Chapter Twelve
Hannah
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I hadn't worked in a new office for a while, so I forgot that there was more to it than simply doing a good job. One had to navigate office politics as well, but I was starting to learn who was friends with whom, who wanted to get whom fired, and so on. It was slightly fascinating but also made me want to run straight back to my inn. Everything was more peaceful there. But having a steady paycheck was doing wonders for my peace of mind. I was caught between a rock and a hard place.
When three of my colleagues asked me to go with them to lunch at the start of my second week, I immediately agreed, happy to make some friends. They were sitting at the back of the room, so I hadn't interacted with them much. Elena, Alina, and Danielle were friendly enough. When we all sat down to eat at a local burger restaurant, I found out Danielle wasn't actually a broker; she was the assistant to a few members of management.
"We thought we'd get to know the new hire," Alina said. "Your test score made waves."
"I figured only HR and the bosses would know that," I said before taking a bite of my burger.
"Usually that’s true, but I think this was a special case. Anyway, we're happy to have you on board."
"How long have you been with the company?" I asked.
"Ten years," Danielle said.
"Wow, that's a long time."
She shuddered. "Yeah, and don't try to guess my age.”
"I've been here for five years," Elena said.
"And I've been here for six," Alina added.
I smiled. "That's good news. Means you're happy with the workplace, right?"
They all nodded.
"Yeah. I worked at three investment companies before I came here, and this is by far the best one," Alina said.
Elena nodded. "They're far more relaxed than everyone else in the industry. I don't know if it's because the brothers set it up or something, but they're not so big on hierarchy."
"My boss hates that," Danielle said.
"Who's your boss?" I asked.
"Cyrus," she said. "He keeps complaining that this isn't a real financial services company. I mean, the guy's old as dirt. He's worked in the industry for a long time, but he’s such a dinosaur. I think he can’t get over the fact that his own company went belly up.”
I raised a brow. “What do you mean?”
“He ran his own financial services company until nine years ago. It kept underperforming, and most of his clients came to Sterling Investments. Chase convinced Cyrus to join the company. I swear to God, he’s been complaining ever since.”
I didn't know this guy at all, but I was already pissed at him. The Sterling brothers had worked themselves to the bone. They didn't deserve to have anyone bad-mouth them— especially when it sounded like they saved his ass.
"Anyway, Hannah, tell us more about you. How did you even apply to this place?" Danielle asked.
The tips of my ears went red. As a rule, I hated lying. Even if things were atrocious, I preferred to know the truth rather than a well-meaning lie. But I couldn’t possibly tell them I knew the Sterling brothers from outside of work.
"I was looking for something new, and Sterling Investments is intriguing.”
“We definitely love it,” Alina said.
We spoke a bit more about the office, right until it was time to get back.
***
Having friends at the office paid off. If I was honest, it had been a while since I’d had a social life. After Gary and I separated, I was too busy keeping the inn afloat to stay in touch with any of our friends, let alone meet up with them.
Besides, interacting with other employees was beneficial, as I'd found out all sorts of secrets, such as which were the best break rooms. There were about six spread throughout the floors. Depending on where they were situated, they had different views. Some didn't have windows at all, but those weren't used anymore.
I rarely ate at my desk. I usually grabbed my lunch from the cart that catering sent up and started hunting for a seat in one of the break rooms. That's how I met a ton of my colleagues.
Today, I tried a new break room on purpose, figuring I’d meet new people. It was pretty late for lunch, though—two o’clock—so I wasn’t sure how many were still eating.
Duncan was in one corner with a boy who seemed to be around nine or ten years of age. He waved at me, and I walked straight toward them.
"Hey," I said.
"Hi, Hannah. This is Jeremy, my son."
I turned to the boy. "Nice to meet you, Jeremy."
"Nice to meet you too," he said, munching on a sandwich.
"Today’s a Take Your Kid to Work Day," Duncan said.
"That's cool. What grade are you in?" I asked Jeremy.
He looked at me with wide eyes. "I'm in the second grade."
"Do you like school?" I went on.
He frowned. "No. I like basketball more, but Dad says I have to go to school."
Duncan patted his head. “That’s right, buddy. School is important.”
“I bet you have friends at school, though,” I said. “It's nice to spend time with them, isn't it?"
"Yeah, sometimes.”
“What do you like to do with your friends?”
“We play Mario Kart on Nintendo. We want the special edition one, but it’s sold out everywhere. Anyway, I’m glad I don't have school today."
Duncan shook his head. "I swear to God, he's more like Knox's or Finn's son than mine. I used to love school."
