Chapter 12
Charlotte
Tip #12: A rare, genuine smile from someone who’s usually all business can make you rethink everything you thought you knew about them.
I sat at my desk in Isaac’s office, scrolling through my email inbox. The usual reports, memos, and calendar invites filled the screen, and then I opened up the folder I used to autosort company-wide emails, and my screen was bombarded with dozens of variations of “ Subject: RE: Squirrel Health Initiative—Effective Immediately .”
I had a moment, and company-wide email chains that devolved like this were usually good for a laugh, so I clicked on the oldest email, which was from an employee in the marketing department.
Subject: RE: Squirrel Health Initiative—Effective Immediately
Management,
If the squirrels can’t eat from the garbage cans, what will they eat? They’re going to starve since you’re cutting them off from their food source!!1
Trista Pern, Marketing Team
The next message continued in a similar vein.
Subject: RE: RE: Squirrel Health Initiative—Effective Immediately
Stop freaking out, Trista. They’re squirrels. They’ll find other food to eat. Besides, if they don’t stop going through trash soon, they’re going to get diabetes.
Miriam Vernitz, Sales Department
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Squirrel Health Initiative—Effective Immediately
Management and Miriam,
If that’s the case, then Warner Print ought to get veterinary care for the squirrels, since it’s our fault they’re like this!
Trista Pern, Marketing Team
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Squirrel Health Initiative—Effective Immediately
Would you all stop hitting Reply All so the entire company isn’t subjected to this? You’re going to clutter up the email server at this rate.
Miguel Garcia, Executive Assistant to CEO Samuel Warner
I chucked as I started deleting the emails—it looked like Miguel’s request had been ignored, as there were dozens of responses to his message.
Isaac glanced up from his computer, one dark eyebrow raised quizzically. “Something amusing?”
“I was just catching up on the latest squirrel drama in the company-wide emails,” I said. “As you’d expect, it’s a hot mess.”
“Hmm,” Isaac said distractedly, focusing on the far wall. I studied him for a moment, noting the slight furrow in his brow and distracted air that had clung to him all morning. Isaac was normally laser-focused, but today he seemed off.
“Are you all set for the strategy session this afternoon?” I asked, pulling up the agenda. “I compiled the latest sales projections and that market analysis you wanted.”
Isaac refocused on his screen. “Yes, it’s fine, I reviewed everything already.”
“Mm-hmm.” I studied my boss and longtime friend, trying to read him.
Already he’d looked away from the screen and was staring down at the day’s wristwatch—it was wooden, and I’d given it to him for his birthday this year after obsessively researching unusual wristwatches online.
“Isaac,” I delicately started. “Is something bothering you?”
“No,” Isaac said, his response as clinical as usual. A moment passed, and he suddenly pushed back from his desk and fixed his intense gaze entirely on me. “Why? Is something bothering you?”
“No—I’m great,” I said. “I was just wondering; you seem… distracted today.”
“Oh.” Isaac swiveled his chair and focused on his computer screen, completely disinterested in talking about himself.
Yeah, something was definitely going on.
Isaac’s cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen before accepting the call. “This is Isaac.”
I tapped the nail of my right pointer finger on my mouse as I half listened to Isaac. Based on that reaction, I was pretty sure whatever was bothering him had to be family related. Isaac was always open with me regarding work matters—sometimes too open in that he would read me into upper management situations someone in my position wouldn’t normally be told about.
And besides work, the only thing Isaac truly cared about was his family.
“Yes, the money is in my account and is ready to be wired,” Isaac said. “I’ll be leaving work early to get to the bank to make the transaction.”
I perked up at his words. Yes, it was nosy of me, but this was most likely what had Isaac acting odd.
A wire transaction that Isaac had to do in person? That probably didn’t involve Warner Print—that sounded personal.
If that was the case, this most likely had something to do with one of the Warners’ other business ventures. (As the mathematical genius of the family, Isaac handled most of the influential family’s investments too.)
Well that solved that mystery… sort of. Isaac didn’t usually get distracted by family financial matters.
I chewed on my lower lip as Isaac finished his conversation and hung up the phone.
Silence reigned in the office for several long moments.
“Charlotte.” Isaac fiddled with his pen. “What’s your schedule like Friday? Do you have any plans?”
