CHAPTER 1
“I walked into a job interview last week and who was there waiting to interview me? The guy always working on his laptop at my favorite coffee shop that I've been crushing on for the past few months. How was I supposed to sound professional when I was talking to Cappuccino Hottie?”
-Elise, Guest
Duquan’s Downlow on Dating and Love
Podcast episode #14
Three years earlier...
Lexy wasn’t taking any chances.
She checked her watch, nerves churning in her stomach. Her interview was in forty-five minutes, and Google Maps told her Manor House Productions was a two-minute walk away. She’d allowed for plenty of time in case she got lost, the trolly derailed, the lions escaped from Woodland Park Zoo, or any other disaster that might cause her to be late.
Interviews made her nervous at the best of times, but this wasn’t any old interview. This was a face-to-face with Merelda Sterling, founder and owner of Manor House Productions. Legendary in the television industry, and rumored to be terrifying.
Shaky hands smoothed back her blonde ponytail, ensuring no stray tendrils had escaped in the Seattle springtime breeze. Landing a position as Assistant Producer at the distinguished boutique production company would be the next step in her five-year career plan.
A chalkboard sign outside The Coffee Pod invited customers to “Come in and try the worst coffee that one woman on TripAdvisor ever had.” Chuckling, she pushed open the door. What the heck? She had time. If today went well, this might become her regular stop on her way to work.
The sharp tang of ground coffee beans filled the warm air inside, and the shrill whistle of the espresso machine steaming milk drowned out the chatter of conversation around her. Waiting for her order, she studied the mural of whales painted on the wall, a clever play on the name of the coffee shop.
“Medium latte,” The barista called out.
She grabbed the drink and took a cautious sip, mostly foam.
“For Nate,” the barista continued.
She froze mid-swallow. She had taken someone else’s beverage? How mortifying!
“I’m so sorry,” she said to the guy with tousled brown hair who stepped up to the counter, looking for his drink. “I took yours. I have an interview down the street, and I'm nervous.”
“Ah, you need it more than me then,” he said. His green eyes crinkled with laughter.
“Plus, I already drank from it.”
“Consider it yours.” He adjusted the motorcycle helmet in his grip. “Is your interview at Manor House Productions?”
“Yes. Do you work there?” Inside info would be a good thing.
“Mostly in their studio location across town. Nate.” He offered his hand. “Sound tech.”
“Lexy. Assistant Producer hopeful.” His hand clasped hers in a reassuring shake.
“Medium latte for Lexy,” the barista said.
Nate released her and reached for the coffee, flashing a grin as he covered her name with a paper sleeve. “If the guys see your name on my cup, they'll never call me anything else.”
“I really am sorry.”
“No problem. A word of advice regarding Merelda?”
“Happily.”
“Don’t let her intimidate you. That way, she'll respect you.”
“Easier said than done.”
“If you start to feel intimidated, picture her in those high heels she totters around on, trying to ride the S.L.U.T.”
“Excuse me?”
“The Seattle Lake Union Trolley. The S.L.U.T. Are you new to the city?”
“No,” she laughed. “You just caught me off guard.”
“See? You're already less nervous.”
She nodded. “I am. Thanks, Nate. If I get this job, I'll owe you a coffee.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
It wasn’t until they’d parted ways that she realized Nate, ‘sound tech’, was also Nate Douglas, lead guitarist in the up-and-coming local band, The Rainy Day Astronauts. If she landed this job, not only was she one step closer to her goal, she’d be working with a celebrity.
Find out what happens after this coffee shop meet cute.
https://www.amazon.com/Grants-Second-Chance-Carissa-Harper/dp/1989873707
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