November Sky (Hardest Mistakes Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

me.
    “Hi.” I keep my face blank, she’s almost too cheery. I hate it. “So you’re interning here too?” she asks, gazing up at me expectantly, oblivious to my internal tirade. She has light blue eyes, almost grey. Instantly my mind conjures up an image of Jessica’s beautiful deep blue eyes. This girl’s eyes don’t even compare. Besides, this one wears glasses. I turn away from her and focus on the poor receptionist.
    “Hey.” The brown-haired woman moves to stand directly in front of me on her tippy toes, trying to get my attention. She’s kind of short. I gaze down at her uninterested. “I was talking to you. I asked you a question. Don’t be rude.” She huffs at me, placing her hands on her hips. I roll my eyes at her and open my mouth to tell her to get lost when the receptionist calls everyone to come over and collect their badges before following the HR Manager, who’s standing to the side near the elevators.
    I nudge my way past the pushy girl and snatch my badge off the desk, and then I walk over to the group gathering around the blonde HR Manager.
    “Good Morning everyone, my name is Georgia, and I will be helping you find your assigned departments so you can all start your blossoming careers.” Georgia smiles, showing off her pearly white teeth and clapping her hands in anticipation. “Now, I’ve already assigned everyone a partner or teammate. You will have to be there to help and support your partner through your internship. Let’s begin, shall we?”
    I sigh and glance around the dwindling group of people. Georgia calls out another two names and I look over at the last person besides me not assigned a partner. The pushy brunette strolls over to me with a smile. “Looks like we’ll be working together.”
    “No, anyone but you,” the words slip out before I can stop them. The brunette gasps and my eyes widen in horror when I realize what I’ve said. What the hell is wrong with me? My social skills are severely lacking. The girl spins on her heel and dashes through the foyer toward the central courtyard of the building. I glance up at Georgia, embarrassed. She raises her eyebrow at me and purses her lips in anger.
    “I didn’t mean to say that. I’m sorry,” I apologize, glancing at the other interns, who are staring at me in varying degrees of disgust or annoyance. I focus back on Georgia. “I’ll go find her then?”
    Georgia nods. “Be sure to keep your harsh comments to yourself in the future, Mr. Reed. I will meet you both up on the fifth floor when you’re ready.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” I turn and jog out to the courtyard, holding my bag steady on my shoulder as it bounces around.
    The central courtyard of Channel 8 is like one big, beautifully manicured garden. I stop and take in the multitude of colorful flowers and plants before walking down one of the concrete pathways, searching for the girl.
    I find her perched on one of the cement benches staring off into the distance.
    “Hi,” I say softly as I take a seat beside her. She fidgets with her I.D. badge in her lap, ignoring me. “Look, I’m sorry about what I said. I didn’t mean it.” I keep my gaze on her, waiting for her to acknowledge me. She twitches and turns her head to face me. Looking at her now, I realize she must be around my own age if not younger.
    “You’re such a liar. If you’re going to insult me in front of everyone, the least you could do is be truthful when you apologize,” she scoffs, clipping her badge back on her shirt and running her hands down her pant legs.
    I stare at her in shock, struggling to return my expression back to my normal unfeeling coldness. I nod and look down at my clenched hands. “You’re right. I’m sorry for being an asshole,” I reply flatly.
    The girl twists on the bench so she’s fully facing me and holds out her hand. “Bailey Nichols.”
    My mouth drops open in surprise. She let my insult go just like that. I reach out hesitantly and shake her hand.