Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
I wonder if I got him away from the office, he would loosen up a fraction. He’s damn good at his job and seems to have a good sense of humor. A caring nature exists below that gruff exterior; I can see peeks at times.
I come out of my daydream with a screech and jump when my phone rings.
I see it’s Asher and contemplate between sending him straight to voicemail or screaming down the line at him. He’s the last person I want to talk to, but I can’t ignore him forever. We have history, and despite my anger, deep down, I know it was an accident.
Hazards of working for competitors.
I answer.
“Asher,” I say, with as little affection as I can muster.
I might be speaking to him, but I’m not about to forgive him immediately.
“Raven. Hi,” he says, sounding awkward for what might be the first time ever. “You’ve been impossible to track down.”
“That happens when your best friend stabs you in the back.”
He sighs. “You know that’s not what happened. I’d never—at least not intentionally.”
“I know, but it’s going to take me a bit to come to terms with that.”
“I understand.” He’s quiet for a moment, and I’m about to ask if there’s anything else when he finally speaks again. “What are you up to today? Could we grab lunch? Talk?”
My petty side screams to say no, but the other half—the loyal to a fault part—of me says we need to hash things out. I’ve never been one capable of holding grudges, even when it’s more than justified.
“Sure. I could do that.”
I hear his harsh breath, a sure sign he’s relieved. “Thank you.”
“I was going to make it an earlier lunch today. I have a lot of work to do.”
“That works for me. I’ll meet you in the cafeteria at eleven?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
I end the call without saying goodbye. Looking at the clock, I have two hours before I meet Asher, so I will myself to banish thoughts of Charles and concentrate on the materials in front of me. We’re on a deadline, and I won’t mess this up.
The marketing materials the creative team sent were amazing.
The first draft was beyond expectation. They got our vision immediately and ran with it. I had a few minor tweaks, but it took me less than an hour to list them in an email and get them sent back.
Shanda, the head of the team, said that the changes should be done by the afternoon for final approval.
I think Holly, Catelyn, and Spencer will love the vibes we’ve created for the first four campaigns. Fun, flirty, sensual, and sophisticated. All words that come to mind when you think of all three Diosa lines.
This afternoon, Reagan will come in to fill out his new hire paperwork and get set up in his cubicle. I have two more second interviews for the AlteredX assistant and my personal assistant after Reagan arrives.
By my calculations, we’ll have our team in place, new hire work done, and I can hold my first team meeting. I’m very excited to see it all coming together. Feels almost too good to be true.
I swing by to see Shelby before heading down to the cafeteria to meet Asher. Charles’s door is shut, and my eyes remain fixed on it for too long.
“Everything okay?” Shelby calls from her perch.
I pull my eyes away from the door to answer. “Yes. I just came to let you know I’m heading to lunch. I’ll be back by the time Reagan and my interviews arrive.”
“Perfect,” she says, looking down at her screen. “Charlie won’t be able to make it today. He had a last-minute meeting added to his calendar that he can’t miss.”
“Oh, okay,” I say, dread seeping in.
Is he already avoiding me?
“You’ll do fine,” she says, misreading my emotions. “You might very well appreciate him not being there. You can choose the people you want without dealing with his grumpy moods.” She cups her mouth with her hands. “He’s got one hell of a temper today.”
My eyebrows tip in. “Really? Any idea why?”
Now I’m really freaking out. Is what we did finally setting in? Does he regret it now?
She shakes her head. “No clue, but I have a feeling it has something to do with the meeting that was added to his calendar.” She leans over conspiratorially, lowering her voice. “Something is going on with his father.”
My eyebrows lift into my hairline this time. That I did not expect.
“Is everything okay?”
She shrugs. “Haven’t the slightest idea. But I did a little research.” Her cheeks turn beet red when she realizes her words make her sound nosy as hell. A trait I’m beginning to believe is just Shelby’s way.
“The man he’s meeting with is Mr. Cavendish’s attorney. The senior Cavendish,” she emphasizes. “From London.”
When I don’t say anything to that, she continues. “The same man who showed up out of nowhere last week.” She puckers her lips. “Something is definitely going on across the pond.”