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“So he doesn’t have to work every moment you’re working?” Elianna asks. “Just me, huh?”
“It’s not—” I roll my thoughts through my head, wondering how to explain this. “Britta was with me a long time. She taught me a lot about how to manage this company because she’d worked in the travel and tourism industry her whole career. She brought a lot of assets, and I don’t know, she seemed to care about the company as much as I did.”
Elianna frowns and nods rapidly. I reach out a hand. “That’s not to say you have to have that kind of dedication. This is a job. I know Britta wasn’t the norm, and I’m not asking that of you. Besides, I work most every day, but I’m not going to ask you to come in on Saturdays and Sundays. Usually.” I wince and then chew my bottom lip. I realize how bad this sounds. “If I’m trying to broker a deal, then, maybe.”
Her face is turning red and I back down. “This is a crazy three months. All I’m asking is that you’ll stick with me until the holidays and the new year, then you can have a nice, long vacation away from me.”
“Of course.” She shifts in her stance and takes one of the bags. “Is this one mine?” She opens it and peeks in. “Fresh Caesar dressing? Smells good.”
“If you like anchovy sauce.”
“You’re in luck. I do.” She stills and then tilts her head to one side. “But would it be okay if sometimes I choose what we eat?”
“Definitely.” Yeah. I should have asked her that instead of just assuming she’d like the salad and bread. Man, I have a lot to learn before I win any boss of the year awards. “Let’s eat and then get back to work.”
Her lips form a line and she nods. “You got it. And I don’t want to seem like I’m not a team player. I just wasn’t prepared for Frankenstein-level working hours.”
I’m left with a feeling of dread in my gut. I don’t know how to do this with someone who isn’t Britta.
But I’m going to have to learn fast.
Chapter 7
Elianna
It’s dark outside when I leave, my parking pass in hand.
Ethan tried calling me earlier but I was so busy cranking out a bunch of emails for Sebastian that I couldn’t answer. Once I get settled in my car, I turn on the hands-free calling and dial Ethan.
“How was day one?” he asks as he answers my call.
I hesitate. Do I tell him what he wants to hear? Or do I tell him the truth? Truth, or leaking out the truth over time, usually wins. “I like new experiences, but I’m not going to lie, this one was rough.” I smack my lips for emphasis.
“Please tell me you didn’t get in an argument with my best friend. Our friendship is on the line here.”
I look both ways before pulling onto Lakeside Road. “Seriously, Ethan? Your friendship with Sebastian is not on me. You guys are adults. Even if I run from the building and threaten to burn it down, you guys can still be friends.”
“Are you going to threaten to burn it down?”
I laugh. “Yeah, right after I sue him for workplace mistreatment.”
“Elianna—” Ethan’s tone is one of warning, like he’s asking me to take this seriously.
I am taking this seriously.
“I’m kidding! It’s what I do. You should try it sometime. That might help the premature graying thing if you were to joke around a bit more.”
“Elianna—” he warns again, but this time it feels more lighthearted. I did see a few grays during our family summer vacation to Alaska a few months ago and teased him mercilessly. I’m just getting him back for all the teasing he did when I was little.
“Okay, so I totally understand now why you and Sebastian are such good friends,” I say. “You’re eerily similar. Except he’s like ten times grumpier than you are.”
“I’m not grumpy.” But his tone of voice is the posterchild for grumpiness.
Check that. Sebastian fills that role nicely, but Ethan might come in a close second. I laugh to show Ethan how silly that response was.
“Are you going to be able to cut it?” Ethan asks. He’s driving, too, as evidenced by the smooth purr of whatever make or model he’s gotten this time. I don’t have a six-figure salary like he does, so I’m driving a sensible, older Honda sedan.
“Ethan, not only am I going to be able to cut it, I’m going to blow it out of the water. Tate International will be so much better off because I’m here.”
