Seeing Him Again

Gray

I am standing in the reception area at Sternpoint with my father because I have an interview with Mark Stern for the internship. Mark is my dad’s best friend and my childhood crush but it’s been years since I’ve seen him. After I graduated from college my dad recommended that I take an internship with Sternpoint because I love web designing and they have a department for everything.

When I was four years old, Mark would come over and I would ask him to read bedtime stories to me. He was happy to tuck me in, he was like a friend. When I was twelve years old, my crush on him developed. Something happened that year though, and he stopped coming over. I haven’t seen him since, but I didn’t bother to ask my dad about it. Eventually, my crush on him faded, and I completely forgot about him.

My father is wearing his usual navy blue suit, deep in conversation with the receptionist, laughing at her jokes. My dad is into real estate and loves it. I take a deep breath hoping to calm my nerves and readjust the bag strap on my shoulder. I decided to wear a white blouse that I’ve tucked inside of a black pencil skirt, with short black heels because I cannot walk well in high heels. I would break my neck trying. I left my hair in soft curls that hang loose on my back, my makeup is natural with a red lip. My dad and the receptionist laugh again. I roll my eyes as I pace the receptionist area.

I can see my reflection on the shiny white tiled floor. I look up at the screen above the receptionist that says Sternpoint on it and lists everything the company offers. It’s pretty impressive that this company does so many things, it’s no wonder that I haven’t seen Mark in ages. I wonder if he still looks as good as he did back then. I blow out a breath, what is taking so long?

“Honey, Mark is ready for you.” dad says, snapping me out of my thoughts. He stops in front of me, his hair is slicked back, and his dark brown eyes soften as proof that he is proud of me. He gives me an encouraging smile, “I will walk you to his office and then I’ll wait for you back here.” he says as he puts his hand on my arm, leading me towards a glass door that separates the rest of the other offices from the reception area.

The offices are all opaque and transparent glass. Everywhere I walk I can see my reflection. My dad stops in front of one of these offices. Before I stop, I look into this office through the glass and shock steals my breath as I lock eyes with him, my childhood crush, Mark Stern.

“Whoa, kiddo. Stop right there.” my dad says and stops me with both hands on my shoulders. I look back at my dad, “This is his office. I’m not sure if you remember Mark, but you will be in good hands.” he smiles at me, and then he turns his attention towards Mark. The office glass door is already open, and he walks inside. I follow behind him. Gosh, this is worse than I thought. I was trying not to look at him, so I looked at the white shiny tiled floor, biting my lower lip, and clasping my hands in front of my groin.

“Mark, How are you doing? This is Gray-Lynn.” my dad says.

“I’m very well, thank you, Weston.” I looked up immediately as he spoke. He is out of his seat, shaking my dad’s hand over his desk. His white dress shirt fits his muscles like a glove. His scruffy facial hair makes him appear like he hasn’t shaved in a week. His dark hair is slicked back. He sits down in his seat, his green eyes never leaving mine. My stomach does a back flip and I bite my lower lip.

“I will wait for you in the receptionist area.” dad says, leaving and closing the door behind me.

“You may take a seat,” Mark says as he clicks his pen. I sit in the chair directly in front of his desk, placing my bag on my lap. I made eye contact with him again. He is already looking at me, still clicking his pen. I didn’t even take in the surroundings of his office because it was like my eyes are glued to him, like a magnet. There is floor to ceiling windows behind him. “Gray-Lynn, it’s been a long time”, he slightly smiles softly, as he studies my face and then his eyes land on mine again. I swallow, unable to even speak, this is bad. “You have grown so much,” he says.

“So have you.” I clear my throat and I lick my lips, breaking eye contact. “I mean, yes it’s been a long time.” I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment, and I look up at him and he has an amused expression on his face, he breaks eye contact looking down at a page on his desk.

“Your father tells me that you would like to join the web design internship. What makes you think that web design is for you?” he asks as he looks up at me.

“Well, I enjoy it. I love doing all kinds of web designs and I have created a couple for some people who have just started their small businesses.” I clear my throat again. “I graduated from Seattle Central College, and I would like to have more work experience in this field,” I say. He looks at me amused. I think I did a crappy job of explaining.

“I already looked at your web designs after your father called me, and I think that you are talented. I thought you would have been in the publishing industry since you always loved to read books.”, he smiles at me. I give a light smile as I look down at my bag. “I guess I thought wrong. You don’t need to explain anything further, your work speaks for itself. I like it. You will start tomorrow alongside the other new web design interns and you will all meet the rest of the department. I am looking forward to seeing many great web designs from you, Gray-Lynn.” he says as he shifts in his seat, never taking his eyes off of me.

“Thank you,” I say. I feel as if all the air has been sucked out of the room. I need to get out of this office and away from him as fast as possible.

“That will be all Gray-Lynn. I will see you tomorrow.” he smiles at me.

I get up from my seat, and I smile at him before I walk towards the door. Gosh, my hand is shaky as I open it. As I walk past his office, I can still feel his eyes on me. I hope that I will not see him every day after I start tomorrow, because it was bad, I could hardly even speak to him. He is so attractive, I can’t breathe.