Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Brynn

I enter the high rise building that Mancini Advertising is in and go through security. Since my name is on the list, it’s an easy process.

I’m wearing a black power suit that I scored from Nature’s Edge six months ago. The same client who only uses Mancini Advertising for their ads but wanted a smaller marketing company to help with brand awareness.

On the elevator ride up to the top floor, I try to calm my nerves, reminding myself that Enzo Mancini called me, not the other way around. Plus, I’m not even sure I want to move to New York City. It’d be a drastic change from Portland, but at the same time, I’m young, and there’s something about the idea of living in a city filled with millions of people before I have a husband and a family. I want them eventually, I’m just not sure when.

The elevator doors slide open, and I’m presented with the word Mancini in big chrome lettering on the wall across from me and a huge Christmas tree on either side. Each one is decorated with what looks like homemade ornaments and small stockings with the names of who I assume are the employees.

I read up on the company after I got the call. Enzo and his wife, Annie, built this place from the ground up. Taken themselves from millionaires to billionaires no doubt. The way he showcases his family on his about page, praising his wife for her genius ideas to get the company where it is today, says a lot about the man he is. At least in digital form, but I always trust my gut when I meet someone.

It’s only steered me wrong once, and I chalk that up to a silly crush and a set of striking green eyes.

After the interview, I’ll grab my luggage from the hotel, change, and go to the airport to fly to Utah to spend Christmas with my family in a villa instead of my childhood home. Hopefully, the bitterness will shake off me before I land.

I approach the reception desk with a smile. The man seated there looks up from his computer with a welcoming smile as if I’m his long-lost friend and we’re being reunited. I know how he got his job.

“Welcome to Mancini Advertising. Brynn Russell, right?” He types on the keyboard and swivels back to look at me. “Mr. Mancini is just about done with his meeting before you. Can I get you a coffee or tea? Hot cocoa maybe? There are some homemade sugar cookies in the break room.”

He rises to his feet. I wasn’t expecting him to be so tall, and when I survey him, I notice that his pants are printed with Santas over a green fabric.

“Love the pants,” I say, liking the vibe of this office. It seems casual and fun.

He glances down and laughs. “Thanks. It’s our Christmas dinner tonight for the firm. My matching jacket is in the coat room.”

“I imagine you’ll be the best dressed one there.”

“Oh no.” He leans closer. “If you get hired, you’ll have to up your game from this black ensemble you got going on. I mean, it’s great for the interview, sharp and all. But we like bold around here.”

I’m suddenly second-guessing my decision to dress in black. Maybe it’s plain and boring. “I’ll remember that. Thanks.”

“So, can I get you something to drink while you wait?”

“No, thank you…” I realize I have no idea what his name is.

“Oh, sorry, Todd.” Voices sound from down the hall, and Todd turns his head in their direction. “Looks like you won’t be waiting long. And you get to see your competition.” His eyebrows rise.

As they get closer, I hear their voices better, and what I hear has me stiffening. Because the one voice is English and sounds really damn familiar. I look in the direction of the voices and spot Pierce walking toward me with Enzo Mancini.

“Great to meet you,” Pierce says, and my teeth grind together.

“I get that he’s good-looking, but chill, girl,” Todd whispers. “He’s married.”

“He is?” My head whips back in Todd’s direction.

“Girl, you really should’ve done your research. Happily married, and she’s probably going to be in the interview with him.” He shoots me a “get a clue” look, and it dawns on me that he thinks I’m talking about Enzo.

“No, I was talking about the other guy.”

Although Enzo has a hot dad vibe, it’s the man in a suit that has to be tailor-made for his body that has my attention. His broad shoulders and taut waist… God, I need to stop envisioning my hands pulling at the belt buckle while his lips are on me, his hands in my hair. My stomach feels light in my body, as if it could float away.

“He’s your competition. You want to sleep with the competition? I don’t suggest it.”

I watch the way Pierce interacts with Enzo, as though they’re old drinking buddies swapping memories of their wild times together. Not like an interviewer and interviewee.

Pushing past all the lust threatening to take control of my brain and set me on a path that has nothing to do with my interview, I turn my attention back to Todd. “Do they know one another?”

Todd narrows his eyes a bit. “Why would he be here for an interview if they did?”

Okay, Todd, no need to be snarky, although he has a point.

The two men continue to talk, Enzo putting his hand out for Pierce to shake. Pierce’s hand slides out of his pocket, not too eager, but not too lackadaisical either. He slips it into Enzo’s hold without breaking eye contact. Is the man ever nervous? He has the same graceful ease he’s always had. Just like the way he would stroll into the lecture hall and fold himself into the chair in the corner of the first row while Professor Jorgensen conducted his lecture.

“Go have a seat so it doesn’t look like you just got here.” Todd nudges my arm.

