Made to Love Read Free

mentioned, Gabby owned a coffee
shop a few blocks away. 
                    “Reagan, what are your plans now that you’re
here in the Big Apple?  Any idea what you would like to do?” Paul asked as we
sat in their living room, stomachs full from the amazing tilapia Paul had
prepared for us.  My seafood experience to date had been what I ordered from
Long John Silvers, which admittedly was never the fish, but I surprised myself
by actually enjoying tonight’s meal. 
    I took a small sip of wine before
answering.   “I know I would like to work in graphic design.   I really like to
design websites, but I figure I’ll have to just take what I can for now, and
hopefully get my foot in the door somewhere,” I explained.
    “Websites? “  Paul looked intrigued. 
“Interesting.  And seems you’d not have any trouble finding work there.  I
mean, really, who doesn’t have a website these days?”
    “You know Cup of Joe’s website could use a
makeover,” Gabby suggested. 
    “Yes, Gabby pays for it and I don’t think
anyone even knows it exists,” Paul snickered and winked at Gabby.
    “I would be happy to look at it for you,” I
offered.  “I can even take a few orders for you, too.  I wasn’t all that shabby
at taking coffee orders in Austin,” I continued with a smile.  Probably
presumptuous of me to practically ask for a job, considering I’d known them for
all of five minutes, but these days it was all about who you knew.  And while I
had just about convinced myself that everything was going to be perfectly fine,
and the most amazing job would appear at the right time (repeating it to myself
nine thousand times a day kind of did that to me),  I couldn’t shake the small
pit of anxiety that had taken root in my stomach.  And so I was not above using
my connections, no matter how new or slim they appeared to be. 
    “Reagan, you will not come all the way to New
York just to pour coffee.  No offense Gabby, you know I love your coffee,”
Brooke chimed in.
    “None taken,” Gabby laughed good-naturedly. 
“I have a full staff right now anyway, but it’s good to know in case I get in a
pinch.”
                    “Brooke, why don’t you see if your fearless
leader needs any help in the design department?” Paul raised a single eyebrow
in her direction.  I turned to look at her.  Fearless leader—what?
    “I’m already on it,” Brooke replied with a
wave of her hand.  “I’ve made some calls and I’ll know more tomorrow. 
    I blinked, looked between Brooke and Paul,
and then blinked again.  “Wait a minute.  Brooke, you made some calls?  To
who?  Wait,” I paused as my eyes widened in recognition.  “To Elite?”  I shook
my head.  “No, Brooke.  You’ve already done enough for me as it is.  I don’t
expect this,” I protested.  Elite Design, Inc. was one of the most prestigious
design firms in the New York area.  I knew Brooke worked there, and had
secretly aspired to do the same.  But despite my earlier pep talk about
connections and ‘who you knew’, this is not something I would have ever asked
of her.  It was too much.
                    “Good Lord, girl!” Brooke laughed.  “When
opportunity comes knocking, you certainly don’t slam the door in its face. 
Like I said, I will know more tomorrow, and I can’t make any promises.  But I
will do what I can.  I’ve seen some of your work from Jen, and you’re good,
like crazy good.”
                    “Well, thank you,” I murmured, heat flushing
my face. 
    “Besides, if your resume doesn’t impress
them, that southern drawl certainly will.  You’ll have them eating out of your
hand in no time,” Gabby joked.
    “Hey!  It’s not that bad,” I countered. 
    We all laughed as Gabby refilled our wine
glasses.  I looked at each of their faces and repeated my mantra to myself.  It
really was going to be okay. 
     
    It turned out