His to Possess Read Online Free PDF Page B

band, indicating she was an employer.
    “My name’s Melanie Taylor.” Melanie held out her hand and Jessica shook it.
    “Hi. I’m Jessica Long.”
    Jessica sipped her coffee, wondering how many more employer booths she could squeeze
     in before the fair ended, two hours from now. To be honest, though, she’d be happy
     to just keep sitting here and veg until the whole thing was over. If it weren’t for
     the fact she had to justify her travel costs to get here, she’d leave right now.
    “You look pretty discouraged. The hunt not going well?” Melanie asked.
    Jessica glanced at her table companion. “No, not really. Every employer I’ve talked
     to wants specific experience I don’t have. I don’t know how to break into something
     new and what I was doing before is so general that no one is really interested.”
    Melanie nodded. “I know what you mean. Have you talked to anyone at Ranier?”
    Below Melanie’s name on her badge were the words Ranier Industries, so that was the
     company she represented.
    “Yes, they were one of the first companies I handed my résumé to, but the lines were
     so long I didn’t get a chance to talk to anyone. They look like a great place to work.”
    “We’re a growing company and we have fabulous benefits.”
    “That’s great.” Jessica found herself wearing her positive smile—the same smile she’d
     plastered on her face for the past two days—but she doubted she’d hear from them,
     since so many people were handing in their résumés and they probably all had way more
     relevant experience than she did.
    She stroked the stone in her pocket.
    “Oh, honey,” Melanie said, “I can see your eyes glazing over and that smile is pathetic.”
     At Jessica’s frown, Melanie smiled warmly. “I’m sorry, I’m not criticizing. I totally
     sympathize. I’m not with Human Resources—I’m just helping out at the booth today because,
     as you saw, they’re swamped—but I feel for you, and all the others that come by. It’s
     tough out there.”
    “I’ve been out of work for four months. I’m probably going to have to give up my apartment
     and move in with my parents.” She hated having to admit that. A grown woman shouldn’t
     have to live with her parents.
    “Oh, you poor thing. I just had my roommate move out a month ago and I haven’t been
     able to replace her, so I’m feeling the pinch, but I sure wouldn’t want to have to
     move in with my mom. I love her dearly and all but, whoa, that’s too close quarters
     for me.”
    Melanie glanced at her watch. “Look, my break is almost over, but come on back to
     the booth with me. I’ll get you in to talk to Stephanie in Human Resources. You can
     give her a new copy of your résumé and have a bit of a talk with her. She’s really
     nice.” She smiled warmly. “And I’ll put in a good word for you.” She stood up and
     gathered her things.
    “Thank you, I really appreciate it.” Jessica stood up and grabbed her purse and briefcase.
    “You look stunned.”
    “Well, we don’t even know each other. I’m not sure why you’d be willing to go out
     on a limb for me.”
    She followed Melanie through the crowd.
    “You remind me of myself two years ago when I was standing in your shoes, so trust
     me, I know how much it sucks to be unemployed.”
    They arrived at the Ranier booth and Melanie smiled brightly. “And if you want some
     company for dinner, come by the booth later.”
    “I’d like that, but my flight leaves at seven, so I have to head to the airport as
     soon as this is over.”
    “Of course.” Melanie pulled out a card and handed it to Jessica. “Well, if you do
     get a callback for an interview in town, or wind up living here, give me a call. I
     could show you around the city.”
    Jessica took the card and tucked it in her purse. “Thanks.”
    It was nice to know that if she got the opportunity to move to the city, she’d know
     at least one person.
    “Now, let’s go find