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“Really? That’s generous.” Sensing my chance to turn the tables, I tap a fist on the desk. “And pertinent. I’ve been wondering how the selection process works for something like that.”
Blair narrows her eyes, but if she suspects I’m up to something, she doesn’t show it. “No process. Just a perk of the job.”
“For anyone who wants to take the exams?”
“Well, not just anyone. But for those who show promise and ambition? You bet.” She leans in close and lowers her voice, as if we’re sharing a secret. “Something tells me you won’t have any trouble getting it authorized.”
“But who determines which employees show promise?” I press. “What if someone on the support team is interested in furthering her career, but doesn’t have a chance to show her skills in action, and therefore can’t be evaluated for these kinds of perks?”
Before Blair can reply, Hannah appears on my other side.
“Hey, Eric, Blair.” Hannah nods at the other woman before her focus returns to me. “I hope I’m not interrupting, Eric, but we could use you in the executive lounge.”
“We’re done here. No worries,” Blair says, backing away with a smile most people wouldn’t consider menacing. But I’m getting to know Blair, and to know her is to be wary of everything about her.
Especially her smiles.
Hannah sighs in relief. “Oh, good. Jack is tied up with another client, and his nine a.m. is early. Walker Dunn plays pro hockey for the Buffalo Tempest. Jack said you know enough about the game to keep him entertained until he can take over?”
“Absolutely.” I rise from my desk chair, fighting the urge to bound down the hall like a kid on the way to get her puck signed. “I’m a huge Tempest fan. Not to mention a Walker Dunn fan. His face-off stats are incredible.”
Hannah smiles. “Perfect. Sounds like he’ll be in great hands.”
But will he, I wonder? I have no doubts about my ability to make small talk with a player I admire, but are my hands really great for this company? Jack and Ryan said they want to get to the bottom of any disparities in the way their employees are treated, but are they ready to deal with the wide variety of not-okay practices I’m uncovering?
And what about the consequences of what happened last night?
Of Jack’s mouth on mine, and the reality-altering things he made me feel? Of the way he listened when I got sucked into the deep waters of quarter-life crisis, and how he made me feel not-at-all alone?
What about the thrill that shoots through my entire being simply because I’m passing by his office and catch the muted murmur of his sexy-as-sin voice through the closed door?
I have no idea.
But one thing I do know for sure—the chances of my emerging unscathed from this experience are getting smaller with every passing minute.
CHAPTER 11
Jack
Day 7 Tues 8/7
RYAN: How’s your new broker working out. Webb, right?
JACK: Yeah. Webb’s an asset for sure. Knows his stuff. Already adding value. And everyone likes the guy, to boot.
RYAN: Good. Looking forward to meeting him when I’m back. And our girl?
JACK: Our girl?
RYAN: My sister? The one you’re supposed to be keeping an eye on? Sounds like things are getting intense with her research.
JACK: Define intense.
RYAN: She mentioned issues with our hiring and promotions, and some other staff discrepancies. Promised she’d give me the full play-by-play when I’m back in the office, but something tells me this story’s getting bigger than she expected.
JACK: You think she can’t handle it? Because let me be the first to disabuse you of that notion. She’s on it, Ryan, like you wouldn’t believe.
RYAN: Didn’t say she couldn’t handle it. Just wondering what kind of fallout I need to prepare for once that bomb drops.
