I have years of experience working in addiction treatment and healthcare back in Washington. Unlike my former employer, McKenna Rehab Facilities, Cypress is smaller and more vulnerable, hence the potential merger. From my understanding, Cypress was run by incompetent management for years, nearly bringing about its demise. It’s only been thanks to the high demand for its services, and a handful of the competent staff that work there, that it has been able to keep its doors open.
Now, here I am, working in the capacity of program director while also being dragged onto the mergers and acquisitions team to do our best to hash out a deal before the end of the year.
A few minutes later, Jase hands me my drink. “Here you go. And here are our attorneys,” he tells the guard, then gives their names to him, “Bryant, Chip, and Mitchell.”
Minutes later, a bubbly, forty-something-year-old woman wearing a low bun and librarian-style glasses greets us off the elevators.
“Suzette, great to see you again,” Jase says.
I’m introduced to Mr. Townsend’s assistant, though it’s made clear she’s not his executive assistant.
“Mark will be joining you all during the meeting,” she says.
“Excellent. He’s been on top of everything thus far,” Jase adds.
I listen to the polite conversation they make as we all ride up the elevator to the top floor, keeping quiet myself. I run my hand down the length of my black pencil skirt, ensuring that any wrinkles get smoothed out. In my head, I go through everything I know about Townsend’s potential deal with Cypress. I even manage to develop a few recommendations on Cypress’ end to make us more appealing to the company. Mentally, I make a note to run them by Jase once we’re back in our office.
“Right this way.” Suzette’s bubbliness is still oozing off of her. Her smile is genuine, and she appears to be someone who enjoys their role. For whatever reason, that aids in reducing some of my anxiousness. Mr. Townsend can’t be all that bad if this woman, who works directly with him, enjoys her work.
The Christmas music playing in the background, yet again, reminds me that the holiday season is upon us. It looks like Townsend Industries doesn’t believe in waiting until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas.
I follow the long procession of men, taking up the rear.
“Aaron, great to see you again,” Jase greets farther down the hallway.
Glancing up, I peer around one of Cypress’ lawyers to see a tall man with dark hair and piercing eyes. The scowl on his face nearly stops me from going any farther. Only when I see that he reaches out to shake Jase’s hand in a somewhat friendly gesture, do I force my feet to keep moving.
He can’t hurt you, Jackie.
I have to remind myself that this man isn’t my father. He’s a businessman.
“Aaron, please meet Cypress’ newest acquisition, Jackie Hinkerson. I spoke to you about her the last time we met. Jackie is Cypress' new Director of Programs.”
I hold out my hand to shake as Aaron Townsend eyes me up and down. Not in that creepy, lascivious way, but assessingly. As if he could discern my talents or skills from a look.
He extends his hand for a firm handshake.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Townsend.”
He nods but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he juts his head in the direction of the boardroom where we’re meeting.
“Mark, great to see you,” Jase says as he enters the room.
At first, his body obscures my view, but when he steps aside, I nearly topple over when I’m met with a set of light hazel eyes.
I can’t breathe as the walls surrounding us feel as if they’re caving in on me. I try to tell my body to move. A flicker of common sense in the recesses of my mind attempts to remind me that I’m at work, but I can’t stop staring at Mark.
The bitter way his jaw clenches and his eyes narrow tells me that he remembers exactly who I am.
And what I did to him.
Chapter 3
What the hell isshedoing here? In this fucking office. Inmyoffice. Granted, this isn’t my office. I don’t have an office, but fuck semantics. This is my job. Why is Jackie Hinkerson standing in the boardroom where our meeting is about to take place?
“Mark, I told Suzette that we were bringing our newest hire today. Meet Jackie Hinkerson,” Jase introduces, utterly oblivious to the fact that the air in the room shifted as soon as he stepped aside, and our gazes collided.
I don’t say anything, specifically because my jaw firmly clenches as I peer up at the girl I once knew—the girl with mocha skin, dark brown eyes, and a smile that could light up a room.
