Love in Reverse Sample Sunday
“Weekends are some of our busiest days. Will you be able to work those?”
The gaze that had been confidently holding mine throughout the interview shifted, and I knew that he wouldn’t be a good fit. The guy was young and knowledgeable of cars, but the help I needed with deliveries extended beyond banker’s hours.
“I play for the Sharkfins, and most of our games are on Saturday. With run-throughs and pre-game requirements, I can’t commit to weekends until the season ends.”
“And that is?”
“Could be June or July if we make it to the postseason.”
“Do you foresee your squad making it this year?”
I didn’t keep up with the local minor league basketball team but could recall updates from the local news. Their record wasn’t promising, but it seemed not to be an issue for Devin since his face lit up as he answered more confidently than he had before.
“I have no doubt. So if I’m hired, I would need to be off by two on Tuesdays and Thursdays to make practice.”
I nodded and pretended to scribble the note on his application I’d used to refer to during the interview. I cut him some slack because he was barely twenty-one, but even at that age, he should know telling a potential boss what he couldn’t do for them wasn’t helpful. I did appreciate the transparency. I would’ve been leaning toward an offer if he hadn’t been upfront and honest about his limited schedule for up to the next six weeks. It was a nah for me.
“Understood. I have everything I need unless you have any questions for me.”
“No. I look forward to hearing back from you. You have a great collection here. The two-tone on the 9-11 on the showroom floor is sick.”
Hell yeah, it was. I’d only made room for the best in my business.
Following his lead, I stood and reached across my desk to shake his hand. “I appreciate that. We’re proud of it and all of our cars.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him the odds were better for his six-in-ten team going all the way and winning the championship than him getting a callback from me. I would let time burst that bubble.
“Yo, boss. Your next appointment slid through.”
Devin and I looked at my desk phone. I shook my head at the coarse update while Devin laughed at it.
This guy…
Felix was an excellent handler of our vehicles. His knowledge and passion were why he received top pay as a fleet manager, but the front desk was not a place for him. The need for more personnel was why I’d been in a constant rotation of interviews, looking for someone to help with front office responsibilities and face-to-face customer interactions.
The next candidate, however, was perfect for the front vacancy, but winning the lottery or getting a new Outkast album seemed more likely than me making the sale. That didn’t matter much to me. I wanted to make a point rather than a deal.
I stood in front of the door using my body to hold it open after Devin stepped out of my office, ready for battle. Quick clicking of what I guessed were high heels tapped on the floor, each louder as steps brought the next interviewee closer.
I looked down for a quick check and swiped down the wrinkles bunched in my slacks.
“You?”
The word was screeched and sounded like an accusation.
I looked up, met Felix’s confused stare over the woman’s head, and smiled. “Guilty. Thank you, Felix. I’ll take it from here.”
The confusion left his face after giving her a once-over. He nodded with amusement riddling his expression. “Fa sho.”
My grin remained when I shifted my sights back down to my guest after he returned to the front. “Yes, it’s me. Jabari Owens, founder of Exotic Escorts. It’s nice to see you, Ms. Gates.”
Her upper lip snarled at the hand I extended her way, causing me to drop it. Her nose bunched as if she’d smelled the foulest odor, making light reflect off the tiny stud in her nostril. She looked so offended I damn near had to fight the urge to sniff myself.
My nostrils, however, stretched on their own when she took two steps, sending a gust my way. It caught me off guard with how pleasing her scent was. It was a rich floral give-off that wasn’t overpowering. I liked it, knowing I shouldn’t, but good shit was good shit.
“The website said OJ Matthew founded and owned this place.”
“We can discuss further if you could step into my office. I prefer not to conduct interviews in the hallway.”
She looked around after being reminded of our surroundings. The lines in the center of her forehead returned when she looked back at me. Rolling her deep brown eyes, she took hard steps into my office, leaving me to follow her inside and close the door behind me.
“So… about that name?” She questioned from the visitor’s chair, facing forward as she addressed me.
Knowing it would piss her off, I took my time stretching out my steps, making it take longer for me to get to my desk. Her face was tighter when I finally sat across from her. Before she could go in, I answered her previous question. “I wanted a sense of mystery when I opened, so I transposed my first and last initials.”
“And used your middle name for the last.” Her accurate recall wasn’t expected and seemed to come as a surprise to her as well. She blinked and sat straighter in the chair, and cleared her throat.
“Precisely, Ms. Gates, or may I call you Oaklynn?”
“Let’s cut the shit, Jabari. Why go through with this? You could’ve called this off when my name came across your desk.”
I shook my head at the idea. “And pass on this chance encounter? You know me better than that.”
I could hear the sharp breath she inhaled through her flared nostrils. “Since I’m here, tell me, what’s the real deal here? Do you rent cars, or is that your cover for a highway of hoes?”
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my ankles, feeling my victory approaching. “The cars are my ladies of the night…or day. We’re flexible with rental periods. What other questions do you have?”
“None.” Her quick answer came as she stood from her seat.
“Thank you for coming.” I stood also, smirking while I administered my sweet revenge. They said it was best served cold, but the blood in me began to heat up as my eyes took a journey to take Oaklynn in. Smiling, I went in for the game point. “I’d like to offer you the job.”
Her eyes tightened as well as the grip on the strap of the purse hanging from her shoulder. “Fuck you.”
I knew she meant that from the depths of her. It brought a bigger smile to my face when I added, “That isn’t a part of the job description, but I’m willing to make concessions.”
“Concession my ass as I walk away.”
Don’t threaten me with a good time, baby.
Our talk had been satisfying enough. Still, I took a good look when she spun and walked out without a look or another word. The force she used to swing the door open was enough to sway shut behind her.
Oaklynn Gates.
A name one couldn’t forget. It was unique, as the face and body of its owner. Spending three years with her in a relationship in our early twenties further cemented her as someone I would remember. For more reasons than one, Oaklynn was someone I’d never forget. Especially when I had the unlimited pleasure of looking into her face as I was inside her body.
“Damn.”
I still stood chuckling when she was long gone, feeling like I’d won. “Nice to see you again too, my darling ex-girlfriend.”
I sat down and reviewed the updated lists of candidates Janay sent me this morning because the position still needed to be filled.