Unforgiven(16)

“I’m going to class,” he smirks.
“Class?”
“Yeah. I’m a fifth-year senior.” He laughs.
“A fifth-year senior?” I repeat.
“Yeah. It’s still to be determined if I’ll be making it to sixth-year senior.”
“Unbelievable,” I say under my breath. “So how is it that a college student can afford to live in a condo like that?”
“Ah, it’s my dad’s place. It’s nothing but a tax write-off for him and a party palace for me. I mean, former party palace, now that I have a next-door neighbor.” He winks at me. The elevator slows to a stop and the doors open. “After you.” He holds the door and smiles at me.
“Thanks. Have a good day at class,” I say, my tone snarky as I step out of the elevator and cut across the lobby.
“Have a good day at work,” he offers back and jogs away in the opposite direction.
 

 
The bustling newsroom and the number of people buzzing around seemingly oblivious to my presence immediately intimidates me. I’ve been here all of three minutes and have already received two dirty looks and an eye roll. “Good times,” I whisper to myself as I toss my purse on my desk and sit down in the ergonomic chair. My cell phone buzzes inside my purse and I pull it out to see who’s calling. Reagan. I hit ignore and set it on my desk.
“You must be the infamous Lindsay Christianson. I’m Michael Wilson. You can call me Mike; it just sounds more manly.” I look up to find “Mike” standing inside the entrance of my small cubicle, his arms resting on each side of the short walls, making the space feel even smaller than it really is.
“Infamous? No. Lindsay Christianson? Yes.” I smile at him and offer him my hand to shake. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” he says, reaching out to take my hand in his. His handshake is weak, but his smile is contagious, welcoming. I feel an instant connection to Mike and am happy he’s so friendly. “Well, you’ve been quite the talk around here for the last week.” His eyes dart around the newsroom as he lowers his voice.
“Why?” I ask, confused.
“You really have to ask that?” He chuckles and tosses his head back dramatically. “Are you all settled?” he asks as he changes the subject quickly. I make a mental note to follow up with him on that declaration later.
“As much as I will be for today.” I exhale loudly and look around the newsroom. People are moving around quickly as the morning news broadcast is coming to a close in a few minutes. Leaning in to me, Mike lowers his voice again and raises his eyebrows.
“I’ll help you navigate your first few days. The rumor mill is rampant already, so get your thick skin on and prepare yourself,” he says.
“I’ve been here for five minutes,” I say quietly, although I’m honestly not surprised. This industry is full of arrogant, self-absorbed, claw-your-way-to-the-top-and-take-out-anyone-in-your-way assholes—I’ve heard the stories.#p#分页标题#e#
“Started last week. What can I say? You’ve ruffled feathers and made waves even before your first day.”
“Awesome.” I shake my head.
“Just giving you fair warning. Come on; we have our morning production meeting and Rob will introduce you to everyone.”
Rob is the news director and my new boss. I tuck my phone into my clutch and shove it into one of the empty desk drawers. Grabbing a notebook and pen, I follow Mike through the newsroom to a large conference room where people have already taken seats and are chatting casually over cups of coffee and bottles of water.
“Good morning, everyone.” Rob’s voice is boisterous for this early in the morning. His smile is forced, but he commands attention. The room quiets quickly and everyone finds a seat either around the conference room table or along the wall, which is lined with chairs. Mike and I stand awkwardly just inside the conference room, all eyes on us. “This is Lindsay Christianson,” he announces to little fanfare. I get a few nods and tight smiles, but it’s as cold as a North Dakota winter in this conference room.
“Over here,” Mike mumbles, walking toward two open chairs that sit along a wall behind the conference table. I spend the meeting taking notes and observing everyone in this room. I can tell without even talking to most of them if I’ll like them or not. I judge people based upon their fake smiles, their uppity attitudes, and all around basic lack of kindness. I guarantee that Mike will be my only friend at work. Rob wraps up the morning meeting and everyone hustles to start on their assignments. I close my notebook and take a deep breath.