Page 187 of Enthrall Shadows
“What is it?” She walked over to my desk.
“Our new flavor.”
Jen looked intrigued. “Does it require FDA approval?”
A question a good employee might ask if they wanted to guess how long it would be before we launched the product.
“Just the packaging.” We already had that.
She accepted the envelope. “I’ll drop it off on the way to lunch.”
“Careful,” I joked. “That’s a billion-dollar brand in there.”
“Thank you for trusting me with it.”
“Always,” I said. Watching her go, I added, “Jen.”
She turned back, her expression full of innocence. “Yes?”
“What are your hopes for the future with Cole Tea?”
Her lips quirked and I saw a glimmer of doubt.
“That’s okay,” I said. “Have a think about it.”
“I appreciate that,” she said softly. “I love it here. If you believe I’m ready to take on more responsibility, I’d be willing.”
I’d never been one for corporate games.
Shay’s department usually handled all those dark deeds needed to keep us safe.
“Is a promotion on the table?” Jen asked playfully.
“Let’s talk tomorrow,” I said.
She left my office, and I immediately shot off a text to Shay to let him know that Jen was headed for the elevator.
After a minute, I got up and walked through the office door, glancing at her workstation, the place she’d sat for months greeting everyone and guarding my office. She’d gotten close to me.
I’d always believed I was a good judge of character, trusting my employees with so much.
I pushed the button for the executive elevator and when the doors opened, I stepped inside. Turning my back on that incredible city view, I counted down the numbers until I reached the ground floor.
The doors slid open on the foyer and I stepped out and headed toward the corner tea shop. I needed something to soothe my stress so I ordered an Earl Grey.
The barista became flustered, as usual, when I asked them to make my order. I never meant to intimidate them, but this time I couldn’t be bothered to rally a smile.
“You, okay?” said a familiar voice from behind me.
I turned to see Cameron standing there.
My shoulders relaxed as some of the tension I was feeling slipped away. He knew I needed company, needed someone who could understand what this violation felt like. Cameron had driven all the way down here to be with me.
“Thank you for being here,” I said.
“You know this isn’t a personal attack, right?” he said. “It’s just about money.”
I gave a nod that I got that.
