“Oh, that’s kind of you to say,” I responded. “I’m ready to help shift the narrative here.”
“Boy, do we need it,” she chuckled, throwing a glance at Denise. “Our fearless leader has moods, but this one won’t quit.”
As much as I wanted to pump her for details about Harrison’s grumpiness, it was too soon for me to get personal. Based on how friendly the pair were, I hoped we’d eventually wind up as gossip buddies.
I bobbed my head agreeably. “I see a way forward, if all goes according to plan.”
The only potential issue was the man at the center of the controversy, but I hoped he’d give in once he realized he was outnumbered.
“What can I get for you?” Susan asked. “Water? Coffee? An energy bar? Because it sounds like Harrison has a big day lined up for you.”
I chuckled. “I’m fine, thanks. I made crepes for breakfast.”
Susan’s eyebrows shot up. “Youmadethem? I’m impressed!”
“I like to bake when I’m stressed, and I’d say my whirlwind hiring here at Ashford qualifies as stressful.”
“Well, I have a feeling you’re going to be firing up your oven quite a bit over the next few weeks,” Denise replied. “Working at Ashford is phenomenal, but it can get tense at times, you know?”
“Well, if that’s the case, you’ll both be beneficiaries of my baking,” I smiled at them despite the butterflies in my belly. “I hope you like sweets.”
“Like them?” Susan laughed. “I’m addicted. Bring it on! We’ll leave you alone so you can prep for your big meeting. The projector is right over there,” she pointed to the corner of theroom. “Our IT guru Rakesh will be up in a couple of hours to get it set up.”
The butterflies started swarming. “Okay, but, um, Harrison said I needed to present to his team first thing? Is there any way Rakesh can come now?”
“Oh,” Susan frowned at me. “He’s tied up with our CFO at the moment, but I’ll let him know you need him ASAP.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said quickly. I didn’t want to cause a fuss right off the bat. Besides, I’d watched IT guys set up about a million presentations over the years. It didn’t seemthatcomplicated. “Maybe I can figure it out.”
Ten minutes later, I was on my hands and knees on the floor next to the projector, watching a YouTube instructional video that wasn’t making the setup process any clearer.
“Why don’t I have that hole?” I asked out loud, clutching the connection wires in my hand. “It’s the exact same device as the one in the video, but I only have one hole!”
I leaned down to reexamine the connection box on the floor, hoping that I’d somehow missed the elusive extra hole. As I stared at the machine, I noticed movement in my periphery, and I glanced at the window in front of me. There in the reflection I spied none other than the man of the hour.
The Jetliner Jackass was standing in the conference room doorway, staring at my ass.
Which just happened to be up in the air like I was a cat in heat.
“What’s this about your holes?” he asked, amusement in his voice.
I spun around. “Excuseme?”
I had to struggle to hold onto my indignation, because the moment our eyes connected my heart pulsed. Heat pooled in my belly, my skin felt too tight, and I had to fight the urge to smooth down my dress. It didn’t matter how much of jackass the man was, my body apparently had no pride when it came to Harrison Ashford. He looked even hotter than usual if that was even possible, in a black suit that made his broad shoulders look twice as big.
He wasn’t the only one who’d put effort into looking good. I was in an emerald-green belted dress short enough to show some leg but long enough to be office appropriate…when I stood like a normal human. I had no idea how much bare upper thigh and butt cheek I’d just exposed to my new boss.
“I heard you muttering about holes,” Harrison replied. “Do I need to get HR involved?”
My face went hot. “You wouldn’t have heard a thing if you hadn’t been…” I struggled for the appropriate word, “loiteringin the doorway like a stalker.”
“I was walking in to say good morning and welcome. I’d hardly call that stalker behavior,” he mused. “Now what’s the problem here?”
“No problem,” I snapped back at him as I refocused on the projector since looking at him made me shaky. “I’m fine.”
I could feel his eyes on me.
“I agree.”
