four-inch pumps had been a trifle
ambitious, but that was Riley. She tackled every challenge with stubborn
determination. From the world economics class that seemed like Greek her first
week—she ended up getting an A—to traversing the ins and outs of the dating
world. When Riley put her mind to something, she succeeded.
Riley’s first few dates hadn’t worked out well. She had been
stiff and uncomfortable. However, she kept at it until she didn’t have to think
about smiling or laughing—or talking. Some of the men she met had intrigued her
enough to move on to a second date. And a third. A few had gained boyfriend
status. A couple had become lovers. Nothing serious, but nice. One was still a
good friend.
All in all, her love life was… nice. Successful, if not
spectacular.
The high heels were another matter. That endeavor quickly
morphed from wobbly experiment to what she assumed would be a lifelong love
affair. Soon, she was walking around like she had been born wearing stilettos.
The added height gave her confidence. Most days it was like gilding the lily.
The one thing the new Riley Preston didn’t lack was a belief in herself and her
abilities.
However, today she felt a bit shaky. She took a deep breath.
This, the Knights’ headquarters, was the site of her greatest defeat.
Sean McBride.
Riley didn’t think of him very often. Not anymore. He was a
part of her past. An important part. Her three-year obsession. Four, if she
were honest. It took her a year to gain perspective. Out of sight, out of
mind . It hadn’t seemed possible when she was twenty with a bleeding heart,
but eventually, it became the truth—not just a well-worn adage.
Confronting her demons was the final step to putting the
past behind her for good. Today was the first step in that journey. Visiting
the Knights’ facility late on a Monday afternoon—when she was certain Sean wasn’t
likely to be around—wasn’t cowardly, she assured herself. It was her way of
easing into her old life. The fewer bumps, the better.
The receptionist looked up from behind her desk. The sleek
blonde’s automatic smile didn’t mask the woman’s none-too-subtle once over.
Riley recognized the look. Who is this and is she worth my precious time ?
Making a mental note to keep her eye on—Riley read the woman’s name tag—Carrie,
she plastered on her own fake smile.
“May I help you?” Carrie asked.
“I need a pass.” Riley reached into her purse for her ID.
“Are you expected?”
“No.” That was putting it mildly . Her father would
not be happy to see her.
“Then I can’t help you.” This time, Carrie’s smile was
genuine.
“You could if you wanted to.” Riley slapped her driver’s
license onto the counter. “The name is Riley Preston.” When the woman’s eyes
widened, Riley nodded. “Yes, that Preston.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Preston.” Opening the top desk drawer,
Carrie fumbled with several clip-on badges. “I only have guest passes. I’m sure
you can go on through without one.”
Riley took the badge. “I’d rather not have to explain myself
every time I meet a new face. And Carrie?”
“Yes?”
“From now on, I’ll be coming in every day. I want to see you
treat everyone who walks through those doors with the utmost courtesy.
Understood?” Riley didn’t add, your job depends on it , but from the look
on Carrie’s face, it wasn’t necessary.
“Of course, Ms. Preston.”
Walking to the elevator, Riley wondered how long it would
take for news of her arrival to travel through the building. She punched the
button for the fifth floor. As the doors closed, she spied Carrie on the phone,
speaking animatedly. When she reached her floor, another woman, brunette
instead of blond, was there to greet her. Other than the color of her hair, the
women could have been twins.
It seemed large breasts were the overriding hiring criteria
at Knights’ headquarters these days.
ambitious, but that was Riley. She tackled every challenge with stubborn
determination. From the world economics class that seemed like Greek her first
week—she ended up getting an A—to traversing the ins and outs of the dating
world. When Riley put her mind to something, she succeeded.
Riley’s first few dates hadn’t worked out well. She had been
stiff and uncomfortable. However, she kept at it until she didn’t have to think
about smiling or laughing—or talking. Some of the men she met had intrigued her
enough to move on to a second date. And a third. A few had gained boyfriend
status. A couple had become lovers. Nothing serious, but nice. One was still a
good friend.
All in all, her love life was… nice. Successful, if not
spectacular.
The high heels were another matter. That endeavor quickly
morphed from wobbly experiment to what she assumed would be a lifelong love
affair. Soon, she was walking around like she had been born wearing stilettos.
The added height gave her confidence. Most days it was like gilding the lily.
The one thing the new Riley Preston didn’t lack was a belief in herself and her
abilities.
However, today she felt a bit shaky. She took a deep breath.
This, the Knights’ headquarters, was the site of her greatest defeat.
Sean McBride.
Riley didn’t think of him very often. Not anymore. He was a
part of her past. An important part. Her three-year obsession. Four, if she
were honest. It took her a year to gain perspective. Out of sight, out of
mind . It hadn’t seemed possible when she was twenty with a bleeding heart,
but eventually, it became the truth—not just a well-worn adage.
Confronting her demons was the final step to putting the
past behind her for good. Today was the first step in that journey. Visiting
the Knights’ facility late on a Monday afternoon—when she was certain Sean wasn’t
likely to be around—wasn’t cowardly, she assured herself. It was her way of
easing into her old life. The fewer bumps, the better.
The receptionist looked up from behind her desk. The sleek
blonde’s automatic smile didn’t mask the woman’s none-too-subtle once over.
Riley recognized the look. Who is this and is she worth my precious time ?
Making a mental note to keep her eye on—Riley read the woman’s name tag—Carrie,
she plastered on her own fake smile.
“May I help you?” Carrie asked.
“I need a pass.” Riley reached into her purse for her ID.
“Are you expected?”
“No.” That was putting it mildly . Her father would
not be happy to see her.
“Then I can’t help you.” This time, Carrie’s smile was
genuine.
“You could if you wanted to.” Riley slapped her driver’s
license onto the counter. “The name is Riley Preston.” When the woman’s eyes
widened, Riley nodded. “Yes, that Preston.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Preston.” Opening the top desk drawer,
Carrie fumbled with several clip-on badges. “I only have guest passes. I’m sure
you can go on through without one.”
Riley took the badge. “I’d rather not have to explain myself
every time I meet a new face. And Carrie?”
“Yes?”
“From now on, I’ll be coming in every day. I want to see you
treat everyone who walks through those doors with the utmost courtesy.
Understood?” Riley didn’t add, your job depends on it , but from the look
on Carrie’s face, it wasn’t necessary.
“Of course, Ms. Preston.”
Walking to the elevator, Riley wondered how long it would
take for news of her arrival to travel through the building. She punched the
button for the fifth floor. As the doors closed, she spied Carrie on the phone,
speaking animatedly. When she reached her floor, another woman, brunette
instead of blond, was there to greet her. Other than the color of her hair, the
women could have been twins.
It seemed large breasts were the overriding hiring criteria
at Knights’ headquarters these days.
Similar Books
