Nice Girl (5 page)

“I thought you and Jamie decided…..office manager.”

Hmmm.  He was being quite accommodating.  I think they’re desperate but I let it feed my ego.

I laughed “….or even office manager.  But I’m in the graduate program at John Adams in Criminology.  I see an interesting correlation with my studies and the type of cases you do here.”

I saw his eyes perk up at when I mentioned I was a graduate student.
  See, no flighty female here
.   I took advantage and went on. 

“I hope by next year to make the grades for the combined masters and PhD program.  I want to be a college professor.  I think my experience here will add many lively examples to my lectures.  I also have to be forthcoming in that I was looking for some sort of research assistantship.  However, there are no openings at this time.  It’s probably because I started in the spring semester.  The benefit of a research assistantship is that it would have been adapted to my school schedule.  Would you be able to be flexible?”

“You can be assured of that.  You’re hired.  $15.00 an hour.  Starting at 20 hours a week.  You set the hours.  Just give me your class schedule so I know if you can open up in the morning or not.”

I think my jaw dropped to the floor. 
It was that easy?
 

“I don’t have my resume on me but I can get it to you along with my references.”

“Don’t need them.  You will find that private investigators are strong judges of character.  Welcome aboard.”  He stood up to shake my hand and Jamie suddenly appeared.

“I told you that you were going to hire her.  I’m the strong judge of character not you.”

               
Small office.  Big ears.  I would have to remember that.

“Jamie, if it weren’t for the fact that we finally got a secra…., I mean, office manager, I’d tell you where you could stick your judgement.  Grace, what time can you start tomorrow?”

Tomorrow?  Holy shit.  It was starting fast.

“Well, this semester, my classes don’t start until 4pm so I can open every day for you.”

Anthony looked totally relieved.

“Told you man, she is going to be gold.  Now we can do our late night surveillances without clients getting pissy that no one is answering the phone in the morning.”

“I’ll meet you here tomorrow at 9am, Grace.  I’ll get a key made for you this afternoon.”  The phone rang and Anthony looked annoyed.  I could tell he doesn’t like answering the phone.  “I’ll get this.  Jamie, show her around.  I’ll see you tomorrow, Grace.”  He sighed before he picked up the phone, “A and V private investigations.”

“Come on Grace.  Time for the tour.” 

We walked out of Anthony’s office.  As soon as we turned the hall, I noticed a large African American man balancing a box trying to get one of the office doors open.

“Grace, call the police, there is a large black man trying to break in.”

Huh?

“Very funny, Jamie.  Your black jokes are already getting old and I haven’t even started.” 

“My jokes are getting old?  Not possible.  Grace, please meet Jamal.  Jamal, Grace is our new office manager.”

Jamal balanced the box in one hand and stuck out the other.  God, he looked strong.  Linebacker strong. 

“Nice to meet you, Grace.  I thought they were hiring a secretary.  Office manager, huh? Good for you.  I like a woman who shows some authority.”

Although he had a physique that showed he could crush me, I liked him immediately.

“Jamal is just saying that because he’s whipped.”  I looked at Jamie a little confused so he continued.  “You don’t know what I mean, Grace, by whipped?  He’s engaged.  He gets married in June and his woman runs the show, believe me.” 

Yes, I did like Jamal. 

“Jamie, you do know that my Ivy can kick your ass so I’d can the sarcasm.”

“Ivy loves me as much as you, Jamal.” Jamie laughed as he led me back down the hall. 

“Yeah, unfortunately, she does.” Jamal mutters as he brought his box into what I assumed was his office.

What was it about Jamie?  I thought it was just me who felt a warm attraction.  Not sexual.  Just comfortable.  Apparently this Ivy did too.  What was strange was that Jamal did not seem the least bit jealous about it. 

The tour with Jamie did not last that long.  The place was not very big.  A messy overstuffed lobby that I could see was going to be priority number one tomorrow.  It looked like it was going to take me all morning to just clear off that table. 

“Does the office manager get a desk?”  I asked looking directly at the table.

Jamie laughed.  “Don’t worry, Miss office manager, we actually have one being delivered tomorrow.  How’s that for karma? “

Down the hall from the lobby were five offices.  One for each of the investigators – Jamie, Jamal, Vinnie, and Anthony.  The fifth office was going to serve as a conference room.   That room had no furniture in it.   I felt sort of excited to be part of a business that was taking off.   At the end of the hallway was a small kitchen.  It was all kind of quaint.  Just a mess.  Jamie talked nonstop of their plans for the place.  He was very dramatic.  At one point, his cell phone rang. 

