Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
I look up at my dad.
“This is a kid’s event, Harold. I don’t belong here.”
My dad looks at the flyer with a puzzled expression.
“No, right here, see? There’s one called “About Lancaster” and another seminar titled “Industrial Tools 101.” Those are definitely meant for the older children.”
But my heart merely sinks upon hearing my dad say the words “older children.” I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe I can stay in the back and just hide among the adults.
But even more, as my eyes scan the schedule, I see that there’s no mention of the CEO Patrick Lancaster. Evidently, he’s not going to do a welcome, nor any type of keynote speech. Instead, this is more of a children’s festival than anything else.
“It’ll be fine,” I say with a wan smile at my dad. “I’ll have a good time.”
“You will!” beams my father. “It’s going to be fun. Now here we are,” he says, guiding me to a large conference room where there are red and pink streamers dangling from the ceiling as well as a face-painting station and an arts and crafts table. “Just let me set down my briefcase, and I’ll be back in a jiffy, sweetheart. You’ll have a good time.”
I smile as my dad waddles down the hall, leaving me alone in the kids’ party room. Who am I kidding? Today is going to be a bust. Not only will I learn nothing about office life, but I also won’t meet the handsome Patrick Lancaster either, much to my disappointment.
Oh well. Such is life, and with a sigh, I sit down at a small table with my chin in my hands. Maybe I can leave a little early and get back to high school. Or maybe, just maybe, Mr. Lancaster will materialize and we’ll share a kiss in the halls of this illustrious company.
Then I snort. Who am I kidding? As I sit there, a clown in full regalia enters with a boombox and a bunch of props. My time at Lancaster is going to be a bust, and there’s no Prince Charming waiting for me today.
3
Patrick
I’m washing my hands in the men’s room before heading back to my office. It’s a day like any other day.
I was drafted to come to Gainesville a year ago by my family. The city offered our company extraordinary incentives, including tax benefits, breaks on real estate, and employment opportunities. It made sense for our business, and as a result, I re-located, bringing with me a core of loyal employees.
But it’s been a bit tedious here in Gainesville. It’s a small town, and not at all like New York, where I used to live. Gainesville has a tiny population, and there are things like trees, flowers, and sunshine here. Not to sound jaded, but I hardly ever saw the sun in NYC. It was always blocked out by tall towers and skyscrapers.
Also, the people are different. They actually smile and say hello to you when you walk past, instead of scurrying by with their eyes on the ground. The men tend to be jolly and friendly, and the women are much more demure.
Well, sort of. Although the women in Gainesville are fine, I would say they’re still aggressive, just not as overtly aggressive when it comes to dating me. There are still plenty of scheming looks, hopeful sighs, and a lot of not-so-subtle hints too.
For example, two weeks ago I was out with Marie Krondike, who’s considered “hot stuff” around here. She’s pretty in a conventional way. She has a skinny frame, with long blonde hair almost down to her waist, and big blue eyes that look innocent. However, as she leaned close to me at the restaurant bar, her words were anything but innocent.
“How about we take it to your house, Patrick?” she purred throatily while batting her lashes. “This place is getting crowded and I could use a nightcap.”
I merely smiled.
“No, I think I’ll grab another beer, thanks.”
She leaned back with puzzlement in her eyes. Not many guys tell her no, I was willing to bet.
“Well, how about my apartment then, Mr. Lancaster? I’d love for you to meet my cat.”
At that, I shook my head.
“I’m sorry, but I’m allergic to cats. I’d be sneezing like a maniac once I met your kitten, even if he or she is very cute.”
But then Marie brightened.
“Well, I’ve got you there because Mr. Wiggles is actually a hairless cat, like Mr. Bigglesworth from Austin Powers. You know, the one that the evil character played by Mike Myers was always petting. You won’t sneeze after meeting Wiggles.”
I tried to contain my horror. I’m not a fan of hairless animals and I’m especially not a fan of Mr. Bigglesworth. He looked underfed and miserable in the movie, and seeing a version of him in real-life was not on my To-do list.