Page 28 of Illicit Education
Mina licked her lips, searching for something in my eyes. “Are you currently in school?”
“Just graduated recently, actually, from Vassar. And I’m twenty-four.”
Mina’s eyes widened. “A degree from Vassar is an impressive accolade. It begs the question, though… Working in retail isn’t the usual next step for someone like yourself. What brings you to the shop today?”
“My friend said you were hiring. I guess she has a friend who works here.”
“Did she tell you anything else about my business?”
“No, and I have to reiterate… I really don’t know anything about lingerie.” I paused. “Or retail.”
“Okay, there’s nothing wrong with that.” Mina smiled warmly. “We all have to start somewhere. Are you employed anywhere else? Continuing your education?”
“I just began a full-time internship,” I said proudly. “It’s unpaid, so that’s why I need to find a part-time job.” With a shrug, I added, “I just need something in the evenings, honestly. What you described sounds perfect for me.”
“That’s great. What type of internship?”
“I’m spending the next three months at a romance imprint, learning the ins and outs of publishing.” Even just saying the words aloud filled me with a renewed sense of excitement. It wasn’t just any publishing house or romance imprint; Reed Romance was singlehandedly the biggest romance imprint in the world.
Mina nodded thoughtfully. “Is that what you’d like to do someday, Rylan, work in publishing?”
“Yes, definitely.”
“Then I assume you like to read…?”
“Oh, yes. As much as possible.”
Mina’s smile widened. “And, based on the internship, I’m assuming you prefer romance?”
“Absolutely.”
She gave a wistful little sigh. “I love anything romantic.” Mina motioned toward the closed office door and the lingerie store beyond. “Obviously.” She ran a red fingernail over her full bottom lip. “The right lingerie can set the mood. Dark and tantalizing or sweet and innocent… it can change with something as simple as fabric choice or colorway.”
Unsure of where this conversation was headed, I nodded agreement and waited.
“Candor, right?”
I nodded again. “Yes?”
“Many of my lingerie stores lead to a place called the Rabbit Hole.” She paused. “Are you familiar with the Rabbit Hole, Rylan?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Just Mina, please. I’m not old enough for ma’am yet.” She flashed a smile. “The Rabbit Hole is a sanctuary. A safe haven. Part nightclub, part…” Mina tilted her head. “What’s your favorite type of romance to read?”
I hadn’t expected that, but it was my favorite question. “I love enemies to lovers—all that angst.” I rubbed my hands together. “And sexy bad boys. Redeemable villains.”
“And, what about books about kinkier stuff, like… bondage?”
Okay, um…“I love BDSM books, but…” This interview was taking a strange turn. “I don’t understand what we’re talking about here.”
Discussing bondage during a job interview teetered on inappropriate, no?
Mina’s smile spread across her face again. “I’m so sorry.” She chuckled as she raised her hands in the air. “I’m getting ahead of myself here. Please forgive me. All of my employees have come to me based on personal recommendations. I don’t advertise—be it job postings or events in my clubs. Everything we do here is word of mouth, so I’m not used to interviewing someone who isn’t already aware of what I do.” She opened a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper, passing it across the desk. “Although we do have the average walk-in customers, my clientele tends to be a bit different than that of, say, Victoria’s Secret, or even La Perla. They have different needs, desires…lifestyles.”
She said the last word pointedly, piquing my curiosity. First the bondage question and now this… did she sell other stuff, not just lingerie? I hadn’t noticed any whips and chains, but to be fair, I hadn’t really looked around either.
“In addition to the basic employment paperwork, tax forms, et cetera, I would also need you to sign some additional documentation, similar to a non-disclosure agreement. Is that something you’d be willing to do?”