Page 6 of Last First Date

3

WAVERLY

Janie refilled my wine glass and then her own. Gossip magazines sprawled across the coffee table along with my laptop pulled open to a New York gossip page. It was a Friday night, and this was our version of exciting. We lived in an area that wasn't exactly known for hot clubs and an exciting night life. That was fine by me. I wasn't really much of a partier. We had our heyday when we were in school but we both knew how important it was to get right to work and support ourselves. We first met while working at a coffee shop when we were in high school. We clicked right away. We went to different high schools. I lived in a small town just outside the city. We used to joke I was the country mouse and she was the city mouse.

She was a bubbly, beautiful, and outgoing woman. Janie was athletic and tiny. I, on the other hand, had the dark hair and curves. Many curves despite the countless types of shapewear I had tried. When I got to move into town, it felt like I was moving on up, even if it was only moving about fifteen miles. It was exciting to be in the city. That was why I was so nervous about losing my job. I didn't want to go back to my hometown. I didn't want to end up back in the coffee shop or working at the Family Dollar.

I considered this oppo research. And maybe a little gossipy, but entertaining, nonetheless.

Janie picked up her phone, grinning like a damn fool. "I mean, look at this," Janie exclaimed, her voice tinged with admiration, holding up her phone to display an old underwear model photo of Knox. "Isn't he hot?"

I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a chuckle at Janie's unabashed swooning. "Janie, we're not here to admire his abs. We're here to figure out what kind of person he is."

"But, Waverly, have you seen those abs?" she countered with a playful grin. “Those abs should be worshipped.”

I sighed, reaching for my wineglass. "Yes, Janie, I've seen. But we need to focus. What do we know about Knox beyond his former underwear model status? I know the New York branch is very successful, but I'm having a hard time putting that face on the numbers I've seen."

"You think because he's sexy he can't be smart?" Janie laughed.

I frowned, shuffling through the open tabs on my laptop. "I didn't say that. I'm just saying it's hard to reconcile that face with a corporate manager. People will underestimate him."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Janie asked, leaning back on the couch with her wine glass held delicately in her hand. "Maybe he uses that to his advantage."

"Maybe," I murmured, clicking onto another tab.

"If you were planning a big party, can you imagine sitting across the table from him?" Janie sighed. "I would want to plan a party every week if it meant I got to have some time with him. I wonder if he attends planning meetings shirtless?"

I scowled. "That would be highly unprofessional."

"But hot!"

I turned my attention back to the bio page on the company's website about Knox Williams. Mr. Williams’s only grandchild. He was the heir apparent. The last couple of weeks had been spent getting ready for the transition. Richard insisted nothing would change, but everyone in the office knew that there was always change when a new boss came in. I was probably more nervous than the others. I was the one that was going to be working with him side by side for eight hours a day.

Janie scrolled through her phone, her brows furrowed in concentration. "Okay, let's see. Successful businessman, runs a profitable branch of the family company, and, oh, did I mention those abs?"

I shot her a mock glare, shaking my head. "Yes, Janie, you did. Now, what else? If you mention the abs again I'm going to take away all the pictures. No fantasies for you."

We delved into the world of business articles, social media posts, and the kind of gossip that felt a little intrusive and icky. I knew he grew up in our area, but I didn't remember him. He was one of the elite kids that went to a private school. According to his bio, he left school early to model full time but did online school to graduate and even earned an AA in business while modeling.

Maybe he was more than just a pretty face.

Knox had taken the New York office from average to putting up some of the best numbers out of the five locations. On paper, the guy looked good, but my skepticism lingered. The company was doing very well already. All he had to do was not screw up too badly to keep it afloat.

"He's a trust fund kid," I mused, scanning through an article detailing his latest business ventures. "With a hot body."

Janie raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying he's the perfect package?"

I snorted, taking a sip of wine. "Perfect on the outside, maybe. But I don't see any substance. It's like he's been coasting on the success his family built."

Janie leaned back. "Well, maybe coasting is just a smart way to navigate life. Not everyone has to struggle, you know."

I shot her a look. "Janie, you know how hard I've worked to get where I am. I can't respect someone who just coasts by on their family's success."

She shrugged, her eyes returning to her phone. "Fair enough, but let's not pretend you wouldn't mind coasting with him on a beach somewhere."

I rolled my eyes, the image of sandy beaches and Knox Williams doing nothing for me. "I'm serious, Janie. I don't want to work for someone who's all looks and no substance."

"You're judging a book by its cover," she lectured.