Kole laughs.
“If anyone knows about different calluses, it’s Mr.Sterling.Baseball bats, tennis rackets, running shoes, bicycle seats—heck, even rock climbing harnesses—he’s personally tested and improved all kinds of sports equipment to decrease the likelihood of calluses.He’s the one youshouldtrust with the information,” Kole says.
Having never thought of the physical impacts on the body from working at a desk all day, I grab Penelope’s wrist and lift her hand.
Careful of her watch, I rotate her wrist, uncurl her fist, and lean closer to inspect her tiny, delicate fingers.Sure enough, she has calluses.The pattern and placement intrigue me.
How many times must she have repeated the same motions for her skin to change?Mice and keyboards aren’t inherently athletic, but her hands are proof that skill, discipline, and consistency are necessary for greatness in all specialties.
“Interesting,” I murmur.
Kole clears his throat.
Oh shit.
It’s Penelope’s first time meeting these people—the people she’ll work with every day for years—and here I am, intimately inspecting her hand in front of them as though I have every right.
“Apologies, Ms.Miles.I—”
“It’s okay, everyone, I didn’t replace your CEO with an alien or a robot.This is normal for us.He treats me like a little sister because he’s been friends with my brother since we were kids,” Penelope says.
I cringe internally at her explanation but allow her the dignity the half-truth provides.With a smile that begs for forgiveness, I lower her hand and give a farewell stroke to her skin as I reluctantly release her.
“Again, apologies.Don’t let my slip up alter your opinion of Ms.Miles.I hired her because of her skills, not because—”
“Don’t worry, boss,” Mr.Zhen interrupts.“Going by her hands, she doesn’t need your endorsement; she’ll prove herself on her own.Show her to her desk and leave her to it, yeah?”
When the crew responds with overall agreement, I follow his suggestion and lead her to her workspace.She blows out an unsteady breath but approaches her computer with a determined glint in her eyes.
With a quirked brow and chin tilt, she dismisses me.Her small smile as I turn away ensures me she won’t hold a grudge despite me embarrassing her.
I close myself in my office and settle at my desk to answer the end of day emails Mr.Thomas marked as important.
After moving a few things around on her desk, Penelope sits in her chair and glances around.
Our eyes meet through the glass.
That’s right, sweet pea, I’ve got you right in my sights.Right where I can watch you.Protect you.Support you.Cherish you.
She tucks her hair behind her ear and looks away, breaking eye contact with me, but awareness emanates from her.Even when she tries to duck behind her computer, the angle of her desk prevents her from blocking my view of her face.
As her coworkers accept her into their fold and take turns checking on her as she explores our current systems, I relax and peel half my attention off her to focus on work.
Peace flows through me as I complete tasks with her in my periphery, and I relax for what feels like the first time in my adult life.
I startle and wipe the goofy grin off my face when the executive floor secretary, Ms.Kim, knocks on my door.I open the folder in front of me and call her in.She struts across my office and places a steaming mug of coffee on my desk.I ignore her blatant attempt at drawing my attention to her cleavage as she lingers half bent in front of me, and I pick up my pen.She slides the coffee closer.
I only drink one cup of coffee per day and never this late.Most employees will clock out in less than half an hour.
“Thank you, Ms.Kim,” I say as I sign the document.
“Can I help you with anything else?”she asks.
Her voice grates down my spine.
“No, thank you.”
“Are you sure?”
