“Okay, great. Wait. For your job?”
“That’s what Dawn said,” I say, trying not to cry.
“I’m not looking to replace you. Jesus! I’m sorry. I’ll call her. She’s gone for the day, but what is her cell phone number?”
I have the number on my phone, and I rattle it off to him.
He dials and won’t look at me while we wait. I’m not sure if he’s pissed that I found out or if he’s distraught over this situation. “Dawn, who told you to open a search for a new admin?”
He listens a moment.
“I want you both in my office tomorrow morning at seven. Make sure he’s here, too. All work on this project needs to stop immediately. Your number-one priority is staffing for the manufacturing of these new solar films. I’ll see you both tomorrow morning.”
He hangs up the phone and smiles.
“That’s handled for now. What else?”
“Here are the other messages.” I hand him a sheet of more than a dozen calls. “I’m happy to dial these for you.”
He takes a deep breath and nods.
I return to my desk and for the next two hours, I dial and find the person looking for him. Once I do, I pass them over.
“This is the final call, and it’s Linda Hilgers, your IP attorney.”
“Thank you, Corrine. It’s after nine. Call Brian, and you can head home.”
“Thank you, Mr. Graham. He’s sitting here. Ben is here waiting for you, too. See you in the morning.”
Brian escorts me outside to a waiting Suburban.
“I’m really sorry you have to do this,” I tell him.
“Oh, I don’t mind. You’re far prettier than Mr. Graham anyway.”
I chuckle. “I’m not sure your wife would appreciate you saying that.”
“I already told her. She knows. Mr. Graham is good to us, and she thinks he’s much more handsome than me.” He grins as he opens the door. He’s teasing.
“Let your wife know Mr. Graham got a marriage proposal today from a woman he’s never met.”
“That’s crazy. Mr. Graham’s a good guy, but that’s totally whacked.”
“Any recent pictures of the twins?”
He hands me his phone. “Check them out.”
“They’re getting so big.” The two boys are mini versions of Brian with giant grins and look like they’re up to no good.
A few minutes later, we pull up to my apartment building. “I’m really sorry about this morning,” I tell him. “I forgot. I won’t forget tomorrow morning. Promise. I’d like to leave at six-thirty, if that works for you?”
“Not a problem. Mr. Graham wants you escorted. I do as I’m asked. I’ll meet you here at six-thirty.”
“Thank you for making me feel better.” I begin to get out of the car, and suddenly Brian is standing before me.
“I’m sorry. Mr. Graham insists that I walk you to your door and make sure everything is okay in your apartment.”
“Brian, that’s really not necessary.”
“I’ll lose my job if I don’t.”
I let out an irritated sigh. “Fine, come with me.”
I stomp up the stairs and put my key in the lock. As I open the door, my two roommates turn to look at us. They’re watching the latest episode of The Bachelor.
I turn to Brian. “All is safe.”
“I’ll be here tomorrow morning at six-thirty.”
“Thanks.” I shut the door behind him.
“Who is that?” Stacy asks.
“Did you hear about the debacle downtown yesterday?” I ask.
She nods.
“The box was sent to me, so now my boss has assigned me a bodyguard.”
“You work with the hottest guy in tech, and he requires a hot bodyguard? Your life is amazing.”
“If this is amazing, I’m giving up and going home. I’m exhausted. See you tomorrow.”
“Just a reminder, Sean and I are going to Mexico for a week.”
“That’s right. Have a fantastic time. Angela? Will you be around?”
“I have a trade show in Orlando, and I’m extending a few days for some sunshine.”
“You both have incredible lives. Have a good time. I’ll be slaving away here.”
I wash my face and stare at my reflection in the mirror. I think I see a gray hair, and my crow’s feet are getting deeper. Ugh. Maybe I should go find a quiet, peaceful job at home in Houston. The cost of living is somewhat affordable, and there’d be no one sending me poop bombs, so I wouldn’t have to deal with bodyguards. But then again, there’s no Jackson Graham there either.
I crawl into bed. I’m a little jealous that the girls are getting out of town to warm places, but I like the idea of having the apartment to myself. I’m behind on my sleep, and the stress has made for too many short nights. At least I’m halfway to the weekend. Then I can sleep. I fall asleep dreaming about Jackson.
When the alarm goes off, I wake up a little off-kilter. It takes a few moments for my brain to engage.
At six-thirty, I’m ready and waiting in my apartment lobby. Brian is right on time.
“You should wait for me in your apartment,” he says as he jumps out of the car and opens the backseat door.
“I didn’t want you to wake my roommates. Plus, I’m locked in the lobby, so no one can nab me.”
“You don’t lose many arguments, do you?” he asks sardonically.
“I wish that were true. People have confronted me about what happened on Wednesday, and I haven’t done so well there.”
Brian becomes hyper-alert. “Has anyone confronted you with a weapon or touched you?”
Crap. “Brian, I’m exaggerating. I hear whispers. One person told me he was sure I sent the box to myself and got on my knees for Mr. Graham to keep my job. The others are contributing to a death pool.”
“Death pool?”
He’s looking very serious. I need to tone it down and be factual.
“Meaning the death of my employment at Soleil Energy, not death of my person.”
“Have you spoken to Mr. Graham about this?”
“Absolutely not, and you won’t either. I also get slaps on the back and praise from the lazier people in our office, but many are angry with me because they think I was behind the mess. If Mr. Graham gets involved, it’ll only get worse.”
“I think you need to speak to him,” Brian insists.
“No. He’s not going to fight my battles, and that will only make it worse.”
When we arrive at the office, Brian parks in front of Starbucks. As we cross the busy street, he’s close behind, making sure I’m safe. At the counter, our coffee is waiting. I hand a cup to Brian. “Doctor this as you need, and I’ll order you a proper drink tomorrow.”
“Thank you. Black is perfect, but you didn’t need to get me coffee.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s the least I can do if you’re getting less sleep than I am.”
“It’s part of the job,” he assures me.
We walk across the street and into the building. It’s just before seven, and we get into the crowded elevator. I see looks of disdain on several people’s faces. I cringe when I see Dan from IT.