“What’s that supposed to mean?” I folded my arms across my chest.
“We beat around the bush here plenty, but,” he said, and leaned back, “we can’t keep pretending your understanding of a budget is the same as the rest of ours.”
I blinked a few times, stomping on the fire of annoyance and shock growing in my belly. He had no idea of the budgeting gymnastics I’d had to do to stay alive.
He didn’t stop. “Is this really what you want? To be an engineer and work here every day for the rest of your life? Because if I’m going to invest in you, I need to know that’s your plan. You can’t flee back to your glamorous life once this becomes old news.”
I shuddered with each stinging word.
“No offense, Elizabeth. I’m aware I come across as rude or crass. I like to think of myself as honest, and more people should be honest. I’ll bet everyone walks on eggshells around you.”
I had nothing to add. I sat there, pathetically taking it all in.
“Like I said, this is a serious profession, and Simucon is looking for a lifelong commitment from their engineers. You’ve been at the Friday lunch announcements. We hand out long-service awards regularly. Ten years, twenty years, thirty years even. Is that a future you see for yourself?” He blew out a long breath. “Because from where I’m sitting, I’m unconvinced. You can’t follow basic instructions.” He pressed his forefinger on the drawing. “I did not request a sidewalk.”
“But you should have,” I bit out, Lincoln’s words and research echoing through my mind. “We need to create a safer environment for pedestrians and people who don’t have access to their own private vehicles. The city’s planning to build a school half a mile from here.”
“Remove the sidewalk. That’s an order.” Mr. Anders nearly rolled his eyes. “Either you’ve got a savior complex, which would make sense, or Carden’s gotten to you.”
I narrowed my eyes, swallowing the vicious and unprofessional things I wished to say.
“Speaking of Carden, any idea why he’s on-site already? As far as I know, you’re both supposed to be starting there today.”
I could physically feel the blood draining from my face.
Anders narrowed his eyes. “That’s the problem with Carden. He’s not a team player. How is he meant to manage you if you’re not with him?”
“I’m fine here. He’s left me with plenty of work and a perfect set of instructions. Consider me managed.” If Lincoln lost this promotion because of me, I’d never forgive myself.
“Not good enough. You should still join him there. All the other interns have already completed their site experience. Once you’re done with these corrections, we can review them, print them, and you can take the set along with you.”
This could not be happening. It couldnotbe happening. Please, please tell me it wasn’t happening.
“Um, Mr. Carden emailed to let me know that he doesn’t think this will be a good project for me to join him on.” I swallowed hard, hoping the shame, guilt, and longing were kept out of my voice.
“No, ignore him.” Mr. Anders folded his arms. “Carden would do everything alone if I let him. He forgets his giant brain is one of the biggest keepers of knowledge and it needs to be shared. He did agood job with you on design.” Anders shuffled and met my gaze for a second. “I may have been a bit harsh with you just now, but you have improved. When Carden said you’d impressed him, I wasn’t entirely sold.”
Warmth cut through the chill in my chest. Iimpressedhim?
Mr. Anders took out his phone and typed. A few seconds later, my laptop pinged. “I’ve emailed you the location pin. Stop upstairs at Construction. They’ve got a few things they’d like to send as well.”
“I don’t want to go if Mr. Carden doesn’t need me there, Mr. Anders. I don’t want to upset him…”
“If you only went where you were needed, would you go anywhere at all?” he said with a laugh. He was still typing into his phone. “There, I’ve just let him know you’ll be joining him.”
My mouth hung open at the implication.
“It’s a tough industry, Elizabeth, and there will be many roadblocks ahead of you. When an opportunity comes along, take it.” Mr. Anders rarely used my first name. For some reason, it made his advice hit harder.
This was work. Lincoln would have to accept that. It wasn’t only about his promotion. I fought my way through this internship. I needed the money. I needed this win. And if I had to face up to my mistakes and see Lincoln, I could do it and apologize and be professional.
I’d faked more for longer. If I tried hard enough, I could pretend he wasn’t my Link. I could pretend I wasn’t in love with him.
Maybe one day I’d believe it.
35
LINCOLN
