“It is.”
“Welcome, Megan, to TBK,” the voice said, and then the doors opened.
“I’ve seen this kind of thing in the movies but not in real life.”
“I’m glad you’re impressed,” he said.
They stepped out of the elevator to the top floor. Here was Scott’s influence. Warmer tones. Softer furnishings.
“Hello, Eric,” a buxom brunette said from behind a big desk right to their left.
“Hey, Erica.”
Erica? You’ve got to be kidding.
“You must be Megan.” The woman came around the desk and held out her hand.
She shook Erica’s hand. “Must be nice sharing a name with the boss.”
“It beats changing my name to Scott. Too masculine, don’t you think?” Erica winked, and Megan’s green-eyed monster scurried to the back of her consciousness to remain on guard.
“Eric. Erica. Doesn’t it get confusing?”
“Not really. Sometimes, I guess. Just remember I’m the one with the deep voice.” Erica laughed, and Megan was beginning to think she might actually like spending time with her. “I love your outfit. It’s gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” She looked at Erica’s attire. White blouse, silver earrings and necklace, tan slacks, and high heels. “Yours, too.”
“Got to love TBK’s wardrobe allowance, don’t you?” She lowered her voice in a conspiratorial tone. “Don’t tell Eric or Scott, but I’d work here for free if I had to as long as I got to keep it.”
“We already know that about you, Erica. It’s cheaper to give you the allowance than to pay you what you’re really worth.”
“You can say that again,” the woman said. “All the executives are online for the video staff meeting. Only one slot missing, Felix, who is supposed to be filling in for Vicky.”
“Why?” Eric asked her.
She shrugged. “Felix called in sick.”
Eric raised one dark eyebrow. Something clearly didn’t sit right about this for him. “Felix has one of the best attendance records in all of TBK. Strange.”
“Don’t be paranoid, boss,” Erica said. “Felix is older than when he started with you guys. Maybe he’s ill.”
Megan wondered what was going thorough Eric’s mind.
“Maybe,” he said. “I’ll head to the conference room in a minute after I get Megan settled in.” Eric pulled out his cell. “I’m going to call Felix at home.”
“I could do that for you,” the woman said.
“I didn’t ask you, did I?” After hitting Felix’s number, he brought his cell to his ear.
Erica snorted. “No, you didn’t. But do you mind keeping your Dom demeanor off this floor. That works at Phase Four but not here. I’m your employee, not your sub.”
Eric glared at her. He definitely didn’t care for her insolence. “Damn. Voicemail.” He hung up his phone.
The woman glared back in clear defiance for a moment, but in only a few seconds looked away.
“Let the GMs know I’ll be there shortly,” Eric said. “Megan, you’re with me.”
“Okay.”