Chapter 201
**Sara**
I launched into my carefully rehearsed speech about the company's innovative approach to emerging markets and its impressive track record. Halfway through, he held up his hand.
"That's the textbook answer." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "I want to know why you're really here."
"Honestly?" I took a deep breath. "Because I want to learn from the best, and Westbridge has a reputation for taking risks that pay off. Plus, your corporate culture doesn't seem to involve soul-crushing conformity, if this interview is any indication."
He leaned back, looking pleased. "Soul-crushing conformity is so last decade."
The next twenty minutes flew by in a blur of questions about my thesis, my career goals, and my thoughts on various market trends. It felt more like a conversation than an interrogation, making it more nerve-wracking.
"Well," he closed my resume folder, "I'll be straight with you. This interview was mostly a formality."
My stomach did a backflip. "A formality?"
"Claire sent me your resume last week. Your credentials are impressive, and your recommendations are stellar. When Claire vouches for someone, I listen."
I blinked. Was he saying what I thought he was saying?
"Welcome to Westbridge Capital, Ms. Parker. Assuming you want the position?"
"Yes!" I caught myself. "I mean, yes, thank you. I would be honored."
"Excellent. HR will be in touch with the details." He stood and extended his hand.
I shook his hand. His grip was firm but not that crushing-your-fingers thing some executives did to prove their dominance.
"Thank you, Mr. Anderson. I won't let you down."
"Please, call me Lucas." He walked me to his office door. "And I know you won't. Claire has excellent judgment when it comes to talent."
I managed not to snort. Claire's judgment was excellent - at picking up guys at bars and juggling multiple "friends with benefits" without them ever finding out about each other. The mental image of straight-laced Lucas discovering Claire's rather colorful personal life almost made me laugh out loud.
"Speaking of Claire," Lucas continued, "she mentioned you two met at high school?"
"Yes, we were classmates."
"Wonderful. Always good to have personal recommendations from someone you trust."
I nodded, trying not to let my face betray my thoughts. If Lucas only knew that Claire's idea of "trust" involved juggling more men than a circus performer. Last I counted, she had what - four? No, five "special friends" on rotation. And that wasn't including the bartenders she collected like trading cards.
"Claire's quite discerning," I managed, biting back a smile.
"Indeed she is. Her brother and I go way back. Known her family for years."
Oh boy. The image of proper, polished Lucas discovering Claire's extremely active social calendar almost made me lose my professional composure. Thank god she'd mentioned they were strictly platonic friends - though, knowing Claire, that was probably because Lucas was too "corporate" for her taste.
"Small world," I said, desperately trying to keep my face neutral while my brain helpfully supplied memories of Claire's detailed stories about her various conquests.
"The financial world is smaller than most people think." Lucas checked his watch. "I have another meeting, but HR will be in touch soon with the paperwork."
"Thank you again for the opportunity." I smiled, pushing thoughts of Claire's romantic adventures out of my mind before I accidentally snorted or something equally unprofessional.
"Looking forward to having you on the team." He opened his office door. "Valentina will show you out."
As I followed Valentina back through the maze of offices, I had to bite my lip to keep from grinning. If Lucas knew even half of what Claire got up to in her free time, his perfectly styled hair would probably stand straight up in shock.
Then again, maybe that's why their friendship worked - he was all spreadsheets and strategic planning, while Claire's idea of strategy was figuring out how to schedule three dates in one night without anyone catching on.
Valentina led me to the elevator, her heels clicking against the marble floor in perfect rhythm. "HR will contact you within 48 hours."
"Thank you." The doors closed, and I finally let out the laugh I'd been holding in since Lucas mentioned Claire and trust in the same sentence.
Some things were definitely better left unsaid in job interviews.
My heels clicked against the sidewalk as I walked down the street, still riding the high of landing the position. The afternoon sun had turned the city into a concrete oven, and my blazer suddenly felt overkill.
I spotted a cafe across the street - one of those trendy places with exposed brick walls and probably overpriced lattes. Perfect. I needed caffeine and air conditioning, not necessarily in that order.
The barista looked up from wiping down the counter. "What can I get you?" she asked with the practiced cheerfulness of someone several hours into their shift.
I scanned the intimidatingly long menu board mounted on the wall behind her, filled with drinks that seemed to have more adjectives than actual coffee.
"Iced vanilla latte, please. Extra shot."
"Rough morning?"
"Actually, great morning. Just need to celebrate."
I settled into a corner table, kicking off my heels under the table. My feet sang hallelujah. Pulling out my phone, I typed out a quick message to Claire:
Me: You magical networking goddess! I got the job! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The reply came before I'd taken my first sip.
Claire: OMG CONGRATS!!! But forget the boring work stuff - how hot is Lucas in person?? Those blue eyes are illegal, right?
I nearly choked on my latte. Trust Claire to zoom past the career milestone and go straight to the eye-catching evaluation.
Me: Seriously? That's your first question?
Claire: Of course! Have you seen the man? He's like a magazine cover model who accidentally wandered into finance. Plus, that suit? Chef's kiss.
I rolled my eyes, taking another sip of my latte.
Me: Did you send me there for an interview or to set me up? Because I'm getting suspicious.
Claire: If I was setting you up, I'd be way more obvious. Though now that you mention it... corner office = desk sex opportunities. Just saying.
Me: I'm trying to be professional here!
Claire: Boring! Live a little. That mahogany desk has potential. And those floor-to-ceiling windows... kinky! Plus, he's loaded AND hot. Win-win.
I glanced around the cafe, paranoid that someone might be reading over my shoulder.
Me: I cannot believe you're discussing office furniture as sex props. What is wrong with you?
Claire: Everything, darling. That's why you love me. But seriously, imagine being bent over that desk while overlooking the city.
Me: Stop! I just got this job. I'm not going to jeopardize it by fantasizing about the CEO's furniture!
Claire: Fine, stick to the filing cabinets then. Less splinters.
Me: I'm not interested. Some of us actually care about our careers.
Claire: Ugh, you're no fun. First, you won't let me set you up with that hot bartender, and now you're turning down CEO eye candy? What happened to my wild friend?
Me: She grew up and got a job at a respectable company, which she'd like to keep.
Claire: B-O-R-I-N-G. Next, you'll tell me you're wearing granny panties to work.
Me: I'm blocking you now.
Claire: No, you're not. You love me too much. But fine, be professional. Just don't come crying to me when you're sexually frustrated in that corner office with its perfectly sturdy desk.
I put my phone face-down on the table, trying to erase the mental images Claire had so helpfully provided. Leave it to her to turn a perfectly innocent job interview into an office porn scenario.
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