Present Day
My jaw tenses as soon as I realize how long I’ve been staring at him for.
“Knock, knock.” Heather pops her head around the corner and grins widely at me. I sit up straight and shuffle around some papers on my desk. She didn’t see me staring, did she?
I smile politely, waving her in. “Hi. Come in.”
She nods and slips inside, closing the glass door behind her.
“I wanted to come by to see how you’ve been enjoying your first week here. How’ve you been?” She grins, sitting down in the chair in front of me.
I think about that. I haven’t really done anything other than going through paperwork and having my meetings with Chase to plan the Gala.
“I’ve been doing well. Just getting myself accustomed to being here.” I fold my arms on the desk.
Heather's eyes drift over my face. I can tell she’s looking for something within my demeanor. For what? I’m not sure.
“That’s actually what I came here to talk to you about. WingMate, as you know, is all about building friendships and finding love. I want everyone on my team to know that.”
I shift a little in my seat.
Friendship? Love? That’s not really my forte. Now, business. Business I can do.
“Absolutely. That was understood as soon as I walked through those doors.” An awkward cough slips out of my throat.
She tucks a blond strand of hair behind her ear before looking off through the walls of the office.
“Really? Because…you’ve been here a week and I haven’t really seen you getting to know anyone here.” Her tone shifting to serious, all of a sudden. “WingMate was founded on connection and I just want to make sure that the vision stays intact. As you know…it starts with management.”
I adjust my tie and sit back in my chair. “I see what you’re saying.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, of course. You don’t have to worry about the employees trusting me.” I smile. She blinks slowly, eyes still searching. “I mean…team members.” I correct myself.
Giving me a soft smile, she glances away, looking off to the people walking by throughout the floor and busy doing their work.
“This company means a lot to me and I want to know it’s being overseen in the right hands. Someone who cares. Because if you don’t, maybe WingMate isn’t the right—“
“I definitely care.” I interject, giving a sharp nod to reassure her.
“Oh?” She questions.
I glance over her shoulder and spot Chase talking to another employee at his desk. Does this guy ever actually work? This time it’s a gentleman I think I saw at the board meeting. The financial manager.
Dammit, what was his name? Larry? Tom? I think it’s Todd, but I can’t be certain.
“In fact, I’ll be joining the team tonight after work. Team bonding, right?” I grin.
Heather's eyes brighten. “Right. That’s so great to hear.”
“Yeah, it never hurts to boost morale and get to know your work family,” I add, standing up.
She winks, rising too. “You are so right.”
“Thanks for checking in. I’ll be sure to take your feedback and really apply it to the coming days,” I say, gently placing my hand on her upper back and guiding her to the door.
“I’m looking forward to hearing more about you settling in.” She smiles up at me. She stops abruptly as soon as we get to the doorway. Pausing, she gives my arm a warm clasp. “We’re really a family here, Jeremiah. You’ll come to see that.”
A family? I don’t know about that…
“I don’t doubt it.” I lie. I open up the door and escort her out. She waves at me before heading over to greet Todd and Chase.
His eyes light up as soon as he sees Heather making her way over.
I watch as they embrace. She clearly has a soft spot for him, I think, as I watch them immediately start chatting and laughing.
The beautiful young lady beside his desk rolls over on her chair and they all start conversing back and forth.
Onlookers watch them and smile, clearly wishing they were a part of the conversation too.
My stomach twists. Chase Rutherford hasn’t changed. Surrounded by the top of the pyramid with everyone below him wishing they were him or had him.
I turn my attention back to the papers on my desk, pretending the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach doesn't exist.