“This is where we should start, to at least get you back down to industry standards.”
Harold went over the papers. “I can see that I made the right decision hiring you. And I see that you have only included the pertinent information.”
“I am thankful for your confidence. I don't know what I've done to deserve it, but I promise you that I will make sure that I do everything that you need and more.”
Harold’s brow went up. “What is this more that you're talking about?”
Sarah waved him off, not really believing that she had said anything like that out loud. It was a professional meeting, and she wasn’t going to mention what she really felt about the ‘more’ she talked about.
They talked for a while, and at some point, Sarah had calmed down. She was not as nervous as before. Sarah's heart had slowed down to a normal pace, but when he did get close and leaned in to gently touch her, her heart rate rose again. That wasn't nervousness that made it do that.
Harold wanted her to stay. There was definitely something going on between the two of them and he wanted to see what it was. Sarah must've gotten away from something and got nervous, though. One minute she was laughing and getting a little bit closer, letting her guard down, and then the next, she was saying that she had to go. Something about being late. Harold knew better. It was getting dark outside, and it was a little late, but it had nothing really at all to do with the time. She was nervous because of him. That's what it was.
“Are you sure that you don't want to stay a little bit longer?”
“No, I need to get back.”
“Well, I’ll walk you out then. It’s too late for you to be out there by yourself.”
Sarah once again said that she was fine, but he ignored her and got his coat. Sarah was gone when he got back. He was disappointed that she hadn’t waited, but hoped that she would next time. Harold expected a next time.
When he got outside, she was hailing a taxi and even though one had stopped in front of her, he told her that he would just give her a ride home.
“It's fine, I'll just take a cab.”
“I insist, Sarah. There is no sense taking a cab if you don't have to.”
She thanked him and waited for the taxi to go.
“You really don't have to do this.”
“It’s okay, Sarah. I want to.”
Chapter 12
Carolyn
Sarah was supposed to be out, and I knew exactly where she was going. She who was going to see her soon to be new boss, and it was a good thing, too. The whole reason that they had moved to Seattle was for the two of them to meet. Carolyn had been given instructions she had no choice but to comply with. It wasn't like she wanted to do anything different, either. When Dennis had called her, telling her what was going on, all she heard was that it was finally time.
Carolyn had done everything that she could to make her daughter do what was needed, what was necessary. It wasn't just necessary for the shifters in general, but for her daughter as well. Sarah didn't know it yet, but Sarah and Harold were meant to be together. The idea was that they would only need to meet and then everything else would just work itself out. They were made for each other, after all. Fate couldn’t be broken and there was nothing that could be done about it. Carolyn wasn't ready to lose her daughter, even if it was going to make her extremely happy. What she really wanted was for Sarah to stay with her forever, but she knew better than to want something so selfish.
That wasn’t meant to be, though. Her place was with Harold, and all she could do as a mother was set it up so that it would all work out. It didn't take long, either. Sarah was being dropped off by Harold. It looked like her daughter didn't take her time at all. She wasn’t dragging her feet and if Carolyn had to guess she would have thought that Sarah was already smitten.
Carolyn was a mix of emotions. She was glad that her daughter was following what fate wanted of her, but there were so many questions that Carolyn had.
The worst part of it all, of course, was the fact that Carolyn couldn't even tell her daughter about it. Sarah wouldn’t like the idea of fate having a say in her life. She was far too independent for that. Sarah liked to believe that she had control over what happened to her. Carolyn was old enough to know better. She wished that her daughter didn't have to learn the same harsh truth that she had.
Sarah came in and Carolyn noted the smile on her face, and she actually looked like she had a bit of a buzz, too. Her daughter didn’t drink, so that was surprising.
“Did you have something to drink after your meeting?”
Sarah smiled back and took her jacket off. She seemed to be tired, but she also seemed to be happy as well. That sure didn’t happen very often, especially when she had to lie to her daughter and tell her that she was sick. It was the only way that she could get Ashley to give up her dream and the job that she had loved so much. It was hard for Carolyn not to feel guilty about it, fate be damned.
“No, actually, we had a drink in his office to seal the deal.”
She didn't mean to, but she must have given her daughter a disapproving look, because Sarah tried to explain herself, saying that they had no other choice.
“What do you mean, you didn't have a choice?”
