Jennifer just nodded and swallowed back the tears burning her eyes.She watched Dottie knock on Grant’s door and walk in before closing the door.
She concentrated on breathing rather than what was being said through the heavy wooden door.
****
Grant
“Sir, there is someone here to see you,” Dottie said after she closed the door behind her.
Grant’s bloodshot eyes narrowed on her.“Mrs.Arnett, I thought I asked to be left alone.Now, I’m not asking.It’s an order.Take a message, and I’ll get back to them.”He bent his head back to the papers, dismissing her.
“Sir.I think you’ll want to see her.”
Grant’s head snapped up.“Who?”Hope and relief were clear in his voice.
“Jennifer.Do you want me to send her away?”she asked, knowing full well that’s the last thing he’d want by the look on his face.
“Give me five minutes before you send her in, then go home early and lock the door behind you,” he said as he moved papers around on his desk.
Dottie smiled at the animation in his voice.
“You got it, sir.I hope this will take care of your sucky attitude.”
His head snapped up again.He’d never heard Dottie speak like that.His brows relaxed when he caught the sparkle in her eyes.
“Get out of here,” he said with a small chuckle.
Dottie came out and closed the door behind her.She walked quickly to her desk and started putting things away for the day.
“He said he’d be able to see you in a minute.He had to do something.Do you want to have a seat?”
****
Jennifer
Jennifer’s shoulders sank, and staggering despair rose in her throat.Maybe this was a bad idea.
“If this is a bad time ...can I leave a note for him, tell him he can get back to me if he wants?”she said as she slowly backed away toward the elevators.
“No,” Dottie said anxiously.She had a feeling if she let this woman leave, Mr.Batali would probably fire her.“He wants to see you.”Dottie softened her voice.“You can wait a minute, can’t you?”
Jennifer hesitantly nodded as she bit her lip.“Um, yes.I’ll stand over here if you don’t mind.”
“Oh no, dear, I don’t mind at all.You’re just fine.”Dottie organized her desk and started to shut down her computer.She stood and walked to Grant’s office door.“Are you ready, hun?”She almost smiled at how nervous this woman was.She’d shake right out of her shoes if she didn’t watch it.“Come on.”She opened the office door.“Sir, Jennifer is here to see you.”She gently nudged Jennifer through the door and then quickly closed it.
