Page 3 of Love Linked

“I can’t believe Nathan Shaw and Ben Mead are going to be here next week,” Lila, my best friend and head of our design team, whisper-squealed.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I sat back in my seat. “You act like that’s something to be excited about.”

“Are you kidding?” She brushed her rust-colored hair over her shoulder and looked dreamily off into the distance. “This is by far the most exciting thing that has happened at this company in years.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. Remember last year when Don almost had that sexual harassment lawsuit go to court?”

She waved off my dry tone. “Seriously, Charlie, think about it. Nathan and Ben are practically celebrities in the tech world and they’ll be here. Inthisoffice. Inourmeetings.”

I wasn’t impressed, despite her best efforts. “Aren’t they supposed to be big playboys? I remember reading some articles about it.”

“So? That only adds to the drama.” She rubbed her hands together.

I shook my head. “All it’s adding to is the number of misogynistic assholes in charge around here.”

“At least these misogynistic assholes are hot,” Lila said, holding out her phone. “I mean have you seen their pictures? That alone should get you a little excited.”

I didn’t even bother glancing up as I opened my laptop to send out a few emails. “I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you thrived in this toxic work environment.”

Lila rolled her large green eyes. “You know I don’t.” She leaned in further and whispered so that only I could hear. “Hopefully, the two of us won’t be here for much longer. It’ll be kind of fun to sit back and watch what happens.”

“Lila,” I hissed, whipping my head around to ensure no one heard. “No talking about that in the office.”

“Relax. No one is paying attention to us. Everyone’s still busy over there sucking up to Don.”

I glanced back to see all the male department heads cackling at some no-doubt tasteless joke Don had cracked.

Groaning, I averted my eyes. “This place is hell,” I muttered.

“But it won’t be ours for much longer,” Lila sing songed. I hushed her again and shooed her away.

Chapter Three

NATHAN

My gripon the steering wheel tightened as I parked my car in front of the unassuming brick townhouse. Overgrown weeds littered the dying yard. Of course Oliver wouldn't maintain his house.

I sighed, my gaze fixed on the front door, regretting every moment that had led me here.

I had debated not even calling my brother to let him know of my arrival, but I figured what was the harm? While we weren’t close, we were far from estranged. We both made the obligatory trip to our mother’s house every Christmas. Oliver, being Oliver, had insisted I stay with him the moment the words, “I’m moving to Denver,” came out of my mouth. I tried to explain to him the importance of having my own space, stressing that I'm particular about my surroundings. However, he insisted in his usual cheerful manner that it would be more practical for me to stay with him while I looked for a place of my own. “The Denver market is nuts right now,” he had said. “It’ll take you a while to find the right fit.”

I had thanked him and told him I would think about it while having no intention of taking him up on his offer. That is until my mother called.

“What’s this I hear about you moving to Denver?” she had demanded.

“That’s right, Mom.” I sighed, not wanting to deal with the lengthy conversation sure to follow.

“Ollie said you’re staying with him.” Clattering noises in the background had me imagining her with her phone tucked between her shoulder and ear as she busied herself making cookies for some church bake sale or hospital fundraiser.

“I’m not sure about that—”

“He’s really excited about it, Nathan.” Her voice cut harshly, despite her sweet tone. No surprise she’d be on his side. Oliver was the spitting image of my mother. Warm, adventurous—a little scatterbrained—and friendly to everyone. He was her pride and joy. I on the other hand, much to her dismay, was my father’s son through and through. Driven by nothing but logic and ambition.

Growing up she had coddled Oliver while my father had pushed me in various pursuits, ensuring I was prepared for the real world. I’m sure my parents loved each other at a point, but as the years went on their divide grew wider. By the time we reached high school they showed nothing but disdain for each other and barely communicated. Which left my mother to spend most of her time with Oliver, and I, my father. They finally divorced a few years back, although I think Oliver and I were both surprised it didn’t happen the moment he turned eighteen. Now we saw my mother for Christmas and birthdays, while my dad made a strained effort to see us at least once a year. Even at sixty he worked harder than ever at the small telecommunications company he built from the ground up. Like I said—I was my father’s son.

Lately, though, my mother had been showing regret that our family wasn’t closer. “Why can’t my two boys get along?” she’d say. As if she had played no part in the wedge that divided us. With only two years between us, she wanted Oliver and me to make more of an effort to be closer. But, as the years went by, we were more like strangers than friends.

“I’m sure I’ll see him, Mom. But having my own space is important.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com