There was a coffee shop in the lobby of her building, and I took a minute to review its menu of fresh-roasted coffee and artisanal chocolate. A woman smiled at me over her laptop, and I realized I was staring off into space. I was stalling.
I edged down the block and entered the building's main lobby. Marble walls and gold-leaf spoke to the building's historic status, and I was tempted to sit down and admire it. Instead, I opted to take the stairs to Tasha's top floor offices.
As I climbed, I wondered how on earth Tasha had convinced Stan to open up shop in such a neighborhood. He had deep San Francisco roots, and I didn't foresee him traveling across the bay every day. I pushed open the door on the top floor and got my answer: the new company sign featured Tasha's name, which meant Stan was planning to retire.
The receptionist nodded to me and then glanced back with a widening smile. She smoothed down the front of her silk blouse and gave her lipstick a quick lick. "Hello, I'm Amber. Is there anything I can help you with?"
I didn't know whether to be pleased or irritated. It had been nice staying out of the tabloids, but people still recognized me, especially in the business world. Either the receptionist was going to have to study names and faces better, or Tasha would find her a new position.
"Just admiring the view," I said. I winked at the receptionist and then turned to look out the large arched windows.
Oakland traffic streamed past far below, and from the top floor, I could see Jack London Square. It was a view worth admiring, but I was stalling again. It was my last chance to head back to the elevators before someone I knew spotted me. What was I doing at Tasha's office anyway?
If I was being honest, Tasha and I didn't know each other that well. Not well enough for a random drop by. I could take the 'just in the neighborhood' route, but I knew Tasha wouldn't fall for it. The last thing I wanted to do was put her on edge or make her suspicious.
It had taken me long enough to get past her suspicions the first time.
"Rainer Maxwell, good to see you," a voice boomed.
I turned around and had my hand crushed in a vice-like shake. "Otto. I didn't expect to see you here," I said.
The former Hyperion head of security clapped me on the shoulder and finally released my aching hand. "I could say the same about you."
"I'm just wondering how Tasha got Stan Eastman to set up shop in Oakland," I said.
Otto chuckled. "Oh, he put up a fight. Though I think this was his plan all along. You know he's retiring soon, right? I think all he wanted to do was encourage Ms. Nichols to find her own way."
I followed Otto across the reception lobby and through the double doors to the outer offices. "So, Tasha is the brains behind all of this."
Otto swelled with pride. "She's a great boss. Good atmosphere here. I like it. You would too."
I stopped in the hallway. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Otto shrugged, but his gaze was shrewd. "You and Ms. Nichols made a good team."
"You don't have to sound so shocked," I said.
Otto laughed again. "I'm serious. She wouldn't have been brave enough to salvage the GroGreen project if it hadn't been for you pushing her. And she wouldn't have gotten into community development. I've been to see that garden, you know."
I glanced away, not wanting him to see that I had just come from visiting the garden we helped plant. "So, Tasha took you away from San Francisco, huh?" I asked.
Otto snorted and led me towards the executive offices. "Mr. Eastman insisted, with a very nice raise. Plus, I live over in Richmond and love the shorter commute."
I sighed. "All you East Bay people."
"Bet you wouldn't mind ending up here yourself," Otto said. He stopped and gave me another measuring look. "Maybe there's another project Ms. Nichols could include you in."
"No, no, I'm not here looking for a job." As soon as I said it, I knew it was the wrong thing to say.
Otto's eyes gleamed with speculation. "Well, don't let me get in your way. Ms. Nichols' office is just over there."
I shook hands with the head of security again and then headed in the direction he pointed. The office was an open floor plan with a swath of cubicles running dow
n the center. The offices on the side were almost entirely walled in with glass to let in the light. A large conference room dominated the far wall, flanked on either side by larger executive offices.
Tasha's was on the left with a dramatic backdrop of Oakland towers and roofs behind it. She had pulled back the heavy linen curtains to allow the entire office to see inside. I was certain that watching Tasha put in a full day of work motivated every single person within sight.
She was pacing back and forth while talking on her phone, and when she glanced up, I froze. Her coppery hair caught the sunlight streaming through the windows. The sleek, dove-gray business suit she wore hugged her body in the way only tailor-made clothes could. She looked every inch the powerful CEO, and I would have felt better with a folder or report or something to show her.