I blinked in surprise at the unexpected question. “This Friday? Well, nothing major, but I’m not doing overtime this week,” I warned him.
Isaac steepled his fingers together. “I wasn’t asking about overtime.”
I pressed on. “And I’m not attending any work events either. I told you, I’m trying to build a life outside work.”
Isaac furrowed his brow. “Am I really such a tyrant that you’d assume I’m only ever asking about work?”
“Of course not! You’re just… intensely focused. Obsessive, even.” I softened my tone. “I know you focus on work not because you want to work the team and me to death, but because Warner Print is your life.”
Something flickered across Isaac’s face. Frustration? Disappointment? It was so fast I didn’t get a chance to decipher it before he looked away, muttering under his breath. “Natalie is right. Subtlety is getting me nowhere. I need to be direct to the point of blunt when communicating.”
My head tilted in confusion. Natalie, his sister-in-law? What did she have to do with anything? I opened my mouth to ask, but the shrill ring of my desk phone interrupted.
Relieved for the distraction from the oddly tense atmosphere, I snatched up the receiver. “Isaac Warner’s office, this is Charlotte Fisher speaking.”
“Charlotte, hi!” I instantly recognized Danielle’s bubbly voice—she worked in HR. “Have you got a minute to chat?”
I glanced over at Isaac. Though he’d schooled his features back to careful neutrality, I could see the telltale signs of his jaw clenching and a slight narrowing of his eyes that betrayed his frustration. Whatever was eating at him, he’d retreated into his mind to stew over it.
Deciding to give him some space, I swiveled in my chair. “Sure Danielle, just let me put you on hold a sec so I can duck out to the team space. One moment.”
I hit the hold button and stood, smoothing my skirt. “That was Danielle, from HR. I’m going to take the call out in the team space.”
Isaac’s gaze snapped to mine as I rounded my desk. “You don’t have to leave on my account. I won’t be bothered. Unless… does my presence make you uncomfortable—since you’re speaking to HR?”
“Not at all, but I can tell you’re mentally wrestling with something.” I crossed his office, my heels clicking on the flooring. “I’ll let you ponder in peace while I take this.” I shot him a wink.
As I slipped out of Isaac’s office, I caught a glimpse of his expression—brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. He looked almost… pained? But before I could analyze it further, I’d reached the doorway.
I waved to Ravi, who was on the phone and gesticulating wildly, probably arguing with accounting again. Theo and Lola were hunched over their keyboards, fingers flying as they focused on some spreadsheets. I swear I saw smoke rising from Lola’s computer.
Settling at my workstation, I picked up the call. “Hi, Danielle, thanks for holding. What can I do for you?”
“Charlotte!” Danielle said. “I’m calling to check how you’re feeling about leaving. You know, to make sure everything is satisfactory and by the book.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Danielle’s voice was guileless. “Oh, nothing much. I just thought I’d ask. On a scale of one to ten—where ten is a pleasant resignation and one is being barricaded by sobbing coworkers—how would you rate your exit environment right now?”
I nearly choked on my own spit. “I’m sorry, what?”
But Danielle barreled on, her words tumbling out rapid-fire. “If you’re feeling any pressure from your coworkers, please reach out to HR immediately. Don’t worry. We’ve already taken care of the candlelight vigil the finance department was proposing.”
“A candlelight vigil?” I repeated, bewildered.
“Oh, you didn’t hear about it?” Danielle chirped. “In that case, nothing!”
As Danielle prattled on about Warner Print’s commitment to my enjoyment of my final weeks, I noticed movement in my peripheral vision. Isaac had emerged from his office and was leaning against the doorframe, watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.
Why was he looking at me like that? There was something about the stare that made me feel self-conscious.
I cleared my throat, trying to focus on Danielle’s voice rather than Isaac’s piercing gaze. “Everything’s fine, Danielle. Really. But since I have you on the line, how’s the selection process going for my replacements? I want to make sure I have enough time to train them before I leave.”
“Oh! Someone was going to call the top two candidates you and Isaac picked earlier this week. They’ll make an offer this afternoon. I’ll let you know ASAP if they accept or if we’ll have to contact your second choices.”
“Great. Thanks, Danielle.”
“Anytime!”
I hung up, a smile budding on my lips. HR’s general worry that no one cross any boundaries was amusing to say the least, although I was touched that they were concerned enough about me to check in.
