Swipe Left for Love
wanted to slip to the floor and slink out of the office. “Just don’t let it get in the way of your work here.”Macie sat straighter as Nancy picked up the phone and ordered someone named Mark to her office. She waited while Nancy talked. Was she just offered a job and missed it? Nancy said ‘your work here’ so that had to mean she was hired. It wasn’t like she asked Macie if she wanted the job, which of course she did. It was a job. In graphic design. No more bartending or waiting tables or working at the gas station. No phone center job. Pride surged through her. She was going to do this and do the best damn job they’d ever seen.
“You’ll start immediately.” Nancy set the phone back in its cradle. “Part-time until you graduate then you’ll go full-time. As a part-timer, you’ll be paid hourly but once you’re full-time, you’ll be salary like everyone else. Do the freelancing on your own time with your own tools. Don’t use the station’s systems for that. Any questions so far?”
Macie shook her head because she couldn’t even open her mouth.
“Good.” Nancy leaned back in her chair and clasped her hands together over her abdomen. “This place is fast-paced and can burn out the strongest person in a matter of months. If you’re committed to the job, you’ll be fine. If you’re not, you’ll be gone before the fall shows start running promos.”
Macie nodded, again no voice to say a simple okay.
“You’ll report to me and me alone until such time I see fit. I’ll assign you tasks. Others will try. Ignore them. Even the talent. Sometimes they can be the worst.” She shot forward in her chair. This time Macie leaned back. “The associate producers like to think they’re me. They’re not. If one of them comes to you, and they will, just refer them to me. If they email you, forward it to me. Same with the on-air personalities. If it’s the sales department, refer them to my assistant. Got it?”
“Yes,” Macie finally muttered.
“And the other designers will try to pawn their work off on you. Just tell them to fuck off.”
This time Macie smiled as wide as she could. “Can I quote you on that?”
“Damn straight.” Nancy stood as the door opened behind Macie. “You and I, we’re going to make this station viable, Macie. As long as you listen to me and do what I tell you, success is within your grasp.” Over Macie’s shoulder, Nancy said, “Mark, get this lady on the payroll. She starts Monday in graphics.”
“Nancy, you know we have to wait until the background checks and drug screens come back before someone starts,” a deep voice said.
“You smoke anything lately?” Nancy asked Macie.
Macie snorted. She wasn’t stupid. The last time she smoked pot was at Christmas with her mom. “No. I’m clean.”
“Arrested lately?”
“Not since my freshman year.” She smiled at Nancy who matched it with one of her own.
“Oh God, what for?” Mark asked.
Macie turned around and almost fell back into her seat. Holy hotness. Mark was at least six-one with lush dark hair and smooth olive skin. He pinched his nose, waiting for an answer.
“I’m kidding,” Macie said. “I’ve always been the one to bail people out.” Mark dropped his hand and Macie got a full look at his gorgeous face. With his sharp cheekbones and wide eyes, Mark could’ve easily been one of the reporters or even an anchor. Macie knew she’d tune in to watch him night after night. “Never even had a speeding ticket.”
“Good.” He smiled. One of his front teeth was crooked, but it was endearing instead of ugly. Damn, he was hot. “Then we won’t have any issues.”
“Take her to your office and get the paperwork done immediately, Mark. I’m not fucking around here. I need her in house on Monday.” Nancy walked around the desk and stood beside Macie. She offered her hand, which Macie took and shook with confidence. “Macie, I look forward to working with you. Email me your class schedule and any days off you need for your friend’s wedding. We’ll work around those dates. But be aware that you’ll be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Make sure you plan for that in advance. Okay?”
“No problem.” Macie smiled as she followed Mark out of the office. She wanted to message Guy and let him know. The thought stopped her short. She had to scurry to catch up with Mark. Her mom should’ve been the first person she wanted to tell, then Lauren. She didn’t even know Guy. Hell, that wasn’t even his real name. And she hadn’t heard from him in a few days. Yeah, there might be a message in her inbox, but she hadn’t checked it since yesterday morning. Once she got the job interview, that had been her sole focus. Did that mean something? Macie really didn’t know. And this wasn’t the time to think about Guy or anything other than getting the job.
Toni, the receptionist who had given her a quick tour earlier, had shown her the administrative and sales offices, but only from the outside. They hadn’t bothered to go in. Mark opened the door and Macie followed him into a large room with three rows of four cubicles. At the end of the long room were two doors to what she assumed were offices. Each cube was occupied by someone on the phone. Mark lead her into the office on the left and she settled in a hard chair across from his desk. Mark didn’t say anything as he gathered up paperwork. He shoved it toward her.
“Do you have your license and social security card with you?” he asked.
Macie pulled them out of her purse and handed them over. She started filling out the forms. Mark mumbled about tax forms and I-9s on his side of the desk. She wanted to flirt with him, if only for the practice, but it wasn’t a