“And if something is scheduled?”
“We’ll address it if something arises.”
“This is a really bad idea. The woman hates me.”
“She’s very good at her job, Gaige, and so are you.”
Praise at this point means nothing.
“Keep things professional and both of you will be fine. I’ve made arrangements with her to meet you at the office at nine.”
Silence fills the line, and I know there’s no way to talk him out of this. Honestly, I don’t have a leg to stand on. I have no right to ask him for favors right now. I should be grateful he found a way to get her back when I failed to do it.
“And Gaige?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Keep your dick in your pants. I need this to work out.”
The line goes dead.
Chapter 10
Leighton
I’ve stood in front of surly, misogynistic men, boardrooms full of ancient people who would rather light me on fire than listen to what I had to say with a straight spine without feeling as nervous as I do right now, riding the elevator up to the offices of Blackbridge Security for the second time.
I’m in a weird state of elation and worry, a combination of fear and excitement. I hate that I might run into John, but at the same time, I’m incredibly excited that Mr. Black is giving me an opportunity to still work with his company even after hearing that my father’s company no longer exists. It says a lot about my work as an individual, meaning he did very thorough research while he was vetting me. All this time I thought I was always shadowed by my father and his name. I’ve always worked hard, anticipating that the company would be mine, and only then would I shine, but it seems all that work is paying off now.
“Good morning,” I tell Pam, the BBS office manager, once I step off the elevator. “I have an appointment with Gaige Ward.”
Pam gives me a friendly smile. “Good morning, Ms. Redmond. Please have a seat. Mr. Ward is running just a few minutes behind. He’ll be with you shortly.”
I take a seat in the leather chair she directs me toward, placing my portfolio near my feet, hands clasped in my lap. The small waiting area is sleek and professional, the main marble wall etched with the business name. It’s nothing like the ranch-style home I visited yesterday, and I kind of like the two different worlds Deacon and Anna Black seem to inhabit. It must be easy for them to keep their worlds separate.
The minutes tick by, Pam staying busy with the incessantly ringing phone, but her voice stays nice and polite with each answer. Her fingernails click over her keyboard when she isn’t speaking. Her phone rings once again, and I wonder if it’s going to be just one more person she has to tell that Blackbridge doesn’t do that type of work, making me curious exactly what the requests are for, but she looks up at me, another smile on her face. She hangs up the phone.
“Ms. Redmond?”
“Yes,” I answer.
“Mr. Ward is ready for you. If you’ll follow me?”
“Of course.” I grab the strap of my portfolio and follow her.
Several guys are in the breakroom areas we walk through, and my cheeks heat as they watch me. I know conversations were happening before I entered, but they all cease as they notice me. It feels like walking into the cafeteria in middle school all over again. I wait for the burst of laughter that happened that day, but I know for a fact that my skirt isn’t tucked into the back of my tights this morning. I’m not wearing tights, but just in case, I sweep my hand over the back of my left leg just to make sure. Pam doesn’t bother knocking on the door before opening it, and as I step in, I realize the sterile office is empty.
“He’ll be right with you. Please make yourself comfortable.”
She closes the door behind her, and silence surrounds me. I quickly take a seat across from his desk, resting my portfolio in the empty chair to my left and press my hands to my face. Being escorted in here felt like a walk of shame, and my cheeks are on fire.
Taking calming breaths, I look around the office, noticing nothing personal aside from the various diplomas hanging on the wall. There isn’t even a potted plant in the corner. I’m not a psychologist, but it’s clear the man this space belongs too has serious commitment issues.
The door clicks open, and I rise from the chair, a professional smile on my face, but it doesn’t last long. Gaige, or should I say John, enters the room, a look of boredom on his stupidly handsome face.
“Ms. Redmond, good morning.”
So it’s going to be like that is it?