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Me: Maybe. It just seems weird. I don’t see any other people on this invite.
Beth: Well it’s almost one now. You’ll find out! Text me after!
Me: I will.
Beth: Oh, and touch his arm.
Me:You are seriously unreal sometimes.
Beth: You love me.
Me: I do. Even though you’re nuts. Talk later.
I head to the conference room and sit at the table tapping my fingers on my notepad. No one else is in the room with me and I feel out of place. After a few minutes David enters and sits across from me at the table. He seems relaxed which makes me settle in my chair. I place my hands in my lap conscious of my tapping habit.
“Good afternoon, David and Lacey,” I hear before I turn to see Mr. Whitmore enter the room. I can barely contain my surprise as he’s not wearing his suit jacket or a tie. His blue button-down shirt is neatly tucked in and it is well fitted to his body. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows which let me get a view of his muscular forearms. This man has no idea how he makes my head spin. Shane enters the room just after him and greets us. Mr. Whitmore sits at the head of the table with Shane in the chair next to him. My leg starts bouncing up under the table and I press my palm into my knee, taking a slow breath hoping no one notices.
“Okay, I know everyone’s time is short, so let’s just get to the point,” Mr. Whitmore says.
I can’t help noticing his demeanor seems slightly different. His face has an almost cheery quality and looks less serious than when he addressed the team.
“You are both here because you are going to be the team leaders for finance on the expansion project.”
I feel my eyes go wide as I look at David across the table. He’s gently nodding his head and seems reserved in his reaction. No one says anything for a few seconds which is making me question if this is really happening. I know Mr. Whitmore said “both” so he clearly means me too. Right?
I clear my throat as my cheeks redden. I know I have to make eye contact, so I lift my chin and direct all my attention to Mr. Whitmore. “Wow. Thank you so much Mr. Whitmore. I’m very excited about this project.” Making eye contact with this man should be an Olympic sport. His stormy gray irises are some sort of superpower. I can only hold his gaze for three seconds before my stomach flips. Across the table I see David come to life as a short grin forms on his lips.
“Yes, Mr. Whitmore. Really thank you. I thought you’d choose another team member, not necessarily myself for this project,” David says.
“Well we considered that, but I think this one really needs you David. We might add another team leader down the road if necessary, but your track record with things like this is needed right now.”
As Mr. Whitmore is talking to David I suddenly wonder if this was a mistake. I have like a tenth of the experience as some of my team members. Maybe no one else applied for the role? Maybe there’s a reason no one else applied? My mind begins to do circles when Mr. Whitmore stands.
“So, I don’t have much else to offer right now, but Shane will be sending out an email tomorrow with some specifics. Thank you both.”
I see Shane walk over to David and start talking about something that I can’t quite hear. Mr. Whitmore starts his way to the door when I feel the urge to say something to him.
“Mr. Whitmore?” I softly call out.
“Yes. Lacey.”
His voice shudders through my head into my toes. I walk over to him being sure not to crowd him but close enough where I can smell his cologne. It’s something pine. I’m sure of it now and it’s completely distracting.Focus.
“Um, again, really thank you for this opportunity,” I say with a smile.
“You’re welcome Lacey. I’m sure you’ll do great. And really, it was Shane who pushed for you to be a team leader. You should thank him.”
I pause. That is not a piece of information I was expecting. I can’t think of any words to say. What is wrong with my brain? I reach out my hand and he places his soft hand in mine. His skin is warm and flawless, and I can barely keep my knees from buckling. I shake his hand once uncurling my fingers slowly then stretching them out slightly letting them slide down the inside of his wrist. Oh my goodness what am I doing? I blink hard to bring myself back to reality. “Right. I will do that. Thank you again.” I’m aware I just repeated myself, but I can’t fix it now. I’m sure I’m digging myself a bigger hole with each word I say so I turn away from him as he turns to the door and makes his way into the hallway.
Before I can process anything else David heads my way and congratulates me. His words are soft and his face expressionless. I begin to wonder if he’s sincere or just as surprised as I am that I was chosen. I nod and thank him. I go grab my notepad off the table and see Shane busily texting on his phone. Not wanting to interrupt him, I begin to head towards the door.
I’m only a few steps away from the door when I hear Shane call out, “Hey Lacey…”
“Yes?” I look over as he pockets his phone and walks towards me.
“That woman that left the bakery that night I was in the shop. That’s your business partner right?”
I form a curious smile. “Yes, her name is Beth. She’s my business partner and best friend. We’re like sisters really,” I pause wondering why I feel the need to identify Beth in more ways than one.
