The Boss Project

CHAPTER 6

Evie

A week later, I arrived at my new office with a belly full of first-day jitters.

Was the building this tall when I came for my interviews?

I stood at the front entrance, staring up at the skyscraper, feeling as tiny as an ant. It was still dark, but as the old saying goes, New York never sleeps, so the block was almost as lit up as it would be midday. People in suits were already rushing all around me, even though it was a little before six AM.

I’d wanted to be early, but now that I was here, maybe this was a smidge too early. I debated going back to the coffee shop where I’d stopped for my caffeine fix on the way from the train. Perhaps I could sit at the table and watch some TikToks to pass the time until seven, but then a man jogged past me. I didn’t give it much thought until he stopped a few paces later and backed up.

“Evie?”

I blinked. “Merrick?”

He plucked an earbud from one ear and looked me up and down. “Are you coming to work this early?”

“Ummm… Yeah, I thought it would be good to get an early start.”

My new boss looked at his watch. “It’s five fifty.”

“I guess I was a little overeager.”

He smiled. Damn, he really was good looking. I’d always had a weakness for a man who wore a suit well, but today he was dressed in running gear—black shorts and a body-hugging, long-sleeved Under Armour shirt. His forehead was damp with sweat, and his thick neck glistened in the overhead lights.

“The office doesn’t open until seven.”

“Oh. I’ll just go get some coffee or something.”

Merrick eyed the large cup in my hand. “Why don’t I show you where your office is, and you can get situated.”

“Oh, no. That’s okay. I don’t want to interrupt your run.”

“It was my last lap, anyway.” He tilted his head toward the door. “Come on.”

In the lobby, Merrick stopped at the security desk.

“Hey, Joe. This is Evie Vaughn. Dr. Everly Vaughn.” He turned to me and winked. “I’m sure HR will be sending down the paperwork to get her building cards later today. Just figured I’d introduce you and tell you not to forget the Doctor part before her name.”

“No problem, boss.”

Merrick extended his hand for me to walk first toward the elevator. I waited until we were out of earshot to say anything.

“You know, I’m not a jerk about being called doctor. I could care less about the title. You were just being difficult that day and brought out a side of me.”

The elevator doors slid open, and Merrick held them and grinned. “What side would that be? Your bitchy side?”

I squinted. “Did you just call me a bitch on my first day of work? I think I’ve already figured out the root of your stressed-employee problems here at the office. This job is going to be easier than I thought.”

Merrick smirked. “I never claimed I wasn’t part of the problem. Your job is to get people to learn how to deal with it.”

“Or…you could act more professional.”

Merrick pressed a button on the elevator panel. “What fun would that be?” He paused. “By the way, your office is on a different floor than the one you interviewed on. Not sure if Joan told you that.”

“Oh yes, she mentioned it. The traders are all on one floor and everyone else is a floor down?”

He nodded. “We don’t all fit on one, but it’s better split this way, anyway. The traders yell across the bullpen all day long. It can get pretty loud, and the language isn’t great when a stock they’ve invested in heavily tanks.”