Attempting to keep a steady hold of all her books and papers and her picture of her parents AND step off the elevator looking all professional for her first day on the job was not easy. Especially in stilettos and a pencil skirt. Regardless. Ava knew she looked professional, from her frizz free bun down to her shiny black shoes.
As she did her best ‘new-to-the-office’ strut she noticed the sign posted on the wall in front of her. NO SHOE CLACKING.
Inwardly groaning, she now had to struggle to not clack her 3 inches of high heeled shoes while carrying all her stuff and look cool, collected, and professional. However it was nearly impossible to walk with confidence while trying to keep stilettos from making any noise, no matter how much, or how little, one was holding in their arms.
Her preplanned confident stride turned into an almost embarrassingly slow walk down the hall.
“Problem?” A warm male voice behind her chuckled as she was passing the receptionist’s desk.
“No. No problems here. Just walking.” It all came out rather fast. Then she made the mistake of stopping to look at who was speaking to her. Why did the first person to talk to her have to see her walking with all the awkwardness of a newborn fawn?
And apparently he had not been expecting her to stop because he barely managed to not run her over. Quickly Ava resumed her careful non-clacking crawl and Mr Nerdy Hotness himself was talking to her and matching his pace to hers.
“Where are you headed?” He gave a sort of gentlemanly head bow. “If I may be so bold to ask.”
“My new job. I didn’t know that shoes making noise was a problem so I’m wearing the wrong shoes. I’d take them off if I wasn’t so worried about making a good impression. Not that I could take them off with everything I’m carrying. I just can’t believe I’m going to mess up the first impression with my new boss because of my shoes. I was going for professional and now I feel more like a mess. Sorry.” Forcing her mouth shut so as to stop the verbal spewing, Ava almost bit her cheek.
“If I offer to hold your things you could take off your shoes until we get to your new desk. Would that help? You could slip them back on as soon as we get there.”
“What if he saw me?”
He shrugged. “Most of the top execs with offices on this floor are either away at meetings right now or heavily ensconced in their caves and won’t reemerge till they need more coffee. Who’s your new boss?”
Ava could feel herself relaxing. He was so calm. If she could make it to her desk then she could re-center herself and still start the day off on the right shoe…foot.
“A Mr. Harcourt. I’m his new personal assistant.” She handed over her armful of everything and bent to take off her shoes. When she reached for her things back he was already a few steps ahead of her and not looking back.
“I’d be happy to show you where you’re going if you don’t know already.” He nodded further down the hallway.
Ava quickly caught up to him, shoes in hand. “I figured I’d just go down the hall looking at the names on the doors. Your way sounds much faster…and more efficient.”
His laughter was warm and low as he glanced her way.
It didn’t take long to make it to the large door with the words Mr Daniel Harcourt emblazoned on it.
Ava followed him in where she found a desk sitting beside another large door.
“Your desk.” He announced, placing her bundle in the middle of the clear space.
“Do you think I should knock and let him know that I’m here?” She moved closer to the door. She was just about to knock when she looked down at her feet. Jumping back with a muffled squeal she dropped her shoes and hurried to put them on again. She set about straightening herself and threw her shoulders back. “Should I knock?” She hesitated again.
Ava couldn’t understand why he was blushing when she looked back at him.
“No need.” He glanced to the door leading out to the hallway, his hands shoved into his pockets.
“Why? Should I wait until he comes up for air?”
“Under normal circumstances I would say go right on in. However, since I know he isn’t in there right now, I’d say no.” He still wouldn’t look at her.
“How do you know?” Ava moved to the desk to start organizing her things. “Oh. I completely forgot. I guess my manners have been completely frazzled by it being my first day and everything. I’m Ava Michal.” She stuck her hand out across the desk to him.
Again he blushed. This time a small half smile appeared as he squared his shoulders and reached out to take her hand. “A pleasure Ms Michal. I’m Daniel.” He hesitated, taking a slow breath. “Daniel Harcourt.”
If she could have dropped her hand away from his, she would have. However he held tight, keeping eye contact with her, as if daring her to not be embarrassed. Before she could reply to the stunning news that she had been making the worst first impression of her life to her new boss, Mr Malone, the one who had hired her, popped his head in.
“Ahh good. I see you two have already met. I will stop back in after I track down the other new PA for Sherman. Then we’ll go on a tour.” With that he was gone, leaving Ava to stare up at her new boss.
“A-any chance you’ll forget the last twenty minutes and pretend we just met?” She ventured, absently fingering the pages of the book she’d been holding.
His chuckle was enough of an answer for her but he replied anyways. “No Ms Michal. I must admit I am a little glad of the way we met. Now we don’t have to pretend that we are stuffy professionals all the time. Besides, I rather like knowing that you took your shoes off.”
If it was possible for embarrassment to be fatal, she would be dead.
