Read Online Corporate Cowboy by Bella Masters - Free Book Online

of it. While I stand looking at the schedule, noticing that James from New York is off today, I hear someone step up behind me.
    “There you are. I was worried about you, Emma. You didn’t answer a single text or call all weekend!”
    Candy. I turn toward her. “I’m so sorry.” I shrug, wondering exactly what to tell her. “It was a weird weekend. Complicated.”
    “Oh? Want to talk about it? I was going to show you around town, take you out for a drink.”
    “I know. Maybe…” Should I confide in her what happened with Gage? I’m not sure, though it would be nice to talk this over… “Could we can have lunch today? Or drinks after work? I’d like to…chat about something.”
    Maybe.
    Candy pulls out her cell phone and scrolls. She looks up. “I’m free for lunch if you can do it early. Maybe eleven-thirty?”
    I glance back at the schedule. “I don’t know.” I run my finger down my day. “Looks like I get a break at eleven.” I turn back. “Is that too early for you? And I think I have to stay in the hotel. Do you mind the restaurant here?”
    Then I think. How can I talk about Gage with her here? Goodness, he probably has the place bugged!
    Certainly not. My brain is playing tricks on me. Totally paranoid.
    Candy smiles and nods. “That is actually better. I have a meeting at twelve-thirty. I didn’t eat breakfast and I’m already starved.”
    “Great.”
    Candy leans in and touches her cheek to mine. “I gotta run. Glad you are okay. I’ll meet you at the Bistro at eleven.”
    ****
    The morning sails by smoothly and without incident. Being Monday, there are a lot of departures and, of course, a million people checking their bills, getting charges removed, and the like. Three of us are working the desk, and I barely have time to say a word to either of my co-workers. That is okay. I’m not here to make friends, just some money. I really just want to work and get my mind off other things.
    Still, I’m thinking about going back to Charlotte. I suppose the next few days will help me decide.
    I look up to see Chad, Mr. Parker’s assistant, standing in front of me.
    “Miss Lavender, may I speak with you please?”
    “Of course.” Puzzled, I move away from the computer station, taking a moment to log out. I glance to my watch and notice it’s almost eleven.
    “Over here.” He motions toward a conversation pit in the center of the lobby. I leave the desk area and join him. We stand instead of sit, and I realize this is likely going to be a short conversation.
    Shit. I’m fired .
    “Miss Lavender,” he begins, “I’m here to talk about your position.”
    I knew it.
    “We need to set up a time to go over the details of your promotion with the Human Resources department. We have tentatively scheduled the meeting for two o’clock this afternoon, pending Mr. Parker’s schedule.
    Holy crickets. The job is for real? But—
    “Mr. Parker needs to be there?” I query.
    He nods. “Yes, of course. He insists.”
    I bet he does.
    “It seems you have a break at two, so there should not be an issue. Correct?”
    “I, uh… I haven’t checked the afternoon schedule. I’m sure it will be fine though.”
    Chad stares. “Of course it will be fine. We’ll expect you at corporate headquarters at two o’clock sharp unless you hear differently in the meantime. Ask for me when you arrive. Good day, Miss Lavender.”
    He turns and leaves. I stand watching him go, feeling like I am slowly being sucked into something out of my control. The promotion is for real.
    Which means, perhaps, I should stick it out in Billings a little longer. I do have the student loans to pay off. At least this is a job, and a promotion would mean more money….
    It all seemed rather surreal though. A promotion?
    And what does this promotion have to do with the fact that Gage Parker wants to fuck me?
    “Emma?”
    Slowly, I turn to see Candy walking toward me. She stops and cocks her head sideways. “You don’t look well.