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“I understand you’ve befriended the cast of a reality show,” he said.
“Layana Hartley fromWhat the What?”Pamela offered.
“Mmm,” he said, and waited like there was something I was supposed to say next.
I spun the waiting water bottle on the desk. “I know her.”
He nodded and stuck his hands in his pockets. “I also come bearing an invitation.”
And baring his teeth apparently, as he smiled wider. He pulled no envelope from his pocket, so whatever this invitation was, it was the worst kind—an informal one.
“If you don’t have plans over the weekend, a few of the execs and their families are getting together for a skiing trip. We’d love to have you join us. You’ll get a chance to get to know the Biotabloom Dynamics family.”
I was supposed to get ten days before I had to interact with any of these people if they attended the gala, nineteen until our meeting if not. He expected me to drop everything and spend what should be work time and free time with them?
“I’m working Saturday,” I said.
“We’ll have to check with his assistant, see what appointments can be moved around,” Pamela said.
Mr. Daniels’s smile dropped a bit. “It would be a great opportunity. We hope you can make it.” He turned for the door, and casually added, “Oh, and bring your friend if she’s free.”
The comment was added as if it meant nothing, but I knew exactly what all of this meant.
Layana’s post was why they wanted toget to know me.And she was expected to join.
I didn’t want anything to do with any of it.
“We’ll be in touch,” Pamela said, as she ushered the uninvited guest back into the hall.
Finally, peace returned. I popped the lid to my lunch box.
Pamela returned and sat down across from me.
I sighed.
“You have to go,” she said. “And you have to bring the girl.”
“I don’thaveto do anything but my job.”
She leveled me with a look that I should have seen coming. “You do if you want this merger.”
I knew that. It was why my stomach felt like it was filled with stone.
“It’s a huge risk to go, though, too,” she said. “A weekend is too much face-to-face time. We could commit to a shortened stay. Perhaps a dinner plus outdoor time where minimum conversation would be required.”
“That would be preferable,” I agreed.
She gave me a nod and rose from her seat. “I’ll see to it.”
I said nothing as she left.
I felt nothing but a quickly growing sense of dread. There was no chance of escaping this forced social situation. I was going to have to go. I would be expected to shmooze.
There was nothing I hated more than shmoozing.
My stomach twisted further. There was no way I was going to be able to eat now.
I tucked my lunch back into the fridge and tried to conceive of a plan that could release me from this obligation. Certainly Jasper would gladly pretend we had prior plans. Perhaps bodily injury would suffice as an excuse.
