Chapter 7
San Diego was lovely this time of year, though Connor rarely had an excuse to make the trip down to enjoy the sights–or the surf. Ironic that he only could for a work trip.
Of course, Alarie was taking care of them–in its own way. He and the rest of the lower level employees attending the Spring Forward Summit had been booked rooms at the nearby Marriott, complete with early check-ins for their convenience.
“Not so much a convenience for us,” Junie grumbled that morning as she met up with Connor for a quick coffee.
They didn’t have time for much more than that before they’d need to check in for the Summit.
Of course, Nate had been blowing up his phone since about 6 AM that morning, his name on a banner flashing across the top of his screen every few moments during that drive from Irvine to San Diego.
Hey Connor, hope you made it safely down.
Think we can go over our talking points before the panel this afternoon?
I couldn’t sleep last night so I just went over your notes.
On and on it went, his phone buzzing every few moments. He knew he could turn it on silent, but what if Nate actually needed something and he missed it?
There had been about an hour of reprieve where Connor thought maybe Nate had gotten it all out of his system, but they resumed soon enough.
This thing is gonna be long, probably twenty minutes before the Q&A. Is that normal? Read another incoming text from Nate.
Connor just sighed and set his phone face down on the table, ignoring the look Junie gave him as he sipped his coffee.
“Can’t he leave you alone? You just got here.”
“He’s nervous,” Connor said. Not because he was defending Nate, but more because he wanted that to be the end of it.
But Junie was too high-strung that morning to let it go.
She hadn’t slept much the night before, up until the wee hours finalizing the last details of the presentation Elle would be showcasing that morning.
Connor had offered to drive them both down that morning, but she refused, and then blamed traffic for her sour mood.
That kind of irritability had always been one of Junie’s signs when she was using. Hell, it was one of his, too. Out of concern, Connor found himself asking as gently as he could. Not accusing, not even pointing a finger.
“Nothing but a Five Hour Energy,” was what Junie said, so Connor decided to believe her.
Maybe those days were finally behind them both.
All the same, her patience for their bosses had long since worn thin. She questioned if they really needed to stand by leadership during this Summit at least twice while they stood in line for bad instant coffee from the Marriott's breakfast buffet.
“Some days, I think we should all jetset to Cabo,” Junie muttered as she sipped her coffee, her hands trembling. It likely wasn’t her first cup. “You know, make them miss us. Show them how badly they need us around to function.”
Though he didn’t comment, Connor couldn’t help but think Nate was entirely aware of how desperately he needed him.
Being needed was exhausting. He’d always thought so. His first executive demanded Connor be available at all hours, and then Devore never had much understanding of working hours versus personal hours. The two had often blended together in a gross dissolution of professional boundaries.
But when it came to Nate, Connor only found himself thinking, What else can be done about it? At least he’s putting in the effort to learn.
“Maybe,” Connor said simply.
They took a few moments more to finish their coffee before heading to the conference site, a resort built into the waterfront of La Jolla.
Les Grande Valencia was certainly deserving of her title, a gleaming jewel of luxury Spanish architecture, burnt umber against rolling green hills and the glittering cerulean sea.
The facilities of the resort much resembled an octopus, with long outdoor corridors over red brick and clay, shaded by handsome arches and carefully pruned trees of all varieties–eucalyptus, palm, and ficus stretching high into the bright sky above.
The grounds were carefully manicured, and an elegant directory pointed out that should they continue straight, they’d find themselves in the gardens and pool, while heading to the right would take them to the ballroom and ‘luxury suites’.
No doubt this was where the C-Suite of Alarie Inc. would be staying throughout the duration of this convention.
Junie’s heels clicked against the brick path as they continued towards the ballroom, a confident sound that carried plenty of authority, though she worried at the sleeves of her ink-colored pantsuit as they walked.
“You look nice,” Connor told her with a smile. “Very Ally McBeal.”
“Don’t make fun of me,” Junie protested, though her grimace seemed to soften.
The pantsuit she wore showed signs of skillful tailoring, complimenting her strong but slight figure. Connor thought she looked rather stylish, though the entire ensemble was far stiffer than she tended to dress.
For as long as he had known Junie, she liked her pencil skirts and sensible flats paired with brightly colored blouses hidden under somber blazers.
“Basics you can mix and match. That makes it so much easier when you thrift luxury,” was what she'd explained to him once, back when he'd been utterly hopeless with his own smart professional wardrobe.
