“Sit.” His hand waves in front of the empty chair.
After hesitating, I do as he asks—which is good because I still feel weak in the knees. Sitting. Yes, this is what I need right now. I love sitting.
I’m looking at a different version of Theo. His casual outfit from before is replaced with a green suit, making his eyes appear softer and more earthy. Everything else about him looks harder. His tie is straight, and his suit is pressed. It’s probably designer, too.
I’m putting too much pressure on myself.
He looks at me with a patient smile, and my stomach does somersaults. This is exactly why I didn’t want to take the job. It was easy to forget how he made me feel when he wasn’t standing right before me. Now, with him a foot away, all I can think of is how warm his gaze is even when sitting in a cool, minimal office.
My fingers graze the corner of his glass desk, grounding myself with the smooth touch. I find comfort in a framed photograph of trees hanging behind him. The green is so vivid.
“You don’t need to freak out,” he murmurs. “I picked you for a reason.”
“What’s the reason?” I blurt.
“You’re smart and organized, and I have a feeling you’ll be able to think fast on your feet.” He lifts a shoulder like it’s just that easy. Maybe it is, and I’m making a big deal of everything. “Most importantly, you don’t annoy me. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”
I lean back. “Then… I’m the personality hire in this place?”
He lifts his hands. “I didn’t say that. I hired you based on many factors.”
“Right.” I roll my eyes playfully. “If a personality hire is what you want, I can be that.”
“Just be you.That’sall I want. Today is all about training and getting comfortable, so there’s no pressure. Follow me around. I’ll show you how to work the calendar, where your office is, and help you set up your iPad. Simple stuff. Sound good?”
I nod, hoping to look more confident than I feel. “Sounds good.”
He leans in, fixing me with a soft look. “You’ll do great, Evie. Have more faith in yourself. I have a ton of faith in you.”
“What if it’s misplaced?”
“It never is.”
“Maybe you’retooconfident.” I shake my head. “Think that attitude can rub off on me by the end of the summer?”
“I think so. Confidence is something any leader needs to have, so… looks like you’re already learning a thing or two about owning a business.”
I exhale, finally letting my shoulders drop. “It looks like I am.”
This will be good for me. The pay is good, the boss is nice, and the office environment is pleasant. It’s a welcome change of pace from the stress of working in bakeries and dealing with chaotic customers. I wouldn’t mind staying here if I didn’t have a business to invest in.
I’m getting ahead of myself. Theo threw me into a new world, and I still don’t know if I’ll sink or swim.
The morning goes by quickly,and it’s not nearly as stressful as I assumed it would be. As promised, he helps me set up my iPad, shows me the tiny office attached to his, and introduces me to the calendar system.
That tiny office? It’s not spacious or private, but it’s all mine, and I find comfort in knowing I have somewhere to disappear to.
Theo’s schedule is a mess. I’m overwhelmed just looking at it, and I can’t imagine having to run around like he does. My hours at the bakery were exhausting, but that was mostly because I had to wake up early. At least I did my work all in one place.
We’ll be zipping around the office, talking to dozens of people, and even traveling around the city. That’s not to mention the trip to Finland that I’m in charge of organizing.
He lets me take things one second at a time, but my head is overflowing with new information by lunch. Theo has a call to take, and I don’t want to be too reliant on him, so I find my way to the lunchroom alone.
I expect to find a microwave, a few round tables, and sandwiches brought from home. Everett even made me a sandwich: peanut butter and jelly, like when we were kids.
That’s not what greets me. It’s more like a café than a lunchroom.
Soft jazz hums in the background. There’s a stand selling sandwiches, salad, and coffee. The aroma of roasted coffee beans fills the air, and I breathe it right in. I could get used to this. Thesandwich Everett made for me is abandoned in favor of the ones offered at the stand.
