One Last Chance: Finding Love in Scotland Series Book 1

by Gina Azzi

  “Yes,” Cameron and I say in unison, like well-behaved first-years, and the woman’s mouth twitches with a smile.

  “I’m Eleanor, the receptionist and greeter around here. Let me show you to the Highlands Conference Room. We have four, but Highlands is the largest, and orientation will take place in there. There are five of you beginning today, so we will have a general on-boarding session and get everyone set up to begin work.”

  “Sounds good. Thanks,” I say, shifting my Neverfull bag on my forearm. Nerves rattle around my chest, causing my hands to feel clammy and the scarf around my neck to chafe against my skin. Recalling my first day of college orientation, the awkward huddles of insecure adolescents trying to connect over teambuilding games orchestrated by peppy upperclassmen, I swallow a shaky laugh. This is going to be nothing like college. But even then, I found Sierra and my life settled into place. Jax’s advice and Finn’s words about being social and making friends come back and I take a fortifying breath. I just need to put myself out there, create social connections, and everything will be fine.

  Cameron and I follow Eleanor to the conference room and when we step inside, three faces meet ours, two women and another guy. Immediately, my anxiety subsides as I take in their unsure expressions and jittery gestures. We’re all in the same boat. It’s a comforting realization.

  I say good morning and introduce myself to the other first-year employees present, as Cameron blurts out, “Look at ye lot, lookin’ all peely-wally. Come on now, we’re goin’ to start the first day of the rest of our lives here. Let’s at least look alive.”

  I snort at his enthusiasm as the other first-years smile or titter softly. The room generally loosens up with Cameron’s random chatter.

  I learn the names of the other three first-years: Melanie, Chloe, and Dennis. Melanie is also from Edinburgh, and she and Cameron have a slew of mutual friends. Chloe is from Aberdeen and Dennis from Ireland. We make polite conversation and chat about our weekends.

  “Are you all settled in?” Melanie asks next to me, her accent much softer than Cameron’s.

  “Mostly. I’ve only been here for the weekend so I haven’t done much yet, but I can’t wait to explore the city.”

  “Oh, you’re going to love it. Wait until you visit the castle and the Royal Mile. It’s really beautiful. I could show you around if you like.” She smiles warmly, swiping her side bangs behind her ear.

  Relief floods my chest. See, it’s already happening. You’re making friends. “That would be great, thanks.” I agree automatically.

  “Hey, don’t be makin’ plans without the rest of us.” Cameron cuts in.

  “I was just saying I could show Daisy around Edinburgh if you all want to join.” Melanie offers.

  “Let’s at least grab a pint after work before we subject ourselves to sightseein’.” Cameron groans.

  Dennis chuckles, “I’d like to see the city too. I’ve only been here a handful of times and it was always for my mum’s work.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Melanie folds her hands together neatly and grins at me. “We’ll grab a pint and then head downtown.”

  I lean back into my chair, my relief morphing into a calmness as the intense emotions I’ve been battling all morning subside. This is going to be good. I’m here, I’m claiming my future, and I’m ready for this adventure.

  I’m ready for it all.

  Work at Anderson begins immediately, and I’m grateful for the full immersion as it distracts me from obsessing about my professional shortcomings or not fitting in with the other first-years. I focus on orientation, memorize the name of each person I meet, and nearly squeal with delight over my tiny cubicle. Setting up my desk the way I like to work, I create my login information for the system, test out my new email address, and grin like a crazy lady when I receive an email from Aaron, Finn’s brother, aka the marketing guru, asking me to pop by his office.

  Knocking twice on his door, he calls out. “Come on in.”

  Opening the door, I step inside. “Hi.”

  “Hey Dais. How’s your first day going?”

  “Pretty good. Orientation has been informative and the other first-years are really nice. They’re even going to take me sight-seeing.”

  Aaron nods, his eyes flickering between me and his computer screen. A layer of scruff covers his cheeks and chin and his eyes look tired, haggard. I shift my weight, unsure if I should ask him if he’s okay, given our familiarity of his being Sierra’s cousin, but also wanting to respect our new relationship as boss and employee.