“Hello lover.”  His voice crooned.  “Yes, I’m picking up the salmon on the way home.  Now, how could I forget my baby’s favorite dish of the day?  Besides me, of course.”  He winked at me again. 

Please tell me he is not flirting with me while talking to his girlfriend.   I know I wanted a challenge but I could not deal with a typical male sexist pig on my first day.  I didn’t think that was what Jamie was about.   He must have picked up on my disgusted look.

“Uh oh, new office manager, Grace, does not like me talking to my lover while I am supposed to be training her.”  He paused.  “Yes, we hired her today.  All because of me and my phenomenal judge of character.”  He paused again and then laughed so loud, my nerves rattled.  “No!  I am not going to warn her of you know who.  I think she’s tough enough.  See you soon, baby.”  He put his phone back in his pocket.  “My boyfriend, Luke, can’t wait to meet you.”

Boyfriend? 
Now that explains everything.  The neatness, the cuteness, the drama queen.  YES!  A gay guy.  What woman doesn’t want her new best friend to be a gay guy?  I was practically skipping back down the hall.  This job was going to be perfect.  Anthony and Jamal were total alpha males that I could mirror being just as aggressive and tough with.   If this Vinnie was as bad as they said he was, then make that three hard asses to practice on.  The cases that came out of this office were going to complement my future career.  This job was going to give me the ideal experience.  I couldn’t wait to text Eve. 

The new me was ready to conquer the male world starting with a group of private investigators.

As Jamie and I approached the lobby, I heard yelling.

“That fucking prick actually thought he was going to drop the subpoena after he was served.  I told him he was going to pick it up or I’d make sure he couldn’t ever pick something up from the floor again.”

“Vinnie, you didn’t need to strong arm him.  He was practically a midget.  Well everyone is a midget to you.  His boss called.  They’re threatening to sue for the disturbance.”  Anthony sounded exasperated.  I heard Jamal laughing.

“Jamal, don’t encourage him.  Vinnie, you’ve got to get your temper under control.  We are respectable now!”

Then the loudest most frightening voice ever continued  “I was in the fucking parking lot!  He doesn’t have grounds to sue.  Tell that boss I’m coming after him now.”

Jamie looked at me with sympathy.  “Well, here is your biggest treat of the day. “

I walked into the lobby to face the largest man I had ever seen up close.  He had to be at least six foot four or even five.  But it wasn’t just his height.  He was so broad.  You could fit three of me from one shoulder to the next.  He was wearing a plain white shirt but I swear his muscles seemed to be straining against it.  It was like whatever size this guy wore, it would never cover his powerful form.  His head was completely shaved which only seemed to accent the hard features of his face.  His voice was deep, husky, and I found my legs shaking when I heard “Tell that boss I’m coming after him now.”  He said it without any emotion.  He was pure aggression.  Could he be any scarier?  When he turned to notice me, I saw a scar that ran from his right ear to his chin.   He could have grown a beard to cover it up but I had a feeling he did not want to hide it.  It seemed to add to the whole package. 

Jamie did not seem the least bit intimidated by what had to be the meanest angriest man in New York City. “Wow, Vinnie.  It’s only Tuesday and already the death threats.”

Vinnie said nothing, just stared at me in way that gave my arms goose bumps.

Jamie continued, “Vinnie, meet our new office manager, Grace Locke.  She starts tomorrow.  Maybe you can not threaten to kill anyone tomorrow since it’s her first day.” 

Then, another chuckle from Jamal.  He sure enjoyed himself here. 

Vinnie took one more hard look at me.  Then, he turned to Anthony.  “I’ll be in my office.” He passed me by without a glance.   

Anthony started to take off after him still looking very pissed off.   He stopped when he passed by me.   I believe his tough features softened slightly when he looked at me. “The fun starts tomorrow, Grace.  See you at 9am.”

Strong Confident Woman
will not be pushed around by someone like Vinnie Lewis?  
Yeah okay
.  I knew right then I was in over my head. 

