Read Online Breaching His Defenses (Love Hack #1) by Allyson Lindt - Free Book Online
Authors: Allyson Lindt
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up the rest of her stuff.
“Mikki.” A pleasant female voice cut through her rambling thoughts as she left the room.
She whirled to face Vivian. Given the time they’d spent together when she’d interviewed with Skriddie Bust—they’d hung out after hours, seen the town, all as part of the recruitment speech—this conversation should be casual and normal. But Vivian knew. Maybe everything, since she’d seen them singing together last night, and it looked like she’d been running interference while Jared talked to Mikki. Does she think less of me? Is that even possible? Based on what Hayden had told her, Vivian’s opinion of her was no longer measurable anyway. She hoped her tone sounded even and calm. “Good to see you again.”
Vivian’s smile grew, never appearing anything but genuine. Every hair was perfectly in place, and her suit looked like it cost more than everything Mikki had packed. “You never told me you’re so impressive on stage.”
Is she talking about last night, or today? “It’s not really the kind of thing that comes up in casual conversation.”
“I guess not. I’ll let you get back to work soon. I just wanted to let you know it was a great presentation. I’m just sorry you weren’t giving it for us.”
A trickle of surprise nudged Mikki’s senses, surging around every time Hayden had warned her that Skriddie was disappointed in her actions. On several occasions, he’d told her Vivian made no secret of the fact she was glad she hadn’t hired Mikki after all. What were the words he’d used? That Vivian couldn’t have someone working for her who didn’t know the difference between ethics and a challenge. “I’m sor—”
“Don’t.” Vivian waved her off. “You did what was right for you. But you should know, I still want you on our team, so if you ever change your mind…”
Mikki shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She’s kidding, right? She started to say she was happy where she was, but the words died before they reached her lips. Odd. “I didn’t think the job was still available.”
Vivian furrowed her brows. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You know… What I did.”
“It’s in the past now, right? We’re all adults. We can handle it.” Vivian adjusted her purse and glanced at her phone. “I’m sorry, I have an appointment. You still have my card?”
At least no one there was still mad about her hack. A guilt Mikki didn’t know she was carrying slipped away. They exchanged handshakes and said their goodbyes. As soon as the other woman was gone, Mikki sank into a nearby chair. Her head was whirling even more than before. The two contrasting conversations had her thoughts in a jumble. She wasn’t cut out for this casual sex thing, so why was she willing to do it again if it meant another night with him?
Bad road to go down . She needed to get back to work. She forced her feet one in front of the other toward the exhibit hall.
The next hour in the NSS booth dragged like dial-up. People came and went, but most of them only stopped for the free stress-relief balls with the company logo on them. She couldn’t ignore her tingle of disappointment at the distinct lack of Jared’s familiar face in the Skriddie booth.
“Michaela.” Hayden stepped into an empty spot next to her, smile wide and warm. “Great job this morning. Everyone’s talking about the impression you left, and we’ve pulled in a couple of significant leads.”
“Thanks.” The compliment warmed her, and she couldn’t help but grin. It was true, sometimes he fell into the repetitive, micro-manager role, but it was times like this she remembered he really did recognize and appreciate her skills.
“So.” He puffed out his cheeks and exhaled slowly. “Something’s come up this afternoon, and I need you to step in a second time.”
Her mind whirred, trying to process the words. “For…?”
“There’s that panel on shopping cart security. I can’t make it, so
“Mikki.” A pleasant female voice cut through her rambling thoughts as she left the room.
She whirled to face Vivian. Given the time they’d spent together when she’d interviewed with Skriddie Bust—they’d hung out after hours, seen the town, all as part of the recruitment speech—this conversation should be casual and normal. But Vivian knew. Maybe everything, since she’d seen them singing together last night, and it looked like she’d been running interference while Jared talked to Mikki. Does she think less of me? Is that even possible? Based on what Hayden had told her, Vivian’s opinion of her was no longer measurable anyway. She hoped her tone sounded even and calm. “Good to see you again.”
Vivian’s smile grew, never appearing anything but genuine. Every hair was perfectly in place, and her suit looked like it cost more than everything Mikki had packed. “You never told me you’re so impressive on stage.”
Is she talking about last night, or today? “It’s not really the kind of thing that comes up in casual conversation.”
“I guess not. I’ll let you get back to work soon. I just wanted to let you know it was a great presentation. I’m just sorry you weren’t giving it for us.”
A trickle of surprise nudged Mikki’s senses, surging around every time Hayden had warned her that Skriddie was disappointed in her actions. On several occasions, he’d told her Vivian made no secret of the fact she was glad she hadn’t hired Mikki after all. What were the words he’d used? That Vivian couldn’t have someone working for her who didn’t know the difference between ethics and a challenge. “I’m sor—”
“Don’t.” Vivian waved her off. “You did what was right for you. But you should know, I still want you on our team, so if you ever change your mind…”
Mikki shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She’s kidding, right? She started to say she was happy where she was, but the words died before they reached her lips. Odd. “I didn’t think the job was still available.”
Vivian furrowed her brows. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You know… What I did.”
“It’s in the past now, right? We’re all adults. We can handle it.” Vivian adjusted her purse and glanced at her phone. “I’m sorry, I have an appointment. You still have my card?”
At least no one there was still mad about her hack. A guilt Mikki didn’t know she was carrying slipped away. They exchanged handshakes and said their goodbyes. As soon as the other woman was gone, Mikki sank into a nearby chair. Her head was whirling even more than before. The two contrasting conversations had her thoughts in a jumble. She wasn’t cut out for this casual sex thing, so why was she willing to do it again if it meant another night with him?
Bad road to go down . She needed to get back to work. She forced her feet one in front of the other toward the exhibit hall.
The next hour in the NSS booth dragged like dial-up. People came and went, but most of them only stopped for the free stress-relief balls with the company logo on them. She couldn’t ignore her tingle of disappointment at the distinct lack of Jared’s familiar face in the Skriddie booth.
“Michaela.” Hayden stepped into an empty spot next to her, smile wide and warm. “Great job this morning. Everyone’s talking about the impression you left, and we’ve pulled in a couple of significant leads.”
“Thanks.” The compliment warmed her, and she couldn’t help but grin. It was true, sometimes he fell into the repetitive, micro-manager role, but it was times like this she remembered he really did recognize and appreciate her skills.
“So.” He puffed out his cheeks and exhaled slowly. “Something’s come up this afternoon, and I need you to step in a second time.”
Her mind whirred, trying to process the words. “For…?”
“There’s that panel on shopping cart security. I can’t make it, so
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