Chapter 3
“Okay, so just to confirm, you can order fifty-five thirty-pound bags of rice to the hotel?” I rub my temples as I talk on the phone with the head chef at the hotel in New Zealand.
“Yes. I’ll add it to the food order this week. It will come on a big pallet.” Arthur’s New Zealand accent makes me even more disappointed that I won’t get to experience the culture and adventure of that country.
I had my trip all planned out. I was staying three extra days after the event ended so I could go canyoning, caving, zip-lining, and rafting. It was going to be a wild ride—just how I like it. But thanks to Nate, those tours were ripped out from under me.
“Where will the pallet of rice be?” I force myself to focus on the task at hand. “Down in the kitchen, or will Charlotte have it with the rest of the event supplies in the hospitality room? Sorry, I’m asking so many questions. I won’t be there, and the guy in charge has the IQ of a five-year-old, so I need to give him very specific instructions, or he’ll mess it up.”
“We can take the pallet of rice to Charlotte.”
“Perfect.” I make a note on the paper in front of me. “That sounds easiest.”
“What do you need all these rice bags for anyway?”
My shoulders fall. “Rucking.”
“Rucking?”
“It’s a long story.” I attempt to wind down the call. “Thank you, Arthur. You totally saved me.”
“No problem, miss.”
“Okay, goodbye.”
I hang up and silently stare off into space.
Today, I hate my job.
No, I take that back.
Today, I hate Nate. The sentiment even rhymes, making it easier to roll off the tongue.
My gaze flips to his office. His door is shut, but I can see his feet kicked up on his desk through the side panel window. Naturally, he’s relaxing while the rest of us work.
I’ve avoided him the last two days since he told me I was off the New Zealand trip. Tasks are getting done, but I prefer to communicate only through email. Face-to-face combat is out of the question.
I wiggle my mouse, open my work email, and begin typing.
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Rucking
Nate,
Charlotte (your contact at the hotel) will have all your rucking supplies. There are fifty-five backpacks ( with Sassy Scrapbooking’s logo on them) and fifty-five thirty-pound bags of rice that you can put inside the backpacks for the weight. I’ve attached a map and directions to a local trail you can hike along.
Regards,
Carly Catterson
Event Coordinator
Voyager Travel Events
send
I cross rucking off my list with a satisfied sigh and look at what’s still left to do.
“Hey, Carly.” Rodney stands next to my desk with a stack of folders in his arms. He’s another sales executive and much more tolerable than Nate.
“Hi, Rodney.” Despite my awful day, I push a smile onto my lips. “What’s all that?” My eyes drop to the massive pile he’s holding.
“This is everything I have on the Cabo trip for Atomic Energy Drinks.” He drops the folders into my lap, a surprisingly heavy load. “Lyle said you were the point woman on this event now since Dave’s getting surgery and can no longer go.”
I can’t help my frown. “So I’ve heard.”
“Great.” Rodney steps back as if there are no takebacks on the Cabo workload. “Let me know if you have any questions.”
“You bet.” My daggered glare follows him as he walks away until I catch myself. Rodney isn’t who I’m mad at. It isn’t his fault I’m on Cabo now.
My computer dings with a new email.
Speak of the devil.
I move the folders off my lap and onto my desk before reading Nate’s reply.
FROM: [email protected]
RE: Rucking
Carly,
Backpacks with rice? Really? I expected someone with your personality to get actual rucking vests. I guess this will have to work. I’ll let the owner’s husband know this is the best you can do.
Warm regards,
Nate Farnsworth
Sales Executive
Voyager Travel Events
My head flips to his office, shooting daggers in his direction. Nate nods at me through his office window with a closed-mouth smile that infuriates me even more. I bang aggressively against my keyboard, typing out my reply.
FROM: [email protected]
RE: Rucking
Nate,
I doubt you could do any better, especially when your head is so far up the owner’s husband’s rear end. No wonder you never get any work done. I’m surprised you could even write your condescending response.
You’re the worst!
Screw you,
Carly Catterson
Travel Event Coordinator
Voyager Travel Events
I stare at the computer, my mouse hovering over the send button. I don’t care if Nate Farnsworth sees me at my worst. Unlike everyone else in my life, I’m not trying to impress him or make him like me. We’re so past that. Telling him off comes naturally, like straightening shoes in my closet. One click, and I’d feel so much better, but something else wins out. The people pleaser inside me has a strong pull. Plus, I’m not an immature child.
delete delete delete
I try again with a more civil tone.
FROM: [email protected]
RE: Rucking
Nate,
I’ve spent most of the last forty-eight hours figuring this out. On such short notice, this is the best I can do. I suggest you say thank you and keep your condescending remarks about “someone with my personality” to yourself.
Not warm regards…still just regards,
Carly Catterson
Event Coordinator
Voyager Travel Events
send
FROM: [email protected]
RE: Rucking
Carly,
I’m sorry if you misconstrued my email as condescending. I was merely surprised that someone who likes to make checklists as you do couldn’t find a step-by-step list on locating rucking vests in New Zealand, even on short notice.
My bad.
Still warm regards,
Nate Farnsworth
Sales Executive
Voyager Travel Events
Now I’m fuming. A quick glance in his direction tells me he’s enjoying my anger. I start typing my reply so fast that I probably give myself carpal tunnel. But a text on my phone distracts me. It’s my work sub chat with Shelly and Taryn, the two other event coordinators who work with me. I love them, by the way.
Shelly:
Should we meet in the break room for lunch in ten minutes?
Taryn:
Oooh, I’m down with that. I’m starving!
I pause my Nate-rant and shoot a quick message back to them.
Carly:
I’ll be there soon. I’m in the middle of a heated email debate with my nemesis.
Shelly:
You mean the office hunk who happens to have pillow-soft lips and angel eyes?
Taryn:
And a perfectly round derrière.
Shelly:
He’s the whole meal. Not just a snack.
Taryn:
His slow-mo is so powerful it takes him three hours to walk across the small office.
Shelly:
He’s Voyager Travel’s most eligible bachelor.
Taryn:
The reason I come to work every day.
I flip my phone over to block out their ridiculousness. I have hate mail to write.
FROM: [email protected]
RE: Rucking
Nate,
List-making is an art form that tells you a lot about an individual. People who make lists:
1. Are more organized
2. Are goal-oriented
3. Have excellent attention to detail
4. Retain information better
5. Have more clarity
6. Have an excellent sense of accomplishment
All traits that your work ethic could benefit from.
Cold regards,
Carly Catterson
Travel Event Coordinator
Voyager Travel Events
send
FROM: [email protected]
RE: Rucking
Carly,
Interesting list . I’ll add to what you just sent me. People who make lists:
7. Might be obsessive
8. Have OCD
9. Like to be in control
10. Hate having fun
11. Are uptight
You can keep working on this particular list while you’re in Cabo.
Downgrading to just regards,
Nate Farnsworth
Sales Executive
Voyager Travel Events