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My eyebrows shot up. “Really? Even if they go through HR?” I had no interest in dating—let alone dating someone from the company. I was just surprised by the outdated rule. Most tech companies didn’t bother having any policies that affected personal lives.
“Get this,” Ben whispered, slipping into his new office that was empty except for a desk and two chairs. He closed the door and took a seat. “It’s all because of Don. He’s had several complaints against him over the years. After meeting him, I can see why. The company even had to settle one of the complaints outside of court. Cindy from human resources told me all about it. I guess he had not one, but multiple affairs. He was married, they were married. It was an absolute mess. Then he actuallyfiredone of the women after lying about cause. Said she wasn’t performing when she was or some bullshit. Anyway, she threatened to sue. They were somehow able to settle it outside of court, but it could have been a nightmare for them. Frankly, I’m shocked they were able to keep it out of the media. A philandering CEO doesn’t exactly bode well for a dating app like Love Linked.”
I crossed my arms. “A bit ironic a guy like that is running the company that’s supposed to clean up our image,” I said.
“You can say that again. The guy seems like a first-class creep, but what can we do? We’re stuck with him for now and at least his poor judgement and indiscretions haven’t impacted the company.”
“Yet,” I muttered.
“Fingers crossed that asshole can keep it in his pants and keep his big mouth shut.” Ben shook his head. “You’ll get the spiel when you meet with HR, but basically any woman you see in this office is off limits unless you want to be removed bythe board.” He leaned in closer to me. “I’m serious Nathan, I know how challenging it will be for you to avoid mingling with employees.”
I shot him an icy glare as he burst into laughter. He knew better than anyone about my aversion to socializing—especially with employees. Our common ground was work. That was our connecting link. The notion of delving into their personal lives held absolutely zero appeal. Why would I want to hear about their children or the vacation they took to Florida?
It seemed utterly ridiculous.
I noddedat a few employees I had briefly spoken with on my way out of the office. They all returned my greeting with a polite smile, but I could see in their eyes they hoped I didn’t try to approach them.
When Ben and I first started our company, I never envisioned being the prickly founder that intimidated everyone. Yet that’s what I had become—destined to walk the halls alone and have heads duck anytime I approached a room.
Stepping out of the building, the crisp Denver air caused me to take a sharp intake of breath. Winter was well on its way. Having spent the last decade in sunny, sixty-degree temps, I wasn’t entirely sure I could handle it.
A woman waiting at the edge of the sidewalk in front of the building caught my eye. Her loose waves were tucked into a dark green scarf.
Charlie.
My gaze darted past her, down the block. Typically, I would walk past as if I didn’t see her, yet something about our initial interaction ate at me. We would be working together quite a bit,and I couldn’t have there being any type of underlying animosity between us.
Before I could change my mind, I took a step toward her. “Charlie,” I said, my voice colder than I intended.
Her large, almond eyes ripped away from her phone.
“Nathan.” She nodded at me. “How was your first day?”
Though her tone seemed friendly enough, a glimmer of wariness still flickered across her face. Throughout my life, I had grown accustomed to people sucking up to me out of necessity, their friendliness never more than a façade. While this might bother others, I found solace that I still—at the very least—commanded respect. Charlie, however, appeared to be an exception to that rule. She hadn’t yet offered me respect or a fake front of friendliness. This fact alone piqued my interest.
“More exhausting than expected,” I told her honestly.
She tilted her head, examining me. “How so?”
“For one, I was met with more resistance than I typically encounter.”
The corner of her lip turned up ever so slightly. “Is that so? People usually just fall all over your ideas and tell you how good they are?”
“Pretty much.”
Her smile spread. I couldn’t help but notice the asymmetry in it. Despite its crookedness, it lit up her whole face.
“Well, you won’t find that here.”
“I found it from everyone else,” I challenged. “Everyone but you.”
Her smile faltered and her eyes darkened. “I’m sorry, but respectfully, I’m good at my job. I’m going to voice an opinion if I have it—even if it opposes your own.”
“Do you?”
She sighed, doing a poor job of containing her frustration. “Do I what?”
“Have respect for me?”
