I swipe at the hair on my forehead and glance down at the time on my cell. Disgustingly enough, I can feel sweat pooling in places it should not be. The humidity of this city is killing me, but being late for this interview is not an option. Luckily, I still have plenty of time. Thanks to my OCD, I was up early this morning, trying on a million different outfits before landing on this designer skirt and blouse I'm now second-guessing.

The air is thick and stagnant, and the smell of exhaust fumes nauseating. I want nothing more than to shower again as I cross a busy intersection. As people pass by me, I nod and plaster a smile on my face, mentally rolling my eyes.

People should not be this fucking happy this early in the morning.

Having forgotten my earbuds this morning, I'm now resigned to listening to the noises around me.

I'm trying really, really hard to like it here. I am. I just dread the summer months. I brush my hands over my skirt, trying to smooth the wrinkles forming from the heat.

"Fuck my life-maybe I should have worn shorts or a romper instead," I blurt out, looking down at the disheveled mess that I'm quickly becoming.

What I wouldn't give for the air conditioner in my apartment. Remote work sounds excellent right now even though my apartment is an absolute mess. Boxes and bags are scattered everywhere, but at least it's cooler than the pits of hell I'm currently experiencing. This is fucking miserable. I don't know how people enjoy living here.

A taxi buzzes by me, blaring its horn at a decibel that threatens to blow out my eardrums. My heart slams into my chest squeezing it so tightly that I think for a second it's going to stop working. My entire body freezes, then I lurch forward as someone bumps into me.

"What the hell, lady?" A man says, stomping around me.

"Yeah, don't worry, I'm fine," I shout after him.

Asshole. Does anyone in this city have patience?

Rolling my eyes, I suck in a deep breath of the sticky air. My heart returns to a normal rhythm.

I knew to expect changes coming here- welcomed them even- but I wasn't prepared for the noise. I've been nursing a headache for days.

Glancing around at the people, buildings, and sheer busyness around me is enough to make even a sane person have a panic attack.

Maybe Derek is right; this is a bad idea, I should have just applied at some places back home.

I shake my head, mentally slapping the shit out of myself.

No. I can do this.

It isn't the wide-open skies, fields of colorful wildflowers, and dirt roads from back home, but there must be good things. I just need to find them.

I inhale another shaky breath and take in all the people around me. There are a lot of them. Too many, Yeah, so what? But this is also somewhere I can blend in.

This is somewhere that I can disappear, and I need to disappear.

I dreamed of coming here for years and am finally making it a reality. Derek derailed my plan completely. I was so absorbed in my small-town life, always doing my best to please him, my family, and everyone except myself. Leaving him was the best and scariest thing I have done in my 25 years, and I'm sure as hell not going back. I will deal with the humidity, crazy ass drivers, and cranky morning people if it means not dealing with the shit I had to deal with back home. That life was over.

The streets are busy with morning commuters, and sidewalks are filling up with people moving to their destinations. The smells of pastries and coffee overwhelm my senses. I force myself to take it all in.

I missed so much during the last few years; I don't want to miss anything here. Carefully weaving in and out of the people walking past so I don't piss off anyone else this morning, I stop at a coffee cart and get a small coffee.

My body hums in response to the caffeine as I take a sip. Just what I need.

Smiling and filled with determination at my new sense of freedom, I soak up the morning sunshine as it plays hide and seek between the tall buildings. I can do anything here- eat what I want, run, and exercise- and I don't have to ask Derek for permission to stay out a little later or go out for a drink.

Being able to breathe for the first time is a big fucking deal. Not living in constant fear is an incredible feeling. I'm ready for this.

I enjoy my coffee even with the increasing morning heat as excitement fills me as it never has before.

With each step I take past the gigantic buildings, my confidence grows.

Absorbed in my thoughts, I reach my destination sooner than I realize. I tighten my hold on the straps of my tiny designer backpack and force my feet forward. Walking through the doors, I gasp. The building is a damn fortress of glass. It's not what I imagined.

A brunette is seated at a rounded desk in the middle of the lobby. Exactly what I would expect to see at a large multi-billion-dollar corporation. A metal sign reads, "Lockhard Media".

A man dressed in an expensive-looking suit strolls over to the desk, getting there before I do, and flashes a million-dollar smile at the receptionist. Her face turns a pretty shade of pink. As I fight the urge to roll my eyes, he turns my way, eye-fucking me over from head to toe. His gaze is intense but playful, causing an intense heat to rise to my face despite my annoyance.