Jeremy's eyes widened. "Are Uncle Finn and Uncle Knox here? Can we go say hi?"
"They're not here now. Not sure if they’re coming to the office at all today. How about after you eat, I'll show you around and find someone you don't know to talk to, and you can ask them about their job?"
"I can talk to you about my job,” I cut in.
Jeremy gave me a huge smile. "Yes. Dad, please?"
Duncan nodded. "Sure. Thanks, Hannah.”
"But can you ask my uncles if they'll come to the office? Can you tell them I’m here?” Jeremy pleaded. He was obviously close to them.
"Sure. We'll see if they have time. I'm sure Chase is somewhere around here."
My heart skipped a beat at hearing his name, but I kept my expression schooled.
I asked Jeremy about his favorite subjects while we all ate our lunch. The pastrami sandwiches they sent today were pretty good. The conversation somehow circled back to Mario Kart , and Duncan confessed that the whole family was looking for the video game. Chase already got him one, but there were several, and they were hard to find.
I noticed a few people watching us and wondered if this was smart. Until now, no one had put two and two together that I knew at least some of the Sterling brothers from before I started working here.
Once I finished my sandwich, I took out my phone. I had several reporting apps on my phone that I could show Jeremy.
"All right, so look. This is what I do. These are tools with which I work through information and transform into graphics."
I immediately realized this must be dead boring for him. I mean, I liked numbers, but he was a kid.
I glanced helplessly at Duncan, who shrugged and laughed. He seemed to get exactly what my problem was, because he said, "I've got the same issue with him every time I try to explain what I do."
But Jeremy glanced from me to his dad and said, "It doesn't matter, Dad, I like being with you."
Duncan ruffled his hair, looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. Then he snapped his head up, staring over Jeremy’s head.
"Chase," Duncan said, and I straightened up instantly. I had no idea how near Chase was, but my body was already buzzing, anticipating his closeness. A few seconds later, I heard his footsteps, then felt the heat of his body next to me.
"Jeremy, I didn’t know you were here already.” He pulled his nephew into a hug, and I completely melted.
Oh, be still my beating heart.
"Hi, Uncle Chase," Jeremy greeted him.
“Hey! Want me to lift you up in my arms?”
Jeremy squinted. “You can’t. There are people watching.”
“All right.”
My God, they're cute.
"This is ‘visit your dad's workplace day,’ huh?" he asked.
"Yes,” Jeremy confirmed.
“I already managed to bore him,” I told Chase.
"Are Uncle Finn and Uncle Knox coming too?" Jeremy asked.
Duncan shook his head. "I already told you, buddy, I don't think they'll be here today."
Jeremy pouted, then turned to Chase. "Uncle Chase, can I come to your office after Dad gives me a tour?"
"Sure. But I'm only here until five. Then I have a meeting outside the office."
Duncan cocked a brow. "There's nothing on your calendar."
"It's a personal matter."
Duncan was frowning now.
Jeremy grabbed Duncan's hand. "Dad, come on, let's start the tour. I want hot chocolate. Do you have hot chocolate?"
"I'll find you something," Duncan said. "See you two around."
The second he left, I realized the break room was empty. I was alone with Chase, and my heart rate accelerated.
"He's so cute, but I totally did not sell him on a broker's job," I said. "I started talking about numbers and reports, and the poor guy didn’t know what hit him."
"He likes you."
"How do you know?"
"Because he usually doesn’t talk that much in front of strangers.”
That was probably typical of most young kids. “Well, I like him too. But if he ever comes around here again, I'd love a heads-up, and then I can think about a way to make all of this seem cool to him."
Chase looked at me with an incredulous expression, then smiled. "Why not? I mean, we haven't managed to impress him yet, but you might be able to pull it off.”
“Do you see Jeremy often?"
"Yes. My brothers and I take turns spending time with him. We take him to activities, and I drive him to school in the morning once or twice a week. But Mom and Dad spend the most time with him. They've actually gotten much closer since he was born. They used to minimize their interactions together before, but now they might each watch him half a day and sometimes even take care of him together. It’s been kind of interesting."
Chase mentioning his parents made me think about his real estate deal. "Do you have news on the store?"
"Yes. That's actually what my meeting after work is about."
"Why didn't you tell Duncan?"
"It's still a secret."
"Right." I felt honored to know something that others didn't.
"I'm meeting him for dinner."
"Hey, that's good, an informal setting. How did you get him to agree to it?"
He curled up one corner of his mouth. "I've got skills."
"Of course you do."
"I'm going to pitch him about why I'm the best man for this."
