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Essex to Quintessa: yeah, her.
Quintessa to Essex: and where am I supposed to be meeting you?
Essex to Quintessa: at our spot
Quintessa to Essex: we don’t have a spot.
Essex to Quintessa: The Sandbar…that’s our spot. Be there at 12:30…not a minute late
No he didnotjust hang up on me via interoffice messaging…talkin’ ‘boutourspot like we’re a couple or something. I return to focusing on taxes and ask Greta, “Hey, Greta, I have three returns that I’m not sure will be in before the fifteenth. Should I proactively file an extension on those?”
“Yes, ma’am. In fact, make sure you do it today.”
“Okay. I’m on it.”
I focus on getting the extensions filed before lunch, just so it can be off my plate before I meet Essex. I’m almost done with the third one when an email comes through from Essex. Since when does Essex DePaul send his own emails?
To: DePaul & Company ALL
From: Essex DePaul
Date: Monday, April 11, 2022 011:35:27 EST
Subject: Casual Fridays
Going forward, Fridays at DePaul & Company will be reserved for casual dress. Dress down in your favorite outfit which can include jeans and sneakers. Also, each employee can receive one free beverage in the café every Friday. Just swipe your ID badge.
Thank you for your hard work this year.
Regards,
Essex DePaul
CEO, DePaul & Company
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And I thought I was smiling big before…
This man is serious about becoming a better person and I’m here for all of it! I want to run upstairs and wrap my arms around his neck, but I’ll see him at lunch. I’ll make it a point to do it then.
It’s ten minutes after twelve. I stand up, put my phone in my purse and prepare to step away for lunch.
“You’re not eating in the café today?” Zahara asks, watching as I lock my workstation.
“No, I have to run an errand today, so I figured I’d just grab something while I was out.” I feel bad about lying to her, but there’s no way I can tell her I’m going to lunch with Essex.
“Oh. Okay.”
“But we’ll do lunch tomorrow, Zee.”
“All right, girl.”
Keys in hand, I hop an elevator to the first floor and walk quickly across the parking lot to my car, feeling anxious. What does Essex want to talk about, anyway? He didn’t give me any clues – just said he wanted to talk.
When I arrive, it’s 12:20 p.m. Essex beat me here because I see Cooper pulling off in the Maybach. As soon as I walk into the restaurant, I spot Essex sitting at a back table in the corner. I guess we’re not going to enjoy the sunshine today.