Flashing me the same smile, he tugs on his jacket and walks right past me.

Damn, dude. He must be a client.

Completely flustered, I turn back to the desk and glance down at the nameplate in front of the brunette. Chloe Mantelli. I plaster a smile on my face.

"Can I help you with something?" She says, her voice laced with venom. Apparently, she's irritated that I am not getting to my point.

What a great way to start the day.

Suddenly nervous and a little irritated at her shitty attitude, I tuck a stray hair behind my right ear. I wasn't expecting her to be rude. What now?

The inside of the building is gorgeous with its chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, comfy-looking white couches with rugs that look soft enough to sleep on, sleek tables stacked neatly with books, and plants everywhere. I can hear water trickling somewhere. A fountain most likely. It's far from what I'm used to seeing every day. Not that Chloe here would know or understand that.

"Yes, sorry," I say, smiling sweetly. Regardless of her mood, I'm ready to take on the fucking world. "I'm here for an interview. Kelsey Thomas".

Chloe looks at me as if I am an alien from another planet. She gives me a fake smile and pushes some buttons on her phone. If it were anyone else I would talk to her, but she doesn't seem interested.

Pasting the fakest smile on her face, she says, "Just have a seat. Someone will be right with you."

Her sing-song voice makes me want to gag. Gathering every ounce of patience within myself, I choose not to mock her. "Thank you."

Nothing will get in the way of me getting this job. Especially not some stuck-up, judgmental bitchy receptionist.

Walking away so I don't bitch-slap the shit out of her, I absorb the sitting area Ms. Bitch has directed me to. Smoothing my hand over the material on the couch, it feels like a teddy bear I had as a child. It's so soft! I long to slide my shoes off and scrunch up my toes on the fluffiness of the rug, but I resist the urge, instead making a mental note to look for one like this for my apartment. Exhaling, trying to relax and shake off my encounter with Chloe, I notice a small stack of books in the middle of the table. Untouched. They were literally brand new, never opened books.

Who puts books on a table and doesn't read them? 

Sociopaths.

I sit my bag on the floor beside me.

Working out and reading. My heaven. Choosing a book from the middle of the stack, I savor the smell and softness of the pages, fanning them out before I settle into the cushions and begin reading.

I snuggle into the cushions on the couch trying to make myself comfortable. This couch could use a few pillows and a throw blanket or two.

About ten pages in, I feel someone staring at me. The energy around me shifts, making me slightly self-conscious. Scanning the room, I notice someone standing by the elevator glancing my way. Flustered, I almost drop the book and quickly toss it onto the table.

Glancing at my phone, I realize how much time has passed, I tense and immediately panic once realization sets in.

"Shit," I mumble to myself, ignoring the gazes from the man who oddly looks familiar. It's hard to ignore how he looks in his jeans. His white t-shirt is hugging his biceps in all the right places.

Get it together, Kelsey.

Reprimanding myself, I stand and quickly walk over to the desk to talk to the ever-so-lovely Chloe.

I clear my throat and try to focus. "Hi, I'm so sorry," I say, tapping the counter. "Would you happen to know how much longer it will be?" Nervously, I glance over to the guy who is still very boldly watching me, as he leans against a wall holding a book and a stack of papers. He's tapping the papers against his mouth, leaving only his eyes available for me to see.

And oh, what a sight they are.

I fan myself off with my hand and get a raised eyebrow from Chloe in response.

"Hot flash or something," I mutter, smiling awkwardly.

She nods, going back to what she's doing. I spare another glance at the eye candy over by the elevator, not that I can see much of him.

Biting down on my lip, I dare to meet his gaze. I could easily get lost in him. With him. Swallowing hard, I quickly look away, refocusing my attention on Chloe.

Rolling her eyes as she notices me looking over by the elevator, she pushes some buttons on her phone. Checking my phone as a distraction, I take a deep breath. I haven't felt this nervous since I left Derek, and I certainly haven't been with anyone since him in the last year. It hadn't seemed like that long of a timespan until right now. Now it feels a bit like a draught.

It wasn't that I hadn't noticed the gazes of men since my breakup or that I was immune to them. Of course, I had. It's just that I focused on school and work, and promised myself that I would never let myself get that close to someone again because it always ends up the same.

Every. Single. Time.