I bit my lip. "Chase?"
"Yeah."
"How about telling him about your parents and your history?"
He glanced down at his shirt, tugging at a cuff link. The movement jogged my memory. He’d done that at the wedding right after the music stopped. A bolt of heat coursed through me, and I could practically feel his hands on my waist.
Lord, I'm hopeless.
"Would you like to join us for dinner?" he asked unexpectedly. "You have a talent for smoothing things out and putting everything in perspective. I could use that help in the negotiation.”
"You need my sunshine to close the deal, don't you?" I teased, and Chase grunted.
"I’m not going to agree unless you say—"
I burst out laughing, throwing my head back. "Fine, I'll take it. What time does it start?"
"At six."
"Hmm, that’s a bit early, but I can finish up. Where is it?"
"We can go together in my car. It’s in the Gaslamp Quarter."
"I live in that area," I said.
"Meet me in the garage at five thirty?" he asked, watching me intently.
I drew in a deep breath. What was I doing agreeing to spend time alone with him?
You're not going to be alone, Hannah. You're meeting with the owner of the store. You'll only be alone in the car. Don't be ridiculous .
"I’ll be there."
***
At five thirty, all the elevators were occupied. I waited for five minutes before texting Chase.
Hannah: I might be late. I'm not sure if it's rush hour or something, but no elevator is stopping at this floor.
He answered right away.
Chase: Come to the management elevator.
I hesitated. More time alone with him in a confined space?
I was looking for trouble.
But the chances of us being the only ones who would use the management elevator were slim.
I went up one flight of stairs to Chase's floor, then down the corridor toward the elevator. I heard chatter from all the offices and realized Magda was right—they were workaholics. Then again, most of the brokers also stayed until at least six o'clock.
I felt Chase's presence the second I entered the narrow corridor. Somehow I knew he was alone. I sucked in a deep breath when he came into view.
He was wearing the same clothes from earlier today, but somehow, here in the dimly lit corridor, he seemed even sexier. His hair was wilder, probably mussed from running his hand through it. He undid the top button of his shirt before realizing I was nearby.
Do not fixate on that button, Hannah .
I moved closer to him. "Hey," I said.
Why do I sound shy?
"Hey."
The elevator opened immediately. Of course, it was empty. We both stepped inside, and he pressed the button to the garage. Seconds later, I was lost in the scent of his cologne again. It had put a spell on me, and every time I smelled it, I was transported right back to our kiss on the beach. It smelled like the sea, but it was also citrusy.
"Thank you for coming with me tonight," he said.
He'd been surprisingly well behaved today—this entire week, in fact—which was good, but I couldn't help the pang of disappointment in my stomach.
"Of course! What do you know about him?"
"Just what my assistant could find online. He's in his seventies and wants to retire."
"And your parents sold the store to him?”
“No. He bought it from the person my parents sold it to years ago.”
"Does he have any family?"
"She couldn't find anything on him."
I was trying to foresee how the conversation would go, what his soft points might be.
The elevator pinged when we arrived in the garage, and Chase pointed to the doors, "After you."
I took a step toward the doors and then felt him inhale sharply. And I mean felt , because his nose was level with my head. I risked a glance. He was looking down. Instantly, I realized that from his angle, he could probably look straight into my cleavage.
I hurried outside and smiled to myself. So he's not immune to me after all.
Damn it, why did that make me happy?
I was all over the place. I didn't even know what I wanted. He led me to his car, a dark blue Lexus. I glanced around once we were inside.
"Are you looking for something?" he asked.
"No, I'm just realizing that others can see me getting into your car."
He frowned. "You didn't seem too bothered to spend time with my brother and my nephew today."
He was right. Why was I always so cagey when I was around Chase? The answer came to me seconds later: because I reacted to him differently and assumed others could see that too.
"You're right. I should relax," I said, but I didn't answer his implied question. What could I say? "I feel on edge around you all the time, and I think others can tell?"
"Anyway, we can come up with solid reasons for why we're spending time together."
"Really? You work with brokers?" I asked.
"Rarely," he admitted. "But it’s not unheard of."
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Some Mexican restaurant. It was his choice."
"Good for you for letting him choose."
"I know how to negotiate, Hannah." He winked, and a bolt of heat went straight to my lady parts.
"Yes, but you also like things a certain way. Your way."
"I do. But I know how to play my cards... and bide my time."
Out of the corner of my eye, I realized he was glancing at me again. I felt on fire.
Wait, was he talking about the store now or about me?
I didn't have it in me to ask.
But I knew what I wanted it to be.