“Lucy, I want you to cancel George Element’s flight tomorrow,” he told his secretary.
“Um, sure. What do you want me to tell them is the reason why? And I’ll make sure to cancel the meeting.”
“No, the meeting is still on. It’s just that I’m coming to them,” Nathan explained. “I’m only a couple of hours away right now. No need for a flight.”
“Okay.” Lucy drew out the syllables, obviously unsure what her boss was doing. “That’s not usually your move, but sure. I can move the meeting to... Devonsville. Wow. Middle of nowhere.”
Nathan barely heard the disdain in Lucy’s voice. He was already planning. Not only would he get to inspect the company first hand, he’d get to see Holly.
It wasn’t sound business to mix business and pleasure, but for the first time in his life, Nathan didn’t care if it cost him a little bit of money.
That, if nothing else, surprised him. Money was everything.
“Are you sure about this, Nathan?” Lucy asked. “Are you really sure you’re feeling okay?”
“I’m feeling better than I have in weeks,” Nathan assured her. “Just make the changes.”
“Okay. You’re the boss.” Lucy’s shrug was practically audible. “I’m just telling you it’s not a good idea.”
“Thank you, Lucy. Just do it.”
The line was quiet for a moment. Then the keys clacked. “It’s done.” Lucy’s voice was sullen and low.
But Nathan didn’t care.
He hung up on Lucy and went back to evaluating ECT. It was like stepping back in time to when he first started his own business. The little things about the company fascinated him. He had so many plans just by looking. He hadn’t been this excited in years.
And his excitement wasn’t even including the prospect of seeing Holly again.
Chapter 22
Holly
“You seem... sad.” Aliyah glanced over from the passenger seat, her dark eyes looking Holly over like she was worried her friend might be sick.
Holly kept her eyes on the road. Aliyah had gotten the car from the lot, but Holly was driving home.
“Was it that guy?” Aliyah pressed. “You were pretty happy yesterday.”
“Yeah.” Holly sighed. “Have you ever connected with someone immediately? Like, you don’t even need to know them for more than an hour to like them?”
“Sure.” Aliyah leaned back in her seat. “I liked you the moment I met you.”
Holly smiled at the memory. On her very first day as a teacher at Devonsville Elementary, Holly had been overwhelmed and nervous. She was worried that everyone would think she’d gotten the job because of her father rather than her education and experience.
Aliyah had plopped down next to her in the lunch room. “We’re now room buddies,” Aliyah informed her. “And I have a feeling we’re going to be friends, too.”
Aliyah had always been a good friend.
“Did you feel that with this guy? I need a name for him, by the way. And some details.” Aliyah crossed her arms and glared at her friend.
“His name is Nathan. And yes. I did.”
“Then why are we driving away? If you feel something, you should go with it.”
“This isn’t a romance novel,” Holly chided. “He’s not going to sweep me away to his castle and everything will be sunshine and roses. He has a job. One that keeps him stupid busy. I have a job.”
“One that keeps you stupid busy?”