paige gave me an outrageous gift card to Victoria’s Secret for my birthday this year, and I went crazy in the underwear department. It’s weird, but having something sexy on under my clothes gives me the sense of being a superhero.

After I slip on my skirt and blouse, I walk to the vanity in my bathroom and put on some makeup. It’s nothing too heavy, but I want to look polished. I’ve got time, so when I’m done, I decide to pin my hair up. Completely my own decision and nothing to do with Oz’s request. At least, that’s what I keep chanting over and over in my mind.

When I’m finished, I slip on my heels and pull on the matching suit jacket, standing in the mirror to check myself out. I look so grown-up. Before I can stop myself I go over to my bedside table and grab my phone. I send a quick text to Oz.

Me: Thank you. And I’ll consider it.

No sense letting him know I did what he asked. I just agreed with his idea, that’s all.

I grab the last of my things and head out of my bedroom to the kitchen. When I walk in, Paige is holding out a to-go thermos of coffee for me.

“I’m like a proud mom on your first day of kindergarten,” she says, beaming at me.

I can’t help but giggle and shake my head. She’s truly adorable. Taking the coffee from her, I give her a hug and give silent thanks that I have her in my life. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

Pulling back, she hands me a brown bag, and I laugh. She packed my lunch?

“You did not.”

“Oh, I did. Peanut butter and strawberry jelly. Doritos and a banana.” She crosses her arms and looks at me with the smuggest face. “I’m the best mom ever.”

“Thank you.” I take the lunch and slip it into my shoulder bag. It’s a designer purse Paige got me for Christmas and wouldn’t let me refuse. She said if I didn’t keep it, she would never speak to me again. It’s nice because it’s big enough for lunch and a couple of necessities, but looks stylish.

“Wish me luck,” I say, heading out the front door. I hear her say it as the door closes behind me. I take the elevator to the first floor. Our building is around ten stories, and we live on the third floor.

We’re three blocks up from Osbourne Corp, and the heat isn’t too crazy this morning. Putting in my headphones, I switch on an audiobook and make the easy walk to work, trying to focus and pump myself up. I’m smart; I’m confident; I can do anything in the world. My superhero underwear cheers me on as I take the final steps toward the building.

I’d timed it once before, just to be on the safe side, but it looks like I’m only about a fifteen-minute walk from work, which is great. The front of the building is a bit intimidating, but I’m about to be a part of this machine, so I try to step through the glass doors with self-assurance.

Once I’m there, I do as instructed in my new-hire email and head to the front security desk. One of the guards at the desk gives me a temporary pass and takes me up to Human Resources, explaining what’s on each floor as we go up.

The building is twenty floors, with the top three floors reserved for the executives of Osbourne Corp. Human Resources is located on the fifth floor, with a cafeteria and company gym located on the floor below. I may have Googled the building just to find this all out. I might have gone a little overboard with studying. I’ll be working on the tenth floor in accounting, and interning with their comptroller on statistical trajectory for the company, along with fulfilling everyday duties.

I’m introduced to Agatha, head of HR, and I like her immediately. She’s like a grandmother with a wicked sense of style in her blue suit and red heels. She has a soft smile, and I want to give her a big hug, but I think it might be inappropriate. Agatha takes her time going over my new-hire paperwork, insurance benefits and my bank account information.

Once Agatha is finished, she introduces me to the two other interns who were hired with me for this program.