Chapter 5

It was the worst night’s sleep I’d had in a long time.   I wasn’t sure what made me more nervous.   Was it the first day at my new job or my first evening of classes?   Or…..Vinnie Lewis. 

I couldn’t get over what a fool I was. 

Yes, surround yourself with street hardened males.  Don’t worry.  You can meet the challenge.  You will toughen up and find your confidence.  Then, the first time I heard Vinnie’s angry voice, my legs start shaking so bad, I thought I wouldn’t be able to stand.  I can’t wait to misfile one of his cases or screw up one of his appointment times.  I predict I won’t last a month. 

My clock said 5am.  I planned on getting up at 6:30am to exercise for an hour before I had to leave for work.  I liked the idea that I could do my work out and not be rushed in the morning.  The fact that the office was only a few blocks from my dorm sure was convenient.  Once I quit though, I will have to totally avoid that Starbucks across the street.

Listen to yourself.  You are surrendering already.  I am so pathetic.

I closed my eyes and willed myself to think of something pleasant.  I imagined one of my professors being so impressed with my class participation that he decides he needs another teaching assistant.  Yes, I will be able to quit A and V private investigations for a respectable job.  I smile to myself.

The alarm goes off and scares me to death. 

6:30am?  Wasn’t it just 5am a couple of minutes ago?
 

Another nice perk about graduate housing is we have our own bathrooms.  No more going down the hall when you have to pee or brush your teeth.   Now, I can get completely naked when I weigh myself on the scale.  This morning I weighed 129.  Yes!  Another pound!  Why is it that women can plan their entire day’s happiness over a one pound loss?  Whatever.   I needed a boost to my self-esteem. 

I worked out like a crazy woman trying to sweat out all my nervousness.  After my shower, I looked at my hot new wardrobe.

Strong confident woman wearing a skirt and heels as she gives it right back to Mr. Hard Ass.

Reality quickly set in.  With all the moving of boxes I would be doing today, I figured a skirt would look stupid.   Instead, I chose a pair of skin tight capris.  They were a midnight blue.  I paired them with a white lacey top that covered up a white cami.  The reason I chose the capris was that I had the perfect pair of matching heels.  They weren’t too tall so I could be on my feet all day in them.  However, they did pack some height so I still felt attractive in them.  I looked at myself in the long mirror attached to my bathroom door. 

I got another surge of confidence.  I looked pretty good.  The 12 pounds that came off made my face look less pudgy.  I never considered myself ugly.  My features were pretty normal looking.  However, the weight gave me a hefty look in my face that I never liked looking at.  Now, with makeup on, I felt I could really bring out my brown eyes.  I was very lucky growing up in that I never had acne problems.  I have fair, almost porcelain skin.  My hair is the darkest brown with natural waves.  This meant I could get away with it curly or blow dry it straight.  It also meant whatever style I did choose was a lot of work.  It was long, almost to my waist.    Because of the time it takes to either blow dry it straight or curl it with an iron, I usually just put it up.   I think long hair is so sexy on women but I found myself not wanting to pile on this “look” too strong on my first day.    I put it up in a hair clip but made sure I had a few pieces coming out.

I grabbed my purse and turned my cell on.  I realized in all my anxiety from yesterday, I had my phone off the whole day.  My phone immediately beeped with a series of text messages.  Apparently I missed a juicy conversation between my girlfriends from last night.  The first message came in yesterday afternoon from Eve.

Eve:  All guys are assholes.  I’ve had it with men.  They are worthless and unnecessary to the human race.

Dee:  Well men are needed for something.  Don’t forget the pact.

Janie:  Dee, stop putting pressure on all of us!  Eve, what happened?

Eve:  I met several of the tribal police officers and they were totally insulting.

Dee:  Eve, there has to be one that you think is cute.

Eve:  THEY ALL ARE ASSHOLES!

Janie:  Sorry Eve, I couldn’t hear you.  Can you talk a little louder?

Eve:  I’ll email everyone tonight the depressing details.  Oh, can I add one more thing?  FUCK ALL MEN.

Looks like Eve has a story.   I relish in the fact that my girlfriends can always make me smile.  Just the distraction I need for the three block walk to A and V private Investigations.  Even though I’m ten minutes early, Anthony is already there.  As I walk into that extremely messy lobby, I actually feel gratitude.  I was going to be so busy organizing that I’m sure it will take my mind off of my nervousness.