They were all the same. No one had my best interest at heart. It was always about them. Always.

As she puts the phone down on the receiver, Chloe suddenly seems much happier. "It seems that someone had come down. You must not have heard them. Tough day, huh? So sorry. " Chloe smiles, sarcasm thick in her voice. I'm trying hard to control myself. I have the overwhelming urge to bitch slap her again.

You have got to be kidding me. "Okay, so is someone coming down now for the interview or?" I say as politely as I can, but I know my irritation is seeping through.

Chloe smiles sweetly, but you can tell she is enjoying every moment of torturing me. "Oh, I'm sorry honey. There are more interviews today and they won't have time. Hope you have a great day though." The phone rings and she picks it up and waves me off.

God, who hired this bitch?

Turning around, I take a deep breath, trying to wrap my head around what is happening. You have got to be kidding me. How could I get so absorbed in reading and not hear?!

I can feel tears pooling in my eyes. How could I be this irresponsible? How could I be this stupid? Why did I ever think this would work? I should have known better than to come here. Derek was right.

I am about to save myself from humiliation when the guy who had been watching me and Chloe's conversation walks up to the desk, drawing me back around. He gives Chloe a pointed look before speaking to me. She flushes and looks down at her desk. I can't help feeling smug at her feeling smaller.

Yeah, that's right bitch.

"Excuse me", he says looking my way. His voice is a deep vibration, causing me to suck in a breath. Tiny goosebumps spread on my arms, and the room spins slightly around me.

Dear God, not right now.

I look toward the exit, debating on just running out. I don't know any of these people. What do I care if they talk a bunch of shit once I leave? They are going to anyhow. I can feel sweat droplets at the back of my neck and my heart is pounding in my chest. Escaping is what I have done best recently and it's what I plan to do now.

"I'm sorry. I was just going," Putting a tight smile on my face, hoping the panic isn't obvious in my voice. There is no way in hell I can be in the same space as him right now and not lose my mind.

I start walking forward but I feel a hand on my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I look down at the warm, tingly spot on my skin. My entire world is spinning. I can't focus on anything other than him. His hand is covered with tattoos that lead up to his forearm and biceps. He's even more gorgeous up close. I can see the muscle outline of his chest through his t-shirt, and he smells fresh as if you could put the coast in all its majestic blue waters in a bottle.

Am I dreaming?

Reaching over, I pinch my arm, flinching at the pain I inflict on myself.

Nope, not sleeping.

Damn. Well, then, I blame it on that damned book!

He is standing close now. So close. My heart is about to beat out of my chest. Looking up at him, I regret it instantly. His eyes are a piercing green, the color of the forests back home, and he's looking right at me. He is breathtaking and I can't shake the feeling that I have seen him before. His hair is laid out in all the right places. Dark, thick waves that he keeps brushing away from the front of his eyes. God, he's hot.

I move my long black wavy hair to one side of my shoulder in hopes that it will cool me off some.

He is slightly taller than me and looking down at me, his gaze intense. I can't look away. It's as if we are in a bubble where only we exist. God, he is beautiful. I could get lost in his gaze forever.

Chloe coughing awkwardly instantly shakes me from my trance.

"I'm so sorry," I say quickly, shuffling my feet, "I...I was just leaving".

Just as I'm about to walk out the door, I hear, "I thought you were here for an interview".

Squeezing my eyes shut, then opening them, I turn around, "Wi...with you?" I stammer out, holding onto my backpack straps for dear life.

He looks around. "I mean. Unless you have somewhere else to be?" He smiles and it melts me in places I wasn't aware could get hot. Refraining from fanning myself, I consider just walking out. The smart part of my brain is telling me to look for a job elsewhere-red flags waving and signaling wildly.

I turn around to leave but don't walk away. My head is spinning, and I don't have time to consider anything.

Damnit!

I take a quick deep breath.

I am not a quitter! I came here for a job. I can surely control myself for a damn interview. This is ridiculous.

He is watching me curiously, probably wondering what I am thinking, or maybe he thinks I'm crazy. Trust me, dude, you do not want to see what's in this head.

Fuck it!

I turn around and walk over to where I was moments ago. I am a professional, I need this job, and I can do this- at least that is what I keep telling myself.

"As you were saying?" I say, smiling with a lot more confidence than I feel.

"Right this way," he says, motioning toward a hallway leading to a set of glass elevators.