Good idea. I scramble to take a seat in the waiting area a few steps away, grabbing a magazine and holding it up in front of my face while I wait.

“Have a great trip. We’ll be in touch after the holidays,” Enzo tells Pierce.

“Oh no rush, enjoy your time with your family. Merry Christmas.”

From behind my magazine, I stick my tongue out at Pierce for sounding so relaxed and unfazed.

Why is he interviewing for a job in New York when he’s a professor in London? My gut twists with the knowledge that he has more experience than me. He’s older and teaches marketing for shit’s sake. But does he have life experience?

I bet not, mate .

I hear Todd and Enzo exchange words, but I’m too in my head about how Pierce probably just killed it in his interview to make sense of them.

A large hand lands on the spine of the magazine, startling me, and spins it around. “I don’t recall seeing ‘upside-down reader’ on your resume.”

It’s Enzo. Enzo Mancini. And I look like a fool.

My cheeks heat, and my hands tremble slightly. I have nothing to say. Nothing to excuse why I would be pretending to read a magazine. Panic flares in my veins.

“I was just checking out the ads from a different angle.” I inwardly sigh and wish there was a hole around here that could swallow me up.

He hums low in his throat. “Interesting. Enzo Mancini.” He sticks out his hand in front of him. The same hand Pierce just touched.

Jesus, get him out of my head.

“Brynn. Brynn Russell, but you know that.”

I hear Todd sigh as if I’m personally disappointing him. Maybe he sees the potential for our future lunches drifting away like I do.

“Good to meet you, Miss Russell.”

We shake hands, and I try to be firm, but not too firm, and not weak either.

Enzo smiles, but his eyes dart in the direction over my shoulder. “Pierce, did you need something?”

So, I’m Miss Russell, but he’s Pierce? I can already feel the favoritism.

“No,” Pierce says.

I circle around and find him standing still without his usual confident air about him.

Surprise.

It’s nice to see him a little off-kilter.

“I thought I forgot my cell phone.” He pats the inside of his suit jacket and retrieves it. “Got it. Have a Merry Christmas, and don’t forget to send me a picture of that suit, Todd.”

I shoot Todd a look accusing him of playing both sides, and he shrugs.

“I’ll tag you.”

“Be safe. Don’t break anything.” Enzo waves to Pierce.

Or do, I think, even though I have no idea where he’s spending his holiday.

Pierce’s gaze doesn’t leave mine at first, but then it slides down my body and warmth spreads in its path. By the time his green irises meet my eyes again, I’m ready to drip into a puddle like a snowman under a heat lamp. God, how can he still have that effect on me after all this time?

“See you all after the holidays.” Pierce lifts his arm with a wave and disappears toward the elevators.

I suck in a breath.

“Do you two know one another?” Enzo’s question takes me out of my daze.

“Oh…um…no.” I shake my head, but he tilts his head as if he’s unsure I’m telling the truth.

“Well, let’s get this interview going. I’m sure you’re eager to start your holiday too.” He steps back to allow me to exit the waiting area first. “I’m sorry this interview is so close to Christmas, but Annie and I didn’t want to wait. We’re hoping to kick off the new year having already made a decision. I’d also like to apologize that you had to see the other applicant. Usually, these things are more spaced out, but my schedule just didn’t allow for it this week.”

“No problem at all.”

“There she is,” Enzo says when a woman comes out of an office, walking down the hall.

I recognize her from their website. Annie Mancini. Her dark hair is cut into a bob, and her dress fits her perfectly, showing off an amazing figure.

It’s the way the words come out of his mouth that causes me to turn away from her to look at him. His smile reaches his eyes, and it’s the same way my brother Tre looks at Tessa. As if his world and all his happiness is wrapped up in her.

“Annie, this is Brynn Russell.” Enzo makes the introductions and steps behind me to open a door.

I shake Annie’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too. Sorry, I was going to come and get you from the waiting area, but I got a phone call from the school.” Her gaze flicks over my shoulder to her husband. “Our son Mateo just can’t seem to stay in his seat.”

“Or stop pranking,” Enzo says as we file into the conference room.

“He learned it from his father and his uncles.” She eyes him hard, and he puts his hands up in the air.

“I’ve apologized many times already.”

We all take our seats.

“Did Todd offer you anything to drink?”

Enzo grabs an empty mug that I assume was Pierce’s and sets it on the table by the wall.

“I’m okay, but thank you.”

During the interview, they each have a way of putting me at ease, but all I can think about the whole time is that I’m going up against Pierce for this job. The competitive side of me that was born as the baby sister to two older brothers rises, and by the time it’s over, I think I’ve done everything I can to show Enzo and Annie I’m the right one for the job.

I grin to myself when I’m leaving, and as the elevator doors slide closed, I anticipate the sweet taste of payback if I get the job over Pierce.