Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
I say, “Your boss is right here.”
“I’d love that,” my mom replies. “I miss both of you so much. Nick, you should take your boss out for drinks. You know, schmooze him.”
Listening to her plot with my brother is entertaining. They go back and forth before he asks her, “What have you been up to?”
“I started doing sunrise yoga on Thursdays again.” We nod as she continues, “Oh, and Andrew might be interested in this. Are you still there?”
“I’m here.”
“I saw Megan and Dalen Dalery at The Polo Lounge last week. She just recovered from a brow lift and looked refreshed.”
Nick’s eyes dart to mine, and he asks, “Dalen had a brow lift?”
“No, her mother, Megan, silly. Dalen is much too young for that. Speaking of Dalen, she looked so pretty in a pink dress. Do you and Dalen still talk, Andrew?”
“Not much, but I get an occasional text here and there.” It’s strange how a sexual relationship can turn into a platonic friendship, but it did for us. After a few months, we realized the sex was great, but we didn’t see a long-term relationship working out. The friendship was good, though. I think that’s why it was easy for us to stay friends. I don’t tell my mom that Dalen sends me texts with photos of her friends in hopes to set me up on a date. The last thing I want my mom to do is team up with my ex to play matchmaker for me.
Nick says, “Mom, Dad, we have another meeting to get to, so we’ll call you soon. Okay?”
“Of course,” my mom replies, “we have some relaxing to do. Your dad has taken to retirement like frosting to a cupcake.” I feel like there’s a lost opportunity by not using crumbs to a cookie, but she never mentions cookies. It must be the curse of being named after the sweet treat. “Take care of yourselves and have some fun. Love you.”
“Love you,” we both reply in unison.
I look at my brother. “You realize it’s midday in California, right? Our parents are hot-tubbing it in the middle of a workday.”
“I can only hope for such a glorious retirement.”
He might have a point. “Coffee?”
“Definitely.” He stands, ready to lead the way. “Break room or the coffee place downstairs?” Stopping just short of opening the door, he swears under his breath as he looks at his phone. “Shit. I can’t go. Barbara just added a call onto my schedule.”
“Who’s Barbara?”
“My new assistant.”
“What happened to Emily?”
He clicks his tongue. “She finally got the offer she was looking for.” I have a feeling he’s speaking in code, but it’s not something I care to riddle through right now. He adds, “Just a heads-up. I’m trying to wrap up a contract before the weekend. I may message you to help on this call. You have time?”
“No, but I’ll do it if it’s important.”
“It’s important.”
“Then just let me know.”
“Thanks, Andrew.”
He disappears, leaving the door to my office cracked open. I can’t work with a lot of noise from the office. And although the Cave is usually the quiet side, something is stirring in the ranks. I get up but pause before I exit. I know the chatter will stop as soon as they see me. I won’t eavesdrop, but sometimes, I’d like to be in on the goings-on around here.
Just as I step out, I overhear Justin from accounting ask Taylor, “Have you seen the new girl? She’s pretty hot. I think I’ll go introduce myself and offer to show her around the office, like the supply closet.”
Taylor asks, “I thought you had a girlfriend?”
“Always room for one on the side.” Justin laughs. Taylor doesn’t.
Neither do I. Making my presence known, I clear my throat.
Taylor ducks back into his cubicle, and Justin waves. Justin’s the brownnoser in the office. An accountant who’s gunning for my job. “Good afternoon, sir.”
The corner of my eye ticks. I get that I’m the head of the company, but since I’m not quite thirty, being called sir still bugs me. Justin bugs me as well, but he’s given me no cause to fire him yet, and he’s good with numbers, so he remains. I’m hoping HR finally handles him. Naturally, none of them are around to hear him talk about this special tour he wants to give.
“Afternoon,” I reply, now wondering who the new girl is. That’s a line I won’t cross, but he has my curiosity piqued.
My assistant, Mary, asks, “Can I do something for you?”
“No. I’m going to get a cup of coffee.”
She’s quick to rise. “I can get that for you.”
“It’s okay. I need the break.”
“All right,” she replies, sitting down again. She was hired right before I moved here. We’re both still learning the ropes. She also does excellent work.
When I enter the break room, I exchange greetings with two of my top human resources employees. Guess this is where Laurie and Joseph hide. Probably to get away from Justin. I chuckle at my joke.