CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
HANK
Monday morning, Angie and I sit in my car in the office parking lot, each drinking coffee from paper cups while people in business attire hurry through.
“After years of effort to make my job secure and reliable, the offices are weirdly daunting. It’s like I returned to civilization, and now everything is different.”
“I wish you could hide in tech with me all day,” Angie says.
“I’ve got meetings on my schedule. I’m sure Darryl Peterson will have his eye on me, too.”
“Most everyone at work has been sincerely concerned for you,” Angie assures me. “And for Elliot. The tawdry gossip has only risen to a murmur.”
I glance at my phone. “He’s at the protest today. I hope it goes smoothly.”
I’m proud of Elliot for doing this and showing up for his friends, but I’m still concerned. He’s been full-speed ahead since our rescue. At least I had some forced time off.
“The media attention on you seems to be easing,” Angie says. “Fewer ridiculous conspiracy theories, although romantic speculation continues.”
I shift in my seat. “If things keep going well with Elliot, eventually, I’ll have to tell Darryl Peterson that I’m seeing his son. I have no idea how that confrontation will turn out, and I’m learning somewhat to live with the anxious professional uncertainty. But I hadn’t fully appreciated how awkward it would be in the interim. Secret relationships are stressful.”
“He’s uptight, but try not to take on Mr. Peterson’s issues,” Angie says. “Not now, especially. After what you and Elliot went through, you get all the space you need to work things out together.”
I nod, encouraged. “Thank you. And thanks for agreeing to come to game night at his place.”
“My pleasure. With the tea thing, it sounds fun. And it means I get to spy on you and your new man with the sexy beard.”
“He really is growing it in,” I agree, appreciating.
Angie taps the time on the dashboard, and I nod. Gathering up my determination, I head into the office with my sister by my side.
Everyone we pass double-takes and tries not to stare at me. It makes me self-conscious of the ways I still look weathered, the dry patches on my skin, a sunken quality to my eyes that’s lingering. At the front desk, where we check in, the workers get wide-eyed while Angie monotones about traffic patterns to distract from the awkwardness. And in the elevator up, a woman I don’t recognize clearly texts about me while inches away.
It’s bothersome. I’ve spent every working day here for years, but the life I used to know feels impossibly distant.
At Angie’s floor, she puts a hand on my shoulder. “See you at lunch?”
I nod. “Enjoy your morning.”
When I step off the elevator, the office hums with energy, keyboards clacking and phones ringing. There’s an open concept in the middle with large wooden tables and wood-panel dividers,and offices with closed doors all around. I take a moment to reorient, familiarizing myself with the steady, busy rhythm again.
My coworker Ned appears in front of me with a mug that reads “Ned’s Mug.”
“Hank! I heard you might be back today.” He thrusts his hand forward. “Good to see you! We’re all just thrilled that you didn’t drown.”
I take his hand and shake it. “Thank you. It’s good to be back.”
Ned eases back on his heel. “Quite a hubbub around here.” He chuckles abruptly. “Although I suppose you’re my boss now, aren’t you? Probably bad form to repeat the office gossip to you.” Ned sticks his hand out again. “A promotionandyou didn’t die! What a month you’ve had.”
I shake his hand again. “Thank you again, Ned. And no need for formalities now that you report to me. You’re always welcome to stop by my office.”
“Glad to hear it.” His face falls. “Shame about casino night, though.”
“What about it?”
“They’ve canceled the tradition. After everything that happened, management has decided it would be upsetting to repeat the event. Seems the boat company was cut-rate, too. But I suppose all good things must come to an end.”
I manage to hide my excitement with a concerned nod. “Yes. It seems so.” Strange, though, that the boat company was cheap. I know from the internal books that plenty of funds were pushed toward casino night.
