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“I’m going to get another coffee,” I said. “Do you need anything?”
She shook her head at me. “No thanks. I brought water.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in a few- and when you’re done with that, I’ll walk you to your new office. You’ve earned it.”
Her face lit up with excitement at the news. “Does this mean my probationary period is over? I’m officially on the team?”
“You’re officially hired,” I smiled, affirming her. I remembered her official onboarding letter that would include her new wage. I went to my desk, picked up the envelope, and handed it to her with a smile.
“Everything you need to know is in there.”
I turned toward the elevator, rode to the lobby, and walked out the front door. A panicked realization hit me as I entered the coffee shop next door.
I’d just given her the review paperwork along with the onboarding letter.
And then, after the conversation we’d just had, she would be reading my assessment of her wardrobe. If there was ever a time she would feel vulnerable about that, it was at that moment.
“Can I help you?” the girl behind the counter asked, pulling me back from my thoughts.
“No,” I said, turning back toward the door. “No. I don’t think you can.”
Chapter Seven
JILL
AsIsettledintomy office chair the following day, my heart raced with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The day had finally arrived, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in my journey at the company. Accompanying Jeremy on a short business trip to Boston, I was left feeling a whirlwind of emotions – excitement and trepidation intertwined, leaving my stomach doing flips.
With my laptop and presentation materials packed and ready, though, I felt prepared. However, there was something else lingering in the back of my mind that was casting a shadow of self-consciousness over my excitement.
Jeremy had been tactful about it leading up to the review. Instead of tackling the revealing nature of my wardrobe, he had subtly hinted at my penchant for vibrant colors and bold patterns.
The wording in the review was much more direct, and it haunted me. I found myself obsessing over the fear of an undone button or a skirt riding up too high.
"You dress very professionally and have taken past recommendations to heart," he wrote appreciatively yet constructively. "Thank you for accepting constructive criticism. Your unique sense of style contributes to your congeniality with teammates. The only further recommendation is to ensure that all clothing meets our parameters for workplace modesty."
I pondered his words, attempting to decipher their tone. Was he really judging me as harshly as it seemed? Or was I making a lot out of a little?
With today's trip approaching, I couldn't afford any wardrobe mishaps. I meticulously selected a khaki skirt and jacket with a modest blue blouse. Rumors and tension surrounded Jeremy and me traveling together on this trip; I needed to leave no room for doubt.
As I sat at my desk preparing to take off, thoughts drifted back to the conversation Jeremy and I had the previous day. We finally addressed the undeniable attraction building between us. Broaching this delicate subject was essential – we couldn't allow personal feelings to jeopardize our careers.
Jeremy stopped at my office door and lightly knocked. “You ready?”
I looked at my packed suitcase beside my desk and breathed deeply.
“As I’ll ever be,” I joked.
We went downstairs and out the front door, where a car was waiting. Jeremy helped me put my suitcase in the trunk, then opened the door for me to slide into the back seat with him.
He smelled good. In the close proximity of the back seat, I couldn’t stop thinking about how well put together he was. I stared at his perfectly shaved face as his hair was combed and smoothed back for the day. His clothes were stylish and neat. His skin was clear.
He took better care of himself than most men I’d known growing up in rural Ohio. He was the type of man I only saw on television as a child and dreamed of someday marrying.
Now, I was trying desperately not to act weird on our drive to the airport.
Once we boarded the plane, I could put on headphones and shut my eyes. That allowed me a reprieve from my gawking but presented a new embarrassing problem: Jeremy woke me up when the plane landed, ushering me into a state of consciousness where I realized I’d inadvertently fallen onto him, then subsequently drooled all over his shoulder.
He had to have noticed but was polite enough not to mention it. We walked together to the next car, then rode to where we’d be staying.
