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Everyone already thinks I'm an ass hole, but can I really stoop this low?
I turn back to Hudson and Brett and their expectant, confused expressions, and I realize -Yes, I can.I have to.
"Well, gentlemen, I have it on good authority that Vanessa Lopez is the last person you want to hire for this position. Maybe if you had consulted with me sooner, you wouldn't have wasted this much time on her. But no need to worry. I'll ensure Sturgill is aware of my concerns as well as your error in judgment, and we'll get this all straightened out. Enjoy the party."
I nod with a tight smile and turn to walk away, knowing I didn't exactly tread as lightly as I should have with Hudson. But there's no time to worry about it now. I have to go find Sturgill. Hopefully after I get finished with him, this will be the last I ever have to hear of any of this andherever again.
1
Vanessa
"Beautiful," I mutter to myself as I stare into the microscope, slowly switching from one slide to the next.
I reach for the next set I want to take a look at, but the sudden sound of someone's voice nearly makes me drop them all.
"This is your wake up call!" Noah says loudly, appearing behind from out of nowhere.
"Jesus, Noah!" I hiss through a sharp gasp, spreading my hand over my chest to calm my pounding heart.
"Sorry. I forget how jumpy you are."
"No you don't. You remember just fine, and you continue sneaking up on me on purpose. One day you're going to make me break something really important, and I'll have to fire you."
"Why?" he shrugs. "You'd be the one who dropped it. If anything you should get fired."
"What do you want?" I groan, turning my attention back to the slides.
"It's four o'clock. Time to take Addy to ballet class."
"Great. Thanks. I need five more minutes," I tell him.
"You told me not to let you stay past four under any circumstances," he reminds me.
"Five more minutes," I repeat, waving him off.
He rolls his eyes. "Why do you ask me to warn you it's time to go if you never leave when I tell you to?"
"Curing cancer takes time," I defend with my back turned to him.
"Believe me. I know."
"If you know," I sigh impatiently. "Why are you still bothering me? I'm hitting snooze. Five more minutes. I always account for a few five minute buffers."
"No. You are always late," he argues, crossing his arms and leaning against the counter next to me. "Why don't you just let the nanny take your niece to ballet class anyway?"
"It's important for Addison to have as normal of a life as possible after everything she's been through."
"I'd argue it's important for you to have a normal life too. You know, take a day off. Take a trip somewhere. Dare I say, go on a date."
I shake my head, wishing we weren't having this conversation again. In the three years Noah and I have been working together, he has asked me out at least a thousand times.
"I've told you I don't date coworkers," I huff, wishing he'd leave me alone and let me work.
"And it crushes me every time I hear you say it," he says sarcastically, feigning heartbreak. "But seriously Vanessa. It doesn't have to be with me. It can be with anyone. You deserve to have fun from time to time. Otherwise, you're going to crash and burn and the world will never get your brilliant cure for cancer."
My eyes won't focus on the slides in front of me anymore, and I can't think straight. I suck in a big breath and blow it out slowly, trying my best to refocus. Once I get in the zone, I have to get as much done as possible. The moment I'm out of it, it's impossible to get back until the next day.
"I appreciate the life advice, and now because of it…I'll need ten more minutes."