But her daily wear simply wouldn't fly here.
There had always been an unspoken competition among the assistants of C-Suite executives at these conferences.
For those in their cohort, often without any power of their own, turning these events into their own Best and Worst Dressed competitions was a way to claw some of that social mobility back.
At least symbolically.
Connor had opted for his nicest suit for the occasion, adding a little more color than he normally did with his yellow tie peeking out beneath a cerulean jacket. He’d even taken a little more care with his hair that morning, using a pomade to smooth it back until he felt satisfied with the result.
They entered through French glass double doors into a dazzling lobby, complete with stone tiles, an indoor fountain, and tangling webs of ivy and pothos creeping against the stone and marble interior.
Once Connor and Junie showed off their badges, they were directed to the first floor ballroom, which was hosting an early morning breakfast meet-and-greet that primarily consisted of pastries and coffee.
Junie turned her nose up almost immediately at the pastries, opting for a second cup of coffee instead. Connor had enough sense to take a second croissant for her.
“Come on,” he'd insisted, pushing it into her hands. “We both know you'll feel better if you eat.”
And so they'd found a round table to pick at their breakfasts, Connor checking his phone, scrolling through his notifications.
Just Nate. Only Nate, and a couple email alerts.
He put his phone back down, looking up just in time to see Liam Reyes approaching their table, flanked by another young man, both dressed in plain, but respectable gray suits.
“These seats taken?” Liam asked. Connor shook his head, the corners of his lips twitching.
“Go right ahead,” Connor said as he pulled out one of the chairs. Liam directed his friend to sit before grabbing another for himself.
“Thanks,” Liam smiled a bit sheepishly, almost setting his bag down on the table before he caught himself and slung it over the back of his chair. “It’s hard, not knowing anyone here. I mean. Besides you and Ryan.”
“You get used to it,” Junie piped up, having watched this exchange with a coy little smile. She gave Connor a pointed look, and he rolled his eyes.
“This is Maria Ronaldo’s assistant,” Connor told her. “Say hi, Liam.”
“Hi,” Liam said automatically, his hand shooting out to shake Junie’s as though on command. “Liam Reyes. Executive assistant, Pubic Relations.”
Connor hid his smile behind his hand. It was easy to like Liam. So earnest and hungry for a taste of success, that had been him when he first started out. He was probably going to have a great career.
“Maria Ronaldo, she's still kicking?” Junie smirked, though she didn't reject Liam's handshake. Connor gave her a look of his own before offering Liam a smile.
“This is Junie. Don’t mind her attitude, she's had a rough night. She works with Elle Thornton.”
“Don't say that woman's name around me,” Junie grimaced, dropping Liam’s hand as she reached for her coffee.
“Thornton? Oh–I’ve heard a lot about you. Both of you. I’m–I can’t believe I’m meeting you,” Liam said, almost in awe. Then he remembered his manners enough to introduce his friend. “This is Ryan–uh–”
“Ryan Park, nice to meet you both.” Ryan hesitated only a moment before shaking both their hands. “I’m not an assistant. I do numbers. Accounting. I'm in finance, under Tan Atkins. We don’t meet a lot of directors in my department.”
“Atkins? Christ. Don't say that man's name around me,” Junie groaned, taking a too-large swig of coffee that she then proceeded to nearly choke on. Connor passed her a napkin, managing a polite smile at Liam and Ryan.
“Like I said. Rough night. Thornton’s one of the first panelists this morning.”
But Liam only elbowed Ryan, trying to help him follow along.
“Thornton. She’s a big deal. Elle Thornton. And what they say about Juniper Morris is–”
“Juniper Morris?” Ryan repeated with a frown. “What kind of name is Juniper Morris?”
“It’s the kind you get when your parents wish Woodstock ‘99 lived up to the hype,” Junie teased before her smile faded. “But no one calls me that. So, don’t. Not even as a joke.”
“Okay. Just Junie, got it,” Ryan said to her, before frowning at Liam. “Look, I just don't know the executive suite the way you do. I know Excel.”
“They're one of those power couples. Batman and Robin. Superman and Lois Lane,” Liam tried to explain, but Junie rolled her eyes.
“Try Superman and Lex Luthor,” she interjected. “That woman is running me raw.”
“Which one would that make you?” Connor teased. “Superman, or Lex Luthor?”
“Depends on the day.”
“And today?”