* * *
The next morning,I paused at the front desk of Price Industries.Sarah threw me a friendly smile as she chatted with Thomas Price, the CEO himself.The lobby bustled with the usual morning activity, but there was something serene about the way Thomas’s tall frame relaxed against the counter while he spoke with Sarah.
“Morning, Callie!”Sarah called out.
“Good morning, Miss Winters.How are you?”Thomas’s kind blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he offered a warm smile.
“Morning, Sarah.Good morning, sir.I’m doing well.How are you?”My heart raced at addressing the company’s leader so directly.
Thomas laughed and waved a dismissive hand.“Ack, none of the sir shit!You make me feel old!”
I grimaced, regretting my formality.“I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize.It shows you were raised well, my dear.I think as parents, we become so focused on instilling manners into our children—teaching them to respect their elders, though I think I may have failed miserably with my two—and we forget to teach them how to transition from being a child to an adult.”
His words reminded me of my own struggles to find a balance between the respectful deference I’d been taught and the assertiveness I needed in the professional world.
“You can still show respect without the formalities,” Thomas continued.“I may be older than you, but you’re as much an adult as I am.Perhaps more-so, as of late.”
I couldn’t help standing a little taller at the subtle praise.
“I was just telling Sarah that I’m off tomorrow to take my wife on a two-week European adventure!Acting like a twenty-one-year-old with too much money in the bank instead of a CEO.”
I smiled at the image of the composed, professional Thomas Price letting loose on some romantic European getaway.
“I think that son of mine is rubbing off on me with all his talk of ‘work-life balance.’I guess I took it to heart.”
“That sounds wonderful,” I said.“I’ve never been to Europe, but I hope to go some day.”
Thomas nodded enthusiastically.“Ah, it’s a must.The sights, the culture, the food, the language—so much to love.”
Images of ancient architecture, cobblestone streets, and candlelit cafes danced through my mind.A European adventure was definitely on my bucket list.
“Before I go, Callie,” Thomas said, his tone becoming more serious, “I was hoping we might have lunch.I know it’s last minute, so I understand if you already have plans.But I was sorry to miss your presentation yesterday.I’d very much like to hear your proposal.”
I blinked.“Oh, of course, s—” I caught myself before repeating that dreaded formality.“Mr.Price?”
“I suppose that will do, but I’d prefer Thomas.”
“Well, of course, Thomas,” I corrected, warmth filling my cheeks before I regained my professional demeanor.“I’d be happy to walk you through the proposal over lunch.I’ll see if Emmett’s free when I get up to the floor.”
“No need, dear.This can just be the two of us.”
Exhilaration rushed through me.This was my chance to impress.
Before I could dwell too long, Thomas continued in that affable tone of his.“Noon, then?Just head on up to the thirtieth floor.I’ll have my assistant order in for us.”
“That sounds wonderful,” I managed, trying to sound less flustered.With a final nod and smile towards Sarah, I continued on my way.My mind was spinning.This was a huge opportunity, and I would make the most of it.
* * *
The weekend wentby in a blur thanks to a visit from my mother.Not wanting to impose on Marco, we booked a hotel room at an open-air shopping center nearby.Saturday was spent eating, drinking, and buying things I couldn’t afford but Mom insisted I needed.Still, I was grateful for the distraction.It was the first time in weeks I had gone a few hours without thinking of exquisite blue eyes and a disarmingly sexy grin.
Emmett’s unwavering support in the meeting with Gene had affected me.Spending time with my mom reminded me that not every woman was so lucky.They were simply expected to follow the dreams of the men who viewed them as little more than arm-candy.
My father wasn’t a bad man.He was a good provider, and he loved us both.But the value he placed on my mom came from what she could do for him—not what she could do for herself, for the world.And he certainly never thought about whathecould do forher.
It worked for them.They were happy.But I needed more.And in that awful meeting, Emmett had shown me he understood.The result had been a dramatic increase in my rambling and blushing.God knows how I would embarrass myself when I saw him tonight.
