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“Did you and Darcy have a chance to get acquainted?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Great. We’ll take a couple of hours to get you up-to-date with some of your client files, and then I’ll introduce you to everyone in the office, even though you’ve probably met most of them at some point during their visits to the New York office. It shouldn’t take you long to get to know everyone, after all, the office isn’t that large, ten of us total, counting the number analysts and the assistants.”
Elizabeth listened attentively to every word her boss spoke as he thoroughly explained the important elements pertaining to her newly inherited investment clients. She worked to memorize each and every detail, hoping to avoid foolishly asking questions later.
At about 6:00 p.m. she closed the last of the files she’d read through twice since meeting with her boss and decided to call it a day. Her head swirled with an abundance of new information, and though she was a bit overwhelmed, she was still every bit confident that she was up for the challenge of her new position. She just had to be. There was no other option.
Failure is unacceptable.
Chapter Four
Weeks passed and Elizabeth finally received the calls she waited for, the house closing was complete, and her movers had arrived.
The cool, crisp October air swirled around her as she directed the movers. The increasingly loud sound of the Antonetti children’s voices floated over the low standing hedge interrupting her concentration. The disapproving glance she shot in their direction seemed to go unnoticed.
The children were riding their bikes in circles in the driveway when suddenly the little boy’s bike bumped the back of his sister’s, and she tumbled over, training wheels and all. The girl let out a screech so sharp Elizabeth flinched.
Oh, that’s painful. Great, I wonder how often this happens.
A tall man, she presumed to be their father, emerged from the garage, and within a couple of quick steps, scooped his daughter up into his arms. The young girl wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him. After a few moments, he set her down, kissed her elbow, and she hopped back onto her bicycle. He looked over the hedge and caught her stare.
He waved. “Hello, welcome to the neighborhood,” he yelled as he smiled kindly, and walked toward her.
Elizabeth mentally rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to meet the neighbors, especially one with pesky kids. She just wanted to be left alone.
As the man narrowed the gap between them, she couldn’t seem to pull her gaze from him. It was as if it was superglued to him. She couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was with his thick, dark, wavy hair and olive colored skin. Even though he sported a loose, red plaid, flannel shirt, his muscular arms and thick chest were unmistakable. As he drew closer, she was even more taken in by his deep, dark, chocolate eyes that crinkled a bit at the corners when he smiled.
He extended his hand to her. “I’m Joe Antonetti.”
“Elizabeth Shaw.” She took his large, warm hand in hers. Her stomach fluttered.
What the heck was that?
The man turned his head toward the children who still rode their bikes in the driveway. “That’s my son, Max, and my daughter, Molly.”