  “Did you learn about the competition yet?” Aaron asks, gesturing for me to take a seat.

  Sitting across from his desk, I cross my ankles and flip open to a fresh piece of paper in my notebook and shake my head.

  He shuffles through a drawer and pulls out a folder. Leaning forward, he passes it to me over his desk. It’s marked McKinnon Account. “We have a friendly competition at Anderson every year. Most of the first-years love it but a few of them hate the competitive nature, even if it’s all in good fun. I have a feeling you’ll enjoy it.”

  “Tell me about it.” A competition, a chance to prove myself, to show that I’m capable of embracing the Year of No Fear? Sign me up.

  “It’s among the first-year associates. You’ll all work on a special project in addition to your office responsibilities for the next ten weeks. The special project is a hands-on approach on a real account. It’s either a pitch for an account Anderson is trying to secure or a campaign for an existing client. This year, it’s focused on a marketing campaign and strategy for a client we already work with, McKinnon. Have you heard of them?”

  “The athletics company?”

  “Exactly. They’re rolling out a new sportswear clothing line, Athletix. All the information you need to know to get started is in that folder.” Aaron points to the folder he handed me. “For this project, the marketing first-years present their best ideas, and the winner gets the account.”

  “Fully secures the account?”

  “One-hundred percent theirs.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah.” Aaron grins at me. “Each first-year is assigned a mentor to oversee their progress, bounce ideas off of, ask questions.” He inclines his head toward me. “Congratulations, you’re stuck with me.”

  “The marketing guru himself?”

  He holds his hands up, chuckling. “Stop, you’ll make me blush.”

  I laugh. “What’s the catch of the competition?”

  “Why do you think there’s a catch?” Aaron asks, surprised.

  “Come on, there’s always a catch.”

  “You’re going to fit in well, Kane. You’re right. There is a catch. Well, not a catch so much as an incentive.”

  I raise my eyebrows, waiting.

  “The winner gets the account but also is the only first-year invited on the company retreat in April. All employees come after they complete one year at Anderson, but the winner of the competition is the only first-year employee allowed.”

  I can’t stop the smile that crosses my face, my mind already bouncing from one travel destination to another. Sandy beaches, snow-covered mountains, lush green forests. “And where is this year’s company retreat?”

  Aaron grins. “Costa Rica. Loads of outdoorsy challenges.”

  “Like zip lining?” I ask excitedly. Another opportunity to push myself, to prove myself.

  “Definitely zip lining.”

  “Expect us to win, Aaron.”

  “I have no doubt, Kane. You’ve got everything you need to dive in. If you have any questions, shoot me an email or pop by my office.”

  “Sounds good. Thanks.”

  “See you later.” Aaron says, turning back to his computer screen, his brow furrowing at whatever he’s reading.

  Tucking the folder under my arm, I walk back to my cubicle and flip open the file, my eyes greedily scanning the information packet inside. The next few hours fly by as I read up on McKinnon, learn more a
bout their UK competition, and even spend some time comparing the UK brands to the US brands that I’m more familiar with. My first impression for the campaign pitch is to focus on lifestyle and I jot down my thoughts on a Post-it and stick it to the first page in the folder. When five o’clock rolls around, I’m shocked that I’ve worked through lunch. Hello employee of the year.

  Logging out of my computer, I catch sight of Finn as he disappears into a conference room. A spike of awareness warms my blood as I drink him in. Clad in an expertly tailored charcoal suit, a colorful pocket square tucked into his front pocket, crisp white cuffs peeking from the sleeves of his jacket, he’s polished and professional. And just so effortlessly…everything. I hear the rumble of his voice, the cadence of his chuckle. Noting the tilt of his head, the firm handshake he offers to a woman he’s meeting with, he’s completely in his element.

  The conference room door closes behind Finn. A flicker of disappointment flares in my chest that he didn’t seek me out today, not even to wish me luck. Shaking my head, I clear the thought away. Instead of being distracted by my feelings for Finn, I need to focus on my job, win the competition, secure my first account at Anderson, and enjoy every second of sunbathing on a beautiful beach in Costa Rica. You know, priorities.