Lost in thought, I didn’t hear Isaac approach until his deep voice rumbled right next to my ear. “Charlotte.”
I automatically hopped to my feet. Suddenly we were toe to toe, close enough that I could smell his cedar and bourbon cologne.
My breath caught in my throat, but with my desk chair hitting the backs of my legs, I had to hold my ground. “Yes?” I managed, hyperaware of every inch between us. Or rather, the lack thereof.
Isaac’s gray eyes bored into mine, making my knees feel wobbly.
“What can I do for you?” I asked when he remained silent.
Instead of answering, Isaac’s gaze swept the room. I followed his line of sight. Theo and Lola were typing with renewed fervor, and based on the way they were leaning even closer to their computer screens, I’d have to check with our insurance policy to see if they covered blue light reflecting glasses. Ravi was still on the phone, but his eyes kept darting our way.
“HR was just checking in,” I explained, desperate to fill the loaded silence. “They said offers will go out to the replacement candidates this afternoon.”
Isaac nodded, his expression unreadable. “Good.”
We stood there, the air thick with… something. Tension? Expectation? Whatever it was, it was making it hard to breathe.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Was there something else you needed?”
Isaac rubbed his jaw. “About Friday,” he said, his voice low but carrying easily in the suddenly quiet office.
Friday? Oh right, he’d asked about my plans earlier.
“Since you’re available,” Isaac continued, “would you be open to dinner? With me?” Before I could respond, he added hastily, “Not for work. Just… dinner. I promise not to mention Warner Print even once.”
I blinked, momentarily stunned. This was… unexpected. And oddly sweet? Sure, Isaac and I were friends, but we rarely got together in a way that didn’t involve work.
Maybe this was his way of reaching out and making sure we stayed friends when I left?
“I’d like that,” I said.
The tension in Isaac’s shoulders visibly eased. “Good,” he said, a rare, genuine smile lighting up his face. It transformed him from intimidating boss to, well, someone I’d definitely want to have dinner with.
“I’ll get back to work.” Isaac crossed the office in a few easy strides, then paused in the doorway to his office. “You’ll join me soon?”
I nodded. “I’ll just post on the team’s message app channel about the offer to the candidates.”
“Good.” Isaac disappeared into his office, pulling the door shut behind him.
The moment the door clicked shut, the office exploded into action.
Lola leaped from her chair like a jack-in-the-box, her blond waves bouncing wildly as she squealed. “Did the Overlord just ask you out?”
“What? No, that’s not—” I started, but Theo cut me off.
“He totally did!” Theo hopped up, looking like an excited puppy. “I heard it with my own two ears!”
Ravi, still on the phone, held up a finger. “Sorry, I’ll have to call you back,” he said hurriedly before hanging up. He slapped his knees and beamed at me. “I believed it! I followed my millennial daughter’s advice on manifesting. Truthfully, I did it just to connect with her, but it worked! It manifested so well! It’s official: Love is in the air!”
My cheeks burned with a blush. “Guys, you’re misunderstanding?—”
Theo pumped both of his arms like he was in a dance club. “Say what you will, Charlotte, but you and the Overlord are couple goals.” He gestured dramatically between himself and Lola. “Lola and I look up to you, you know? You and Isaac know each other inside and out, and you always move as a team, defending each other.”
Lola nodded vigorously. “Like Theo said, relationship goals!”
“With less business talk,” Theo added quickly.
I tried again. “It’s not a date?—”
Ravi pulled his phone out of a pocket sewn into his sweater vest. “I have to message Arisa on the company app!”
“Forget the app,” Lola said, practically vibrating with excitement. “We should go to the cafeteria and make a big announcement!”
“Yes!” Theo agreed, high-fiving her.
Just then, Isaac’s office door opened. Lola and Theo dropped into their chairs so fast I thought they might break something, suddenly typing furiously.
“Charlotte?” Isaac called. “Are you coming?”
I nodded, still reeling. “Yes. Of course.”
As I crossed the office, my mind raced. The team had to be wrong. Isaac didn’t see me that way. We’d been boss and employee for years and that wasn’t going to change now.
I lingered at the door of Isaac’s office and glanced back.
Ravi winked at me and formed a heart shape with his hands.
I shook my head, reminding myself I’d resisted Isaac’s charms this long. I could survive a few more weeks.
Right?