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How odd, a man being so into his kids like that.
Joe leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “So, tell me about these career goals you’ve set for yourself.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, something she was comfortable talking about, and enjoyed discussing. “Well, I started at Palmer James Company three years ago, right after I got my MBA. I was recently promoted to Director and transferred here to the Chicago office. I’m the youngest Director ever for PJC. My goal is to be promoted to Managing Director someday and manage the New York office. But in the meantime, my goal here is to break into the municipal market. Adding the municipal sector component to PJC would surely assist me in meeting my Managing Director goal.”
“It sounds like you have it all planned out.”
“Yeah, I do. I like order in my life. I like knowing where I’m headed, and how I’m going to get there.” Elizabeth cocked her head to the side. “Joe, what exactly do you do for a living? If I didn’t know any better, it looks as though you work from home.”
“Sam and I own a small architectural firm. I am fortunate that I can do most of my work from here so I can be with the kids.”
She wanted desperately to ask about the kids’ mother, but she just didn’t feel comfortable doing so. She wasn’t oblivious; she recognized and acknowledged her struggle with social interaction, which is part of the reason she kept her focus on her work. At work, she could function in a stellar manner.
His curious gaze was on her, like he expected her to ask more questions or comment on what he said. Her comfort level plummeted.
She rose from her chair. “I suppose I better get home. I have a little work to do today. Thanks for the coffee.”
“You’re welcome.”
He stood and saw her out.
As she walked home, she wondered how it was he could be so happy. He didn’t appear to have much money, and living in that old house taking care of two kids by himself with no wife or nanny to help, had to be difficult. And what about career development? How did he find the time to get any real work done?
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Joe stared out his living room window and watched Elizabeth as she walked through his yard over to hers. He looked down at Jake who stared back at him attentively with his big brown dog eyes.
“What do you think, boy? How does such a beautiful, smart, successful woman have such low self-esteem outside of the workplace? I bet she’s some sort of tiger in the office though. Maybe we should consider showing her there’s life outside of work. Hmm, what do you think, Jake?” Joe asked as he patted the dog on his head.
“Woof!!!”
Chapter Nine
It had been nearly two months now that Holly and Sam had been dating, not to mention dating exclusively. Elizabeth had never known her promiscuous friend to date only one man at a time, but she truly seemed to like him. In fact, the sight of their constant physical contact with one another nauseated Elizabeth, yet she had to admit, they did make a beautiful looking couple.
“What’s that look for?” Holly asked, taking a break from her star-struck gazing at Sam.