  “Daisy Kane, ye ready for a pint?” Cameron’s face peeks around my cubicle. He’s already buttoned into his winter coat, his computer bag slung over his shoulder.

  “A beer would be great.” I stand from my desk and tug on my coat. Gathering my notes and the McKinnon folder, I stuff them in my purse. Cameron hustles me out the door to join the other first years for my first professional happy hour. He’s also invited some of his friends who work nearby, and as I meet everyone and take a seat at a full table, I know I’d be making Jax proud.

  After a successful first day at work, I deserve the drink and social escape.

  “Hey, big brother,” I answer the incoming FaceTime, tucking my feet up under me on the couch.

  “How was your first day?” Carter asks, his face coming into focus.

  “It was awesome! I had all those stupid, nervous butterflies and didn’t know what to expect and then, it was so much better than I thought it would be. The other first-years are really nice, and I think I’m going to be good friends with them. It’s a fun group and the work is interesting and challenging. We already started working on our first account pitch. And…” I pause, taking in my brother’s stunned expression, “I’m blabbing, aren’t I?”

  Carter smirks, shaking his head. “No, I’m just, I don’t know, I’m happy for you. I didn’t think you’d do much on your first day but it’s good that you’re hitting the ground running and making friends and, yeah, settling into your new life. Anderson is lucky to have you, Dais. Don’t forget that.”

  I roll my eyes at his comment, knowing he has to be encouraging since he’s my brother.

  “How’s your apartment?” he asks.

  “It’s called a flat.” I say in an awful accent and Carter groans. “It’s beautiful. Wait, I’ll show you.” I flip the camera around and give him a quick tour, appreciating all his whistles and exclamations of how I’m living the life of luxury now.

  “Shut it. Your townhouse with Taylor is beautiful,” I remind him once we’re face to face again.

  He chuckles as Taylor screams out a “thank you” from somewhere in the background.

  “What’s going on by you?” I ask him.

  “Nothing as exciting as what’s happening in your life. You doing okay, Dais? For real?”

  “It’s strange, being so far away. I miss you all, but I’m doing okay. I’m much busier than I thought I’d be.” I smile, recalling my dinner with Finn last night. The way he made me laugh, how his fingers felt pressed into the small of my back. Gah! Why does he still affect me so deeply?

  Carter presses his lips together, his mouth thinning. I know whatever he says next is going to be serious. “You can always come home, you know. There’s no pressure to stay if it doesn’t work out.”

  “I know.”

  “Okay. Well, I’m proud of you, kid.”

  “Thanks.” I wave a hand at him, opening a kitchen cupboard and pulling out a box of granola bars I bought at the supermarket. Dropping two into my purse for tomorrow, or an emergency hunger spike, I replace the box and smile at my clean kitchen. “I’m going to get going, though. I’m pretty tired and want to read a little before I sleep.”

  Carter nods in understanding while Taylor bustles behind him in the kitchen, preparing a cup of tea. “Happy first week, Dais.” She blows me a kiss.

  “I’ll talk to you guys soon.” I wave to them.

  “Love you,” my brother murmurs, and my throat clogs with unexpected emotion. Even though Carter and I are super close, he’s not really one to lay his emotions out so openly.

  Behind him, Taylor smiles at the back of his head sweetly, and I hope he hurries up and proposes to her. She’d be an amazing sister.

  “Love you, too. I’ll call you soon.”

  “You better.”

  “’Night, guys.”

  “’Night, Dais.”

  I click off the call and shoot out a quick text to Sierra, informing her of my awesome first-day.

  Changing into my pajamas and sliding under my cool sheets, I pick up a romance novel I started on the plane and flip to chapter eleven. The ding of a text message cuts through the quiet and I pick up my phone, my lips curling into a smile at the message.

  Finn: Hope you had a good first day, love.

  Holding the phone tightly in my hand, I re-read his message. The disappointment from earlier melts away with Finn’s words.

