Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Lawson stood as well. “One piece of news is that our own Alexander Bane is up for best landscape design for the Beaumont Buildings and grounds. His ideas were ingenious, and we’re thrilled for him. Very prestigious.”
Everyone clapped, myself included. Mr. Bane waved it off, but I was pleased for him. I had looked at his designs in the files. He was incredibly talented. I had no idea the scope of the things he was involved in. The planning, the intricate designs, the committees he sat on. Sustainable systems, mapping out entire communities, working with varied levels of governments to ensure his designs met and exceeded all required environmental responsibilities. I had seen the awards on his shelves.
No wonder the man was so serious.
The meeting ended, and I stood, heading back to the break room and grabbing my bag with lunch. I set up his plate and mine, carrying them to his office. He was at his desk as I slid the plate beside him. He looked at it with a confused frown. “That looks different.”
“Try it.”
I waited as he took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. He grunted, but it wasn’t in displeasure. “It’s…” He paused, and I waited for the usual “Fine.” But he surprised me. “Good. I like it. They changed the bread and the turkey?”
“Different deli. All fresh. Better.”
“Okay.”
“You’ll have to sign off on the credit card bill.”
He waved his hand. “Of course.”
“I might not always be able to get sandwiches there, but I’ll try.”
“Try hard.”
I hugged myself. I was giving my side extra points for this.
“I’m going to find out where to put my name in for the dinner.”
“Don’t.”
Disappointment filled me. “Is this because I stuck out my tongue at you?”
I was shocked when he chuckled. “No. Our assistants are always included. You don’t have to enter your name. You’ll all sit at one of the tables.”
“Oh. Are you sure?”
The eyebrow lifted, and I had to grin at him. It was a great silencer.
Again, he surprised me and returned my smile with one of his own. It changed his face entirely. What was stern and handsome became warm and intoxicating. A dimple appeared high on one cheek. His eyes turned a liquid blue. They resembled the sky on a hot summer day, clear, bright, and warm. He was devastatingly sexy.
“Okay, then,” I mumbled. “I’m going to eat my lunch.”
He hummed around a mouthful and turned to his laptop. I walked out of his office on a high.
It didn’t last long.
I headed to the break room to eat my lunch. It was empty, except for a table with some women I knew were from the assistant pool. Any one of the executives, visiting clients, or even partners had access to the pool if they required a temporary assistant. The four of them had been sitting at the other end of the boardroom. I had planned on going over and introducing myself when Mr. Bane had tugged on my elbow and told me to sit next to him. Watching them during the meeting, I got the feeling they were people I wouldn’t want to be around much. They seemed catty. Constantly whispering among themselves and making comments only the four of them could hear. It felt disrespectful to me.
Now, as I sat by myself, they ignored me, talking among themselves again, covering their mouths to hide their words, yet I knew they were discussing me. I was grateful when Rylee walked in, and I smiled and waved. They immediately began with their chatter again. I didn’t like that.
She came over after filling her coffee cup. “Hi.”
“Time for a quick break?” I asked.
She looked startled, then grinned. “Sure.”
She sat with me, her back to the group of women who were watching us, their eyes as sharp as their tongues no doubt were.
“Mean girls?” I asked with a smile on my face, my lips barely moving.
She took a sip of coffee with a nod. “The worst. It’s like high school all over again. I ignore them. Luckily, I rarely deal with that department. I give their tickets to others who come through.” She smiled sadly. “Still, they always have comments.”
“I know the type all too well. Some never move beyond graduation.”
There was a round of laughter behind us. Rylee shut her eyes. “They’re nice in front of the bigwigs. Other staff. They wait until you’re alone to get their digs in. So fake.” She took another sip. “They make fun of me whenever they can. My looks, my butt, my nerdiness.”
I frowned. Rylee was a pretty woman with soft blond hair and bright-green eyes, plus she was curvy like me and short. She wore glasses that gave her an owlish look, and her outfit was as unique as mine. Whereas I went for lace and silk, she liked leggings and long tunics. Simple, easy.