An Unexpected Applicant

Karla leaned back in her chair, legs crossed at the thigh, watching the applicant across the desk. She recognized Pepper instantly, even before she spoke. The same mouth. The same eyes. The same girl who’d left her hanging mid-conversation a few months back. Pepper had no idea. Questions flew back and forth with just enough bite to feel off. "Why should I hire you?" turned into "Do you always give up so easily?" Pepper fidgeted in her seat, clearly confused, offering answers that didn’t quite land. Karla pressed harder, voice light but loaded. Finally Pepper stopped. "What’s going on?" Karla smiled, slow and steady. "We met on an app. Hit it off. You stopped replying." Pepper’s face dropped. She remembered now. "I was dealing with some shit," Pepper said. "I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you." She stood up, rounded the desk, and placed her palm on Karla’s thigh. "I can make you forget you were even pissed."