  I barely make it halfway through the chapter before I’m snoring. Smile intact.

  To: Anderson Edinburgh Staff

  From: Senior Management

  Subject: Welcome Drinks

  Hi Everyone,

  Let’s get together at Reid’s Row after work today to welcome our newest hires: Dennis, Chloe, Daisy, Cameron, and Melanie. Happy hour starts at 5PM. Sorry for the short notice but if you can come round for a drink, see you there!

  Management Team

  I smile at the informal nature of the email. That’s one of the things I like best about Anderson; it’s a friendly, laid-back environment that encourages collaboration and teamwork. It seems like management promotes a work hard, play hard mentality and I look forward to meeting other Anderson employees later today.

  The work day passes by quickly and I head out for the happy hour sandwiched between Cameron and Melanie, the two Edinburgh natives who lead me to the pub. Reid’s Row is an old-fashioned pub not too far from the office. It’s casual and noisy and rowdy in the best possible way. From the moment we walk in, the jovial atmosphere puts me at ease, and I sigh in relief. The place reminds me, subtly, of Raf’s Bar and Grill—a place my brothers and I frequent back home. It’s cozy, clearly a neighborhood hangout, swelling with a sense of community and merriment that wraps around me like a warm hug.

  “There they are.” Cameron points to the back of the pub where some Anderson staff are gathered around a long, harvest table. Pints of beer, teas, and water glasses run along the edges of the table with various appetizers set in the center.

  “Welcome to Anderson.” A man I haven’t met yet steps forward as Cameron, Melanie, and I near the table. “I’m George. I work in IT.”

  “Nice to meet you. Daisy Kane.” I smile, shaking his hand.

  “Where in the States are you from?” George asks, taking a step closer.

  “Ah, can’t you guess, mate?” Finn cuts in, clasping a hand on George’s shoulder. “With a Southern twang like that?”

  “I prefer drawl.”

  “I’m sure you do, love.” Finn winks, his blue eyes playful.

  George excuses himself to say hello to arriving colleagues and Finn steps closer, his hand reaching out, wrapping around my shoulder in a quick hug before sliding off, a sheepish expression crossing his face. “How’s your fi
rst week?” His Scottish brogue whispers down my neck and I shiver. God, his accent. I could listen to him speak nonsense all day, and it wouldn’t be a waste of time.

  I close my eyes for a moment, breathing in the spice of his cologne, and with it, a memory of his body molded against mine. Clearing my throat, I step out of his embrace and grin up at him.

  “Really well.” I admit. “It’s been an easier transition than I thought. The other first-years are great. Melanie and Cameron,” I point them out, “are showing me around the city. I’m paired with your brother for the competition.”

  “I heard.”

  “I think the rest of the first-years are jealous. You know, because Aaron’s supposed to be the guru.”

  Finn chuckles, leaning his head back. His Adam’s apple bops up and down and he looks so laid back, so approachable, I shuffle backward half-a-step. Finn’s impossibly charismatic, charming in a way that puts everyone around him at ease. I’m naturally drawn to him, awareness prickling through my body at his presence. As much as I want to lose myself in our conversation, in sharing a moment with him, the professional element forces me to add space between us.

  “I haven’t heard guru yet.” He grins, sliding a hand down his clean-shaven jaw. “That just may be my favorite one. Until now, it’s been marketing master. But don’t tell him; he’s already got a big head.”

  I smile back.

  “How are things at your flat?” he asks.

  “Great. Really, it’s such a perfect location. Even Sierra was impressed.”

  “Well, that’s a good thing. She’s a tough one to please.”

  I snort. My best friend currently lives in her stepdad’s penthouse in Manhattan. Denver almost passed out when he moved in with her a few months ago.

  “You’re going to love living there, I think. If you need any recommendations for bistros or whatnot, message me.”

  “Yeah, I will, thanks.” I say smoothly even though my heart rate ticks up at Finn’s words. Damn it, why does he affect me so much? We’re…friends. Colleagues. People who both love Sierra.