All of my muscles tightened because that was exactly what I’d done, hadn’t I? I hadn’t been thinking; I had simply reacted.
I rubbed at my brow, frustrated. I owed someone an apology.
“Connor,” my father called out as everyone filed out of the room.
I turned to face him, his full head of pepper-gray hair, his brown eyes so similar to mine, his chin held high. His suit had been pressed to perfection, not a wrinkle in place. This was my father in his truest form—to the world, to his company, to me.
My mother patted my shoulder before walking out. Her little gestures indicated that she’d been trying since I’d been home. Trying to be the mother she never had been—because Nana had taken that spot.
Automatically, I straightened to meet my father’s stance.
“Rebranding?” One word heavy on his tongue.
I nodded. “It’s a way to give the company a new look while capturing new clients.”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ve seen this done time and time again with struggling companies. This was their one game changer to bring them back to the black.”
“So, you have a plan in place?”
“Yes. A solid plan,” I lied through my teeth, but this was where I was going to fake it till I made it.
“Okay. We’ll see what you come up with.” My father nodded. “When you’re ready, you can present it to the board, and we can go from there.”
I nodded. “Okay. Sounds good.”
He about-faced, and I almost saluted him as though he were a general.
When he was out of my vicinity, I rubbed at my temple, letting out a long sigh.
Shit, I had a plan, but it would only work if Charlie was on board.
Charlie
My ears burned unbelievably hot, the heat spreading to my forehead. My cheeks warmed, and I could imagine what my face had looked like at that meeting. I stormed out of the conference room and back to my desk. I fired up my computer and logged in, diving back into work because that was what I did.
Job. Job. Job. I need money, money, money.
“Hey, Charlie,” a mousy voice piped up behind me.
I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. It was Casey. I was sure Alyssa was right behind her.
“Connor is Connor Colby?” I gritted my teeth.
I didn’t know if I could forgive him for embarrassing me in front of all of management. My fingers tiptapped against the computer. Maybe I could call in sick—but for the rest of the month. I wanted to pretend that this didn’t bother me, but it did, especially after everything I’d said about his company, about his chocolates and the branding. And not only had I said these things multiple times in front of him, but today, I’d also said them in front of Thomas Colby, the CEO.
“Connor is Connor Colby,” I repeated, mostly to myself.
“Yeah … Connor and Kyle Colby. I kind of grew up with them,” Casey said.
I peered up at her and then set my gaze back to the computer. Why hadn’t I put two and two together? She had mentioned that at the candy wall on my very first day. But she’d also introduced me to Connor and not mentioned that he was the CEO’s son.
It was like Casey could read my thoughts. “By the time I came back for you on your first day on the job, you’d already introduced yourself and seemed comfortable around him. Plus, since it was your first day, I think I was just too worried about making sure that you were okay and that you knew where the break room and the facilities were that I didn’t even bother to mention that he was the Connor Colby, not just Connor in a weird outfit.”
“Casey”—Alyssa’s voice was heavy with disdain—“details matter, baby. This is what I’ve been telling you. The smallest details matter.”
I rubbed at my forehead and placed my fingers back at the computer and keyboard. “Why was he wearing that candy-cane suit?”
Unless all CEOs and upper management wore those suits for no reason.
“Kyle and him always make these stupid bets. And we’d just gotten the factory uniform. I’m assuming, for whatever reason, that Connor lost a bet.” Casey sat at the end of my desk, her ankles crossed. “It’s weird. He never puts anybody on the spot like that. That was really out of character. I mean, I don’t know why he would even do that.”
“I have my ideas,” Alyssa said, which forced Casey to stare at her. Casey paused, waiting for more, but Alyssa shrugged and simply said, “But I’ll keep my suspicions to myself. What did you exactly say?”
“That I hated chocolate and candies and that the packaging for Colby’s chocolate bars was outdated,” I groaned and rubbed at my temple.
Goodness, why did I have to be so honest at times? Why couldn’t I keep my thoughts and ideas to myself?
I turned to face them fully and placed both palms over my eyes, rubbing them as though I were just waking up from deep slumber. Casey and Alyssa laughed, and deep-seated humiliation prickled my skin.
I stared at them, my look incredulous. “It’s so not funny, guys. I need this job.” I jutted out my chin, the anger straightening out my shoulders. “He didn’t once tell me he was the Connor Colby, the son of the CEO. He told me he was the head of marketing. And why did he put me on the spot and force me to say all those things in front of Mr. Colby? I’m so annoyed.” I could feel the vein at my temple pulsing.
Alyssa placed a consoling hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “It’s fine. He’s leaving eventually, and you won’t have to deal with him.”
“Leaving?” As soon as the word left my mouth, my shoulders slumped.
“Yeah. He came back to turn Colby’s around. This isn’t his permanent job. He has a hotshot bank job in Manhattan that he has to get back to.”
“Oh …”
Alyssa waved a hand. “Anyway, this calls for drinks again after work, on me.”
Casey slid up beside me and frowned, pushing out her bottom lip. “Details do matter. I’m sorry.”
There was no way to be mad at Casey. Unless you were the Devil himself, but even the Devil, I assumed, could be won over, especially by this cute, little, mousy girl.
“It’s fine.”
It wouldn’t be fine, but I’d just have to get over it. And I would … eventually.
“I’ll just drink my embarrassment away tonight,” I sighed.
Casey laughed, pointed at me, and shot her finger like a gun. “After work, five thirty, at O’Malley’s.”
“Yes. Be there for happy hour. All right?” Alyssa patted my hand. “Don’t worry. Everyone will forget what you said in the morning.”
Doubted that, but I smiled for her benefit.
Work had been my safe haven recently. Especially when I preferred staying at Colby’s and working late and hanging out with my friends at work over going home to my mom and her new family.
I just hoped I wouldn’t see Connor around. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not a week from now.
Chapter 6
Charlie
I’d finished hooking up ten desks to the new network, and I’d done it by skipping out on lunch with Casey and Alyssa. I was way ahead of schedule and pretty damn proud of myself. I’d pat myself on the back if it wouldn’t look hella awkward.