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“Wow, you sound busy,” I say.
He grins.
“Yeah, running a company takes a lot out of you. But once you’re over the hump, there’s time to relax.”
“Oh really?” I ask. “So are you relaxed now?”
He grins and slings one arm around the back of my chair.
“Very much so, honey. It’s great being here.”
I laugh gently.
“I’m glad you’re having a good time. But actually, I just got to Chicago too.”
“Oh yeah?” Carlton asks, taking a sip of his wine. I nod.
“I moved right after college, since this is where most of the jobs seem to be. Plus, I wanted to be closer to my parents again.”
“You studied architecture in school? Or something else?” I can understand Carlton’s curiosity, given that I’m working at Concord Design.
I nod slowly. “I did, along with interior design. It was a really good program, and I made a lot of great connections in the field through various internships.”
“Why did you decide to go into this field?” Carlton asks, looking genuinely curious.
I shake my head. “You have so many questions!” I laugh lightly. “But I like them.” I take a sip of my own wine before I continue.
“When we moved to Pleasanton, I started doing art classes after school. We’d study different types of drawing and painting in our modules, and one of the sessions was all about room design and structure.” I shrug. “I guess you could say there was no changing my mind after that – I was hooked.”
“So now you work at Concord, and you love it right?” At Carlton’s teasing question, I can’t help but frown. “What did I say?” he asks.
I shake my head. “It’s not you. It’s just that…” I consider how to express to Carlton how difficult and disappointing my career has been so far.
“Hey,” he lifts my chin gently so that our eyes are level again. “You can tell me anything, sweetheart. You know that.”
And looking into his vibrant blue eyes, my heart settles and warmth comes over me. He won’t judge, and for that, I’m grateful.
“It’s just that – and I really don’t mean to sound bratty – my job is not what I’d hoped it would be. I had a hard time finding a gig after college, even though I had some really good contacts in the field. I guess I sometimes feel like I became a secretary because I was so defeated. You know that that’s what I do at Concord, right? My job title isn’t junior project manager or anything like that. I’m an admin.”
I stare down at my glass of wine, surprised with myself over how honest I am with Carlton. I usually wouldn’t have voiced my doubts aloud, but something about him makes me want to confide in him.
I trust the man, I realize, startled by this admission. He won’t judge me because of my lack of a title.
Sure enough, Carlton nods. “It’s okay to start out on the first rung of the ladder,” he begins.
I shrug again, feeling even more frustrated. “That’s what I tell myself too. I mean, at least I’m working at an architecture firm. And I’m keeping my eyes open for a junior position, should any open up.” I don’t tell Carlton how much my boss dislikes me or that I have already been passed over for promotion; that’s too embarrassing. “And even worse, look at us!” I gesture. “You’re only a few years older than me, but you’re the CEO of your own firm, and I’m what? Basically a mite whose salary is a rounding error.”
The handsome man nods thoughtfully.
“You know,” he says as he swirls the wine in his glass. “I do have some influence, given that I’m your firm’s biggest client.”
I raise my eyebrows at Carlton’s devilish look. “You already got me on the team for the project,” I remind him.
“But I guess I didn’t realize that you were looking for opportunities to learn and move ahead.”
“Did you think I was a professional secretary?” I ask in a wry tone.
He thinks for a moment.
“I just didn’t know, honey. We connected after such a long time, that I wasn’t sure what track you were on, or what you want from your career.”
I nod slowly. “It’s been complicated. Melody, you know, my boss, isn’t exactly generous with the praise or the acknowledgements.”
“How so?” Carlton cocks his head to a side, and I can’t help but be grateful that he’s so curious about me. I decide it’s better to be honest about my work environment, especially since he and I will be joined at the hip for the next several months.
“Well, you know the brief that Melody presented last week?” Carlton nods. “I’m actually the one who put it together.”
He looks at me carefully. “You did all of that work?”
“I did. An intern helped with some of the organization, and Melody approved the overall structure and information. But it was my project. It took me days, and a few sleepless nights too.”
