Chapter 8
Gavin
She’s icedme out since my first day. She’s avoided me at all costs, until we were both called into the boss’s office and told that we have to work together on a project, which I’m all for.
As much as I wanted to wonder why she was avoiding me, I know it was because she was likely just as shocked as I was that we were working for the same company. I had a lot on my plate.
I’ve been getting to know the people I am working with. All of which are remarkably smart and have their quirks. I’ve met with about a third of the staff so far and still have a few more to go this afternoon.
Adapting to my new role hasn’t been as difficult as I expected. The slate is completely empty. The previous manager of the department departed the company in a disgruntled state, taking everything along. There was not a single stack of paper left anywhere. I dedicated myself to learning and embracing the policies and procedures. I extensively reviewed the profiles of all the employees on my new staff and delved deep into the inner workings of the company using the tools provided to me.
I have a meeting with Emily later tonight, and I’m not sure whether I’m excited or terrified.
I’m nervous.
The last moments I spent with Emily, were in an embrace. An embrace that had a longing in it. An embrace that was thankful for the week we spent wrapped up in one another. An embrace that left many things unspoken. Now, we sit at the same table, and couldn’t feel miles apart.
She wasn’t exactly cold toward me, more methodical in her explaining the company we will work with. She’s direct, and the soft-spoken and laughing eyes I enjoyed in Tulum is replaced with the exact opposite.
I get it. We’re at work. This is her territory and I’m new to the place. We can act all day like we don’t know what the other looks like when they come, but it’s a lie. And if I’m being honest, we need to get to the elephant in the room.
I stand up and close the door to the room that we’re in. The walls are thick and so is the glass surrounding it. Now is better than never.
“We need to talk,” I tell her sternly.
She takes a deep breath and sits back in the chair.
“Okay.”
“It was bullshit that you accused me of basically stalking you. I had no clue that you worked here, I swear by it. But treating me like I’m a criminal, is some bullshit.”
“I agree, and I’m sorry.” She whispers, looking down at her hands in her lap. “I was taken aback by your presence.”
“Honestly, I was too. But we have to coexist. We didn’t leave one another at the airport on shitty terms. I have fond memories of the time we spent together. So why don’t we just work together like any two normal colleagues would do?”
“We can’t have our personal business become public. There are no general rules of romance in the workplace here, but I have a reputation to uphold, and with you being new to the staff, I think it would be best if we keep what happened between us. And let that be all.”
“I agree. We decided that everything that happened between the two of us was finished as soon as we got back to the city. And so, now we just need to embark on a working relationship. We stop avoiding one another and we get down to business.” I say firmly.
“Okay then. Now that is out of the way, we get down to business.”
“Good. Now quit picturing me naked and tell me about this company that we need to build up.” I joke.
She rolls her eyes, and we get down to business. Gone is the tension in her shoulders and gone is the avoidance. She gave me a detailed rundown of the company we will work with on the project. We set timelines for our own teams, and messages have been sent to our assistants with scheduling basics. I have a good handle on what needs to be done with my team and what we need to do together. By the time we call it quits, I’m starving. I almost mention something to Emily, but crush it immediately, not wanting her to think I didn’t hear what she said, and that I was already shoving my agreement to the side.
We say good night to one another and then we go our separate ways. Her assistant, Dan, is still sitting at his post and stops me before I walk past.
“She may seem mean, but she’s not. She’s one of the best people here. Difficult at times, but she means well. She just works a lot and hard. So, sometimes, she may be a little bitchy, just know. It’s not about you.” He tells me.
“Oh, she and I are okay. And I’m sure we’ll be fine in the future.” I assure him.
“Oh. I thought you guys were getting into it in there at the beginning. She looked all kinds of angry.”
“Nah, we just needed a proper introduction. But thanks, man, for the heads up.” I lie.
“Well, I’m glad. Happy to have you aboard, sir. I look forward to working with you.” He says with a creepy vibe.
“Yeah, me too,” I say and walk to my office to gather my belongings. I make my way to the elevator, and just as it’s about to close, a hand reaches in between to stop the door.
Emily walks in, smiles at me, and stands straight beside me.
“Thanks for explaining everything tonight,” I tell her, making small talk.
“Don’t thank me yet. Just get ready for a lot of work. The guy who will probably be our point of contact is a beast. He’s not the easiest to work with and he isn’t shy about letting that be known.”
“Funny. I’ve heard the same about you.”
She turns to me with a look of shock. “You heard what?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.”
“Any plans tonight?” she asks awkwardly.
“My, my, my, Emily, are you trying to get personal?” I tease her.
“Oh, shut up. I’m making small talk. Sue me.”
“I’m just gonna go grab a bite to eat, then head home. After all, we gotta come back here in the morning, anyway, right?”
“There’s a really good taco place around the corner from here,” she tells me.
“Oh yeah? I’m never a man to turn down a taco joint.”
The elevator doors open, and we step out into the lobby.
“Leave the cars. We can walk